(a)    (1)    A commission shall consist of at least five members.

(2)    A majority of the members of a commission shall be residents of the local jurisdiction that created the commission.

(b)    (1)    Each member of a commission shall have a demonstrated special interest, specific knowledge, or professional or academic training in:

(i)    history;

(ii)    architecture;

(iii)    architectural history;

(iv)    planning;

(v)    archaeology;

(vi)    anthropology;

(vii)    curation;

(viii)    conservation;

(ix)    landscape architecture;

(x)    historic preservation;

(xi)    urban design; or

(xii)    a related discipline.

(2)    A local jurisdiction that creates a commission may establish and publicly adopt additional qualifications for a member of the commission.

(c)    (1)    The term of a member of a commission is 3 years.

(2)    The terms of the members shall be staggered.

(3)    A member is eligible for reappointment.

(4)    The appointing authority shall fill any vacancy on a commission for the unexpired term of the vacant position.

(d)    (1)    A member of a commission may be removed by the appointing authority for:

(i)    incompetence;

(ii)    misconduct; or

(iii)    in the same manner as for a member of a State board or commission:

1.    failure to attend meetings under § 8–501 of the State Government Article; or

2.    conviction of a crime in accordance with § 8–502 of the State Government Article.

(2)    The appointing authority shall provide to the member:

(i)    a written statement of charges stating the grounds for removal; and

(ii)    an opportunity for a public hearing to contest the charges.

(e)    (1)    Each local jurisdiction may designate one alternate member for the commission who may sit on the commission when any other member of the commission is absent.

(2)    When the alternate member is absent, the local jurisdiction may designate a temporary alternate.