Historic Commission Faces Controversy Over Property Protections

During a recent meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission, members expressed strong concerns regarding potential changes to local historic designations and the implications for preserving significant buildings and their visibility. Commissioner McDowell voiced opposition to any proposals that might diminish protections for historic properties, emphasizing the importance of maintaining control over what happens to these sites.

Commissioner Gregory raised questions about how changes could affect the visibility of important structures, noting that without proper protections, new developments could obscure historic buildings. This sentiment was echoed by other commissioners, who stressed that their primary role is to preserve and protect the community's heritage.

The commission also discussed a specific property in the Denia neighborhood, rumored to be a large, architecturally significant house in disrepair. Members expressed interest in investigating the property further, with suggestions for conducting an archaeological survey and determining its ownership status.

In addition to these discussions, the commission reviewed ongoing projects related to historic tax exemptions and the upcoming public hearings for the downtown development plan. The public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 PM in the city council chambers, with a follow-up session on September 17.

The meeting concluded with a farewell to a long-serving member of the commission, who will be transitioning to a new role within the city. The commission welcomed her successor, Kathy, who will take over administrative responsibilities moving forward.