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Fort Scott commission asks staff to draft historic-preservation ordinance tied to CLG program
Summary
Commissioners directed staff to draft an ordinance modeled on Independence, Kan., to pursue Certified Local Government status that would localize some review of downtown exterior work and aim to speed routine approvals, while retaining SHPO standards.
Commissioners on the Fort Scott City Commission voted to direct staff to draft a historic-preservation ordinance based on the Independence, Kansas, template that would position the city to pursue Certified Local Government (CLG) status.
The move, made after an extended discussion about delays in exterior project approvals, was framed by Commissioner Matthew Wells as a way to speed routine approvals for downtown property owners and to make clear which window/door/paint options can be handled locally without repeated State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) reviews. Wells said the change would “put the authority and the power back in the hands of the citizens and the city of Fort Scott.”
Supporters said the intent is not to relax SHPO standards but to avoid routine review delays on simple, repeatedly approved building elements (for example, the three window types SHPO commonly approves). Commissioners discussed tailoring a local ordinance to list permitted materials, colors and window/door options so that eligible projects could be handled at the city level by a historic-preservation committee or design-review process rather than routed repeatedly to SHPO.
Opponents and several commissioners urged caution. They noted CLG status brings additional responsibilities — such as maintaining inventories, meeting reporting requirements and documenting board member qualifications — and that SHPO can revoke CLG status if local decisions fall outside state standards. The commission also heard about potential fines for “egregious” exterior alterations if those violate preservation rules.
After discussion the commission approved a motion to have staff draft an ordinance using Independence’s model as a starting point and to circulate suggested modifications to commissioners for review. The ordinance will return to the commission for further review before any formal application to the state.
Why it matters: Commissioners described frequent delays for downtown property repairs and replacements (for example, a recent La Hacienda window replacement that required SHPO review) and said a CLG-aligned local ordinance could shorten turnaround for routine, SHPO-aligned work.
The commission’s decision is a direction to staff to prepare draft language; it was not a final adoption of ordinance text or CLG application.
