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Commission discusses dormant design review committee, Main Street affiliation benefits and open seat
Summary
Atchison commissioners discussed the design review committee's role and the city's Main Street affiliation, noting the committee has never met and that Main Street affiliation has yielded grant and technical resources.
Commissioners discussed an open seat on the city's design review committee and the benefits of the Main Street program during new-business remarks on March 17.
Justin (staff) explained the design review committee is intended to review downtown design-code exceptions but "has not met" because no development proposals have triggered its use. He described it as similar to a subcommittee of the planning commission and said appointments would likely involve a local business owner inside city limits.
City leaders also reviewed the city's affiliation with the Main Street program. Justin and other speakers said Main Street membership has given Atchison access to resources and occasional grant opportunities, including an example in which a property owner received a $50,000 Main Street-related grant for an upper-story residential conversion. The city manager said membership does not appear to have a direct city charge in recent years but noted the chamber and program partners are important participants. He also said a state Department of Commerce Main Street architect, Robert McLaughlin, has been used as a technical resource.
Why it matters: the design review committee and Main Street affiliation shape downtown design, potential grants and the city's ability to guide redevelopment in the historic business district.
What to watch next: staff said they will report back on whether the design review seat requires the business be inside a specific Main Street district and will advertise the open position.
