Council declines to designate Clark Avenue roadway as local landmark after members cite maintenance concerns

Shelby City Council voted down a motion to designate Clark Avenue roadway as a local landmark, with council members saying they lacked sufficient cost and maintenance information.

The motion to approve the Clark Avenue roadway as a local landmark was moved and seconded, and council members discussed the item at length. Councilman Martin and others raised concerns about maintenance and snow‑removal challenges for a brick roadway and said they did not have a cost estimate for future repairs. “I just don't feel that I have enough information to saddle future councils and future citizens with this designation,” one council member said during the discussion.

Another council member noted the historic value but said the city needs details on repair timing and expenses before granting a designation that could constrain future work. The council considered the recommendation from the city’s historic preservation commission and reviewed photographic and historical materials included in the council packet, but members repeatedly said the maintenance implications were not flushed out.

At roll call, Councilman Roberts voted yes and Councilman Kellett voted no; council announced the motion failed. The record in the meeting shows additional roll‑call activity but does not capture a full, unambiguous tally in the transcript excerpt; council declared the motion to approve the designation failed.

Council members said the property owner (the city) did not object to the designation and that the item could be brought back with more complete information if desired, but no new action was taken at this meeting.