Elkhart commission reviews UDO Chapter 15 draft that would add conservation districts and change review rules

The Elkhart Historic and Conservation Commission on July 17 reviewed a draft of Chapter 15 of the city's Unified Development Ordinance that would introduce “conservation districts,” change how some exterior work is reviewed and reduce the commission’s regular meeting schedule to four times a year.

The proposal drew questions from commission members about what conservation districts would allow, how they would be mapped and whether the change is permitted under Indiana law. Deb, a preservation consultant working on contract for the commission, told the panel that under state rules a locality cannot immediately convert an existing local historic district into a permanent conservation district; the process is phased and begins with a three‑year period focused on demolition, moving structures, additions and new construction. “You can make a local district like you've got right now, or you can do a phased district where you map out an area. You start with 3 years as a conservation district … and at the end of 3 years, if a majority of the owners object in writing, then it remains a conservation district,” Deb said.

Why it matters: the change would alter which exterior alterations require a certificate of appropriateness (COA) and which do not,…