The Historic District Commission of Fayetteville reviewed its list of short-, mid- and long-term goals at its May 8 meeting and approved minutes from the previous meeting while postponing consideration of bylaws and election of officers.

Chair Christine Myers opened the meeting and a roll call established quorum. The commission unanimously approved the May 8 minutes on a motion by Commissioner Sherry Coley and a second from Commissioner Jennifer Didway.

Staff member Kylie told commissioners that short-term priorities identified by members and the public included establishing historic corridors, sustainability work and guided tours. Midterm priorities with more consensus included revisiting downtown development guidelines and updating the historic site inventory; staff said a windshield survey is expected to begin this fall and that reconnaissance surveys would follow. Long-term goals flagged by at least one commissioner included drafting a demolition ordinance and creating zoning overlay districts to protect historic character, both of which staff said are complicated and likely to require coordination across departments.

Commissioners discussed moving the downtown development guidelines higher on the workplan. Commission members suggested that review of the existing downtown design overlay and participation in the downtown master plan process would be a practical starting point. Staff noted there is existing documentation from an earlier planning commission effort that could be shared with the commission for review at the next meeting.

The commission also agreed to defer two items of new business: a proposed bylaws amendment and the election of officers. A motion to defer the bylaws item was made and seconded; Commissioner Mark Harper moved to postpone the election of officers until the next meeting and Commissioner Anne Coley seconded. Both actions carried on unanimous voice votes.

Staff said demolition-permit review (a quarterly demography of demolition) will be on the commission’s next agenda and that staff will circulate existing downtown design standards and background materials before the next meeting so members can identify specific standards they want to address.

The meeting closed with the commission scheduling follow-up work and asking staff to circulate summary materials for the downtown design-overlay standards and the commission’s updated workplan.