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Commission warned a proposed Common Council moratorium on new local historic districts could jeopardize grants and CLG status
Summary
Commission members discussed a Common Council member's proposal for a five-year moratorium on new local historic-district designations, noting that a moratorium could jeopardize Ithaca's status as a Certified Local Government and risk rescission of state and federal grant funding.
The Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission on May 20 discussed a Common Council member's proposal to impose a five-year moratorium on the expansion or designation of local historic districts, and commissioners warned such a moratorium could imperil the city's Certified Local Government (CLG) status and related grant funding.
A staff member briefed the commission that the council member described concerns that landmark designation can increase the cost and difficulty of producing or maintaining housing, and proposed a pause while the city updates its comprehensive plan and preservation policies. Commission staff explained that the city participates in the CLG program administered by the New York State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service; CLG certification requires a municipal ordinance that provides for landmarking and a functioning local review process. "Placing the moratorium on the designation of historic resources nullifies an important component of our ordinance," staff said, adding that a moratorium could lead to loss of CLG status and the rescission of grant funds the city has applied for or received.
Commissioners noted two grant-funded projects at risk if CLG status were lost: a survey of the Detroit Park area intended to support national register nominations and homeowners' ability to access rehabilitation tax credits, and reimbursement-based grants the city is pursuing for current preservation work. Staff said common council had requested additional comparative data — for example, how many housing units would be added or affected by changing designation rules — and asked the commission to provide input and any relevant documentation for council's review.
Commissioners agreed staff should prepare a memo and additional information for the Common Council, and they asked members to provide comments and evidence the commission should include. No formal position was adopted at the meeting; staff said they would compile a memo for council after consulting commissioners and reviewing the recording.
