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Public commenter and commissioners press for more actionable guidance in Middletown preservation plan; commission flags multiple at-risk properties
Summary
Public comment and commissioners said the draft Historic Preservation Plan is too general and needs local examples, resource lists and clearer guidance on how the commission will apply standards. Commissioners and staff also discussed enforcement and safety concerns at several aging properties, including the Manchester Hotel and Snyder building.
Speakers at the April 17 Middletown City Historic Commission meeting urged the commission to make its draft Historic Preservation Plan more locally specific and actionable, and the commission discussed several at-risk properties in town that staff are monitoring.
Resident Marty Koehler of 508 South Main told the commission that the draft plan relied heavily on national examples and lacked guidance specific to Middletown. Koehler noted that the Manchester Hotel and the Snyder Ford building are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recommended the plan list both National Register and locally designated properties. Koehler said the plan should explain what the city will do differently after adoption, provide examples of properties that might be appropriate for designation, and include resource lists—such as contractors or partner organizations—to help owners carry out preservation work.
Koehler suggested partnerships with local training programs such as Butler Tech and cited Butler County CHAPS as a potential resource for skilled tradespeople. He also urged including local events and buildings (candlelight tours, Windermere, churches and South Main businesses) to tie preservation benefits to Middletown’s economy and civic life. Koehler mentioned the Deardof Farmhouse, which he said was listed in Franklin but within Middletown’s corporate boundaries and was demolished about five years ago.
Commissioners and staff said the draft is still under revision. City staff referenced consultant edits and said city planner Mr. Rodriguez has been helping draft revisions; commissioners asked for more time and additional rounds of edits. Staff said they would circulate submitted comments and the consultant’s next draft for further review.
Separately, commissioners and staff raised enforcement and safety updates on several properties. Staff reported a paper trail has been started regarding removal of decorative brackets at a house in the 300 block of South Main; staff said they would follow up. The Manchester Hotel and the Snyder building have temporary fences because pieces of roof and brick have fallen onto the sidewalk and into the street; a city employee repaired a broken lock on the fence the same day staff reported. Commissioners also discussed other properties on South Main (including the 700 block and 715 South Main) where prior maintenance citations or potential nonresidential uses had been reported; staff said they would investigate recent claims.
Staff announced that Casey will take over zoning administration duties while the present staff member transitions to other city work and that Casey will handle zoning permits and certificates moving forward.
Commissioners did not take formal votes on the preservation plan at the meeting; they requested further edits and signaled they want the draft to be more concrete about local priorities, designation examples and owner resources before proceeding.
