Commissioners and members of the public used the meeting’s “other business” and public-comment periods to press staff on enforcement and support options for deteriorating historic properties.

A resident raised concern about a visibly deteriorating steeple on Union Street Church, saying chunks of trim are falling and that the steeple’s condition had worsened since it was first reported to code enforcement over a year ago. Planning staff confirmed complaints had been forwarded to code enforcement but said code-enforcement capacity is limited and that staff turnover had reduced response speed. Staff described the available enforcement options in city code, including remedies for “demolition by neglect,” and the commission’s ability to request a six-month delay in demolition while staff seeks funding or other solutions.

Staff and commissioners discussed alternatives short of enforcement: staff noted the city has some CDBG facade grant funds limited to downtown and that a pending state proposal for residential historic tax credits (currently applied only to commercial properties) could expand financial tools, though the legislation’s status was described as pending and not finalized. Several attendees suggested forming a small coalition (planning staff, code enforcement, preservation staff, commissioners and potential funders) to meet with property owners and explore grant or fundraising options. Two commissioners offered to help with grant-writing or owner outreach as private citizens; staff reminded them that if they sought commission endorsement they would have to recuse themselves from any commission vote on that property.

Why it matters: Deteriorating historic structures in public-facing locations present safety hazards and threaten the integrity of historic districts. The discussion clarified the limits of the commission’s enforcement authority (most enforcement actions must be taken by code enforcement) and explored nonregulatory pathways for intervention.

Next steps: Staff said it will re‑raise the reported steeple with code enforcement, pursue coordination with staff and, if the commission requests, evaluate bringing a formal support or advocacy item to a future meeting (with required recusal procedures if individual commissioners become directly involved).