Council hears plan to recertify historic-preservation program; staff to draft ordinance moving CLG language out of land-use code

South Jordan City Council members spent significant time discussing the city's historic-preservation program and the future of a city-owned historic property (referred to in the meeting transcript variously as “Amp Maims”/“Aunt Maims”/“Ant Mames”). Staff said the city needs to recertify its Certified Local Government (CLG) status with the State of Utah and the National Park Service to be eligible for federal preservation funding, and that process requires specific language in the municipal code.

Planning staff explained the National Park Service and state historic-preservation office require the code to include the term “district” alongside “sites” and “facilities.” Staff recommended transferring the CLG language from Title 17 (land use) into Title 2 (boards and commissions) so the historic-preservation committee — not the planning commission — would administer the inventory and related duties. "The National Park Service is requiring 'district' be put into the code in order for us to get money," a staff member said.

Staff said certified local government grants are relatively small (a $10,000 annual maximum with a 50/50 local match) and are intended to be paired with other local planning grants. The council heard that the city had recently applied to the Salt Lake County TRCC planning grant for roughly $90,000 (which would have included CLG match funds) and was denied; staff said the denial appeared to stem from an unclear proposed use for the property. Staff noted the city previously spent about $1.5 million on exterior seismic and restoration work for the house and about $2 million on the adjacent park.

Councilmembers and staff discussed options for the property’s future, including continuing to pursue grant funding for interior restoration, redesigning the interior for arts or studio space, leasing to a nonprofit, maintaining the exterior only, or returning ownership to the Newbold family under adjusted conservation-easement terms. Staff said the family is forming a 501(c)(3) that could pursue funding. "We were denied a grant for about a $90,000 planning grant, of which $10,000 was for the CLG match," staff said. Councilmembers noted the difficulty of identifying a sustainable, revenue-producing public use for the small, two-story house and emphasized accessibility, fire-code limits and long-term maintenance costs.

No ordinance was adopted at the study session. Staff said they would prepare draft code language (including insertion of the word “district”), an amended historic-preservation committee bylaw, and the associated ordinance and resolution; that package will go to the planning commission for the required review and then return to council for final action.

Councilmembers also asked staff to continue exploring grant opportunities, potential philanthropic partners, and the practicality of alternative uses such as an artist studio or modest public programming that could be phased over time.