The Fredericksburg Historic Review Board discussed changes to the work-without-approval fee on Jan. 14 and directed a subcommittee to draft a formal recommendation for the board to consider at its next meeting.

Board members said the existing process—staff issues a stop-work order, charges an administrative fee, and routes cases that continue in violation to municipal court—generally works but may not deter repeat commercial violators. Elizabeth (city staff) explained the local municipal court can impose fines up to $2,000 for zoning violations and distinguished that court fines are separate from the board’s administrative fee, which covers staff time.

Committee members discussed options including separate fees for residential and commercial cases. Suggestions in the discussion included maintaining a modest residential fee (example amounts mentioned in the meeting included $300) while recommending a larger commercial fee (examples mentioned included $500 to $1,000), but board members emphasized these figures were discussion points and not final decisions. One board member said a larger fee for commercial projects might create a better deterrent when combined with diligent stop-work enforcement; another member said stop-work orders themselves can be the strongest enforcement tool because time on a halted project is costly to contractors.

The subcommittee—whose members included Elizabeth and Todd (attended earlier)—agreed to prepare a written motion with recommended fee amounts and legal framing for the board and to return at the next monthly meeting. The board also discussed clarifying delivery and documentation of stop-work orders; staff said enforcement now documents delivery with a photograph and follow-up contact when possible.

No fee change was adopted at the meeting; the board will consider the subcommittee’s proposed text and numbers before any recommendation goes to the city council.