Moline City council debates demolition-delay rules for buildings 50 years and older

Moline City Council members spent an extended session discussing a proposed change to Chapter 8 of the Moline City Code that would allow the city to withhold demolition permits for principal structures at least 50 years old so staff and the Historic Preservation Commission can document, salvage or pursue landmarking options before demolition proceeds.

The change on the table would “allow for demolition permits to be reviewed and possibly delayed for up to 90 days if you look at the total, but it's it's 30 days with a possible extension of 60 more days,” a council member presenting the proposal told the chamber. The presenter said the intent is to create time for research, documentation and removal of historic artifacts and to give a window for potential landmarking.

Historic Preservation Commission members urged stronger formal involvement. Barb Sandberg, a member of the Historic Preservation Commission, told the council the commission’s work is to “identify such structures,…