Historic Preservation Commission begins code review on downtown standards, signage and administrative COAs; plans outreach

Commissioners held a study session on Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) amendments affecting downtown design standards, the major/minor alteration chart, window-sign rules and administrative review of in-kind replacements.

Planner Sarah Duesenberry summarized proposed language that would allow properties within the downtown historic district or individually landmarked buildings to have alterations and minor expansions reviewed and approved through the historic preservation COA process rather than automatically being subject to the downtown zoning district's design standards. The draft aims to reduce conflicts between the downtown zone standards and district-specific preservation decision criteria.

Commissioners questioned definitions and how "alteration" and "minor expansion" would be distinguished from "major expansion" or new construction. Duesenberry said the code defines alteration as any change to 1 or more exterior architectural features and that the proposed…