Council lowers age threshold for city historic‑sites list to 50 years; ordinance adopted

The Riverton City Council adopted an ordinance amending the Riverton Historic Sites list so that structures 50 years and older can be considered for the city’s inventory, replacing the prior 75‑year threshold.

Ryan Carter, city planning staff, said the 75‑year threshold made it “really hard to find a building that’s 75 years old in Riverton” and noted the Utah State Historic Preservation Office typically uses 50 years as the baseline. He said volunteers on the city’s historic commission asked for the change so the commission could create an inventory and begin outreach to property owners about recognition plaques.

Council members discussed protections and property‑owner concerns; Council Member Broeker and others emphasized that listing is an honorific recognition and said the change does not by itself prohibit property owners from altering or selling their property. Councilmember Broeker noted the city’s historic commission could pursue plaques and that funding for plaques would be subject to budget and likely paid from the commission’s funds.

The council voted in roll call to adopt Ordinance 25‑04 (as read in the meeting). After the vote the mayor and council directed staff to work with the historic commission on outreach and to return with details on plaque costs and implementation.

Ending: The ordinance change creates a working inventory for the city’s historic commission and authorizes staff to coordinate owner outreach and budgeting for plaques and recognition.