Planning commission backs lowering Riverton historic‑site age threshold from 75 to 50 years

Riverton’s Planning Commission voted to recommend that City Council amend the Riverton historic sites ordinance (PLZ 25‑5001) to lower the minimum age for potential designation from 75 years to 50 years and to clarify plaque criteria and documentation procedures.

Staff said the change responds to the historic commission’s request: under the current municipal code a historic resource must be 75 years old, while state guidance uses a 50‑year threshold. Staff told the commission the historic commission had completed an inventory and could not identify a meaningful set of structures that qualified at the 75‑year threshold, limiting the commission’s ability to carry out its charge.

The proposed revisions also clarify that Riverton will provide an initial historic plaque at the city’s expense but that property owners will be responsible for replacement plaques thereafter, and preserve a limited process that allows the historic commission up to 10 calendar days to document a resource proposed for demolition before a demolition permit is issued.

Commission discussion included concerns that Riverton has relatively few structures that meet a 75‑year threshold and that a 50‑year standard would give the historic commission workable inventory to evaluate. Some commissioners expressed concern that a 10‑day delay for documentation could affect development schedules; staff said the delay is primarily to permit photographic documentation and that demolition permits would still issue after the period.

Commissioner Kiel moved the recommendation to amend section 18.63.040; Commissioner Clough seconded. The motion passed with one commissioner recorded as voting nay. The recommendation will go to City Council for final action.