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Meridian historic preservation plan update: council asks commission to refine options and report back
Summary
Historic Preservation Commission staff briefed council on a SHPO-funded update to Meridian's preservation plan, highlighting goals to identify resources, explore landmarking and district tools, and asking whether council supports adding regulatory or advisory tools; council asked HPC to digest feedback and return.
Cassandra Shifler, the city's arts and culture coordinator and staff liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission, presented an update on Meridian's Historic Preservation Plan on Sept. 9, outlining a SWOT analysis, public outreach and proposed goals and objectives. She said the city received a State Historic Preservation Office grant to update the 2014 plan and that the commission had documented 129 sites eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, of which nine are listed.
Shifler emphasized goal areas including identifying and documenting cultural and historic resources; protecting vulnerable sites from demolition; adding education and outreach; and strengthening commission operations. She described potential tools for council consideration: design and building standards for historic properties, a landmarking program (an opt-in system allowing noncontiguous property recognition), demolition-review procedures, and a register of Meridian historic places.
Council members asked whether the commission currently has the capacity and expertise to take on more regulatory review. The HPC chair answered that commissioners are not ready immediately but could develop that capacity over time if council directed and provided resources. Council members urged the commission to coordinate with the Destination Downtown plan and the Meridian Development Corporation and requested the HPC return after internal discussion and refinement of its recommendations.
Councilman Lock moved (SEG 191) and the council approved direction that the development agreement for the Adeiro Subdivision should reflect the multiple commercial options presented earlier in the year. Separately, council asked HPC to "mull over" the feedback and return with a refined plan and next steps.
What happens next: HPC will review council feedback, coordinate with planning staff and the Destination Downtown effort, and return with a more detailed recommendation on which preservation tools it seeks to pursue and what resources would be required.
