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Historic Commission asks city council to clarify design review for 1872 Townsite development
Summary
Commissioners said current code leaves ambiguity about review for new construction on vacant lots in the 1872 Townsite and agreed to ask the city council to direct staff to draft language requiring Historic Commission or design review for new builds, including modular homes.
The Historic Commission voted informally to ask the City Council to clarify rules governing new construction in the 1872 Townsite after commissioners said existing language appears to exempt new single-family construction on vacant lots from design review.
A commissioner said staff interpretation suggested that ‘‘for a single family residence, there is no process’’ under current documents, and that omission could allow a new home — including modular construction — to avoid Historic Commission review. Members said that gap ‘‘needs to be spelled out’’ and recommended the commission present the issue to the City Council so staff can draft explicit language requiring design review or Historic Commission review for all new construction in the 1872 Townsite.
Commissioners agreed Diane would present the recommendation at the next City Council meeting and asked staff to return with proposed wording. Members framed the change as procedural — intended to ensure new buildings fit neighborhood character — not as a blanket ban on particular construction methods. No formal ordinance was introduced at the meeting; the discussion produced a recommendation and assigned follow-up steps to bring the proposal to the City Council for staff drafting and review.
The commission emphasized the change is intended to preserve neighborhood character by ensuring new construction and infill in the 1872 Townsite undergo design review before permits are issued.
