Council adopts Chalk Level into historic residential design overlay (Option 3)

The Newman City Council on Nov. 25 adopted an amendment to the city's zoning ordinance to add the Chalk Level district to the Historic Residential Design Overlay (HRDO) by approving staff-recommended Option 3.

Planning staff explained three map options developed after a state revision excluded approximately 17 acres that staff and the planning commission had originally proposed to include in the HRDO. Option 3 combined staff and state inputs to restore those 17 acres into the overlay. The HRDO does not set specific material requirements (staff clarified it does not require brick or a specific siding product) but does impose design-review requirements: new ground-up residential construction in the overlay must be reviewed by the Planning Commission to ensure new houses are consistent with neighborhood scale, massing and character.

Council members asked whether the HRDO would unduly burden property owners seeking to remodel or rebuild. Staff responded that the overlay does not prevent additions or remodels and that tax-credit programs may be available to homeowners in the district to help with eligible projects. After brief questions and no public opposition at the hearing, council approved Option 3 by voice vote.

The HRDO amendment will apply to the mapped Chalk Level district under Article 5 of the zoning ordinance; specific design-review procedures and any available tax-credit references remain governed by existing city and state rules.

Next steps: The Planning Department will implement the map amendment and ensure permitting and design-review processes reflect the HRDO boundary change.