Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge stronger historic-preservation rules, clearer DRB procedures in Fort Thomas
Summary
Residents and preservation advocates asked the council to strengthen Design Review Board (DRB) procedures, apply mandatory Secretary of the Interior standards, and require pre-meeting consultation with preservation staff for projects affecting the Tower Park Historic Overlay District.
At the Feb. 17 council meeting, resident Sharon McKnight and others urged the council to tighten preservation protections and clarify DRB procedures after a lengthy Jan. 16 DRB review of a certificate of appropriateness for a property on Alexander Circle.
McKnight said preservation consultant Wes Cunningham recommended denial of the application in January and urged that consultant findings be provided to applicants in advance and that DRB members receive more training on mandatory design guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior standards. She asked that consultant reports and attorney reviews be posted to the city website and attached to future agendas to improve transparency.
Council members and staff discussed options including pre-meeting consultations between applicants, staff and preservation consultants, and possible UDO updates to incorporate consultant recommendations. Several speakers asked for a dedicated meeting to explain the 1 Highland financing, pilot payments and long-term financial impacts to provide clearer public understanding of development decisions that intersect with historic districts.
No legislative change was adopted at the Feb. 17 meeting; council asked staff to ensure relevant reports are posted and to follow up with the DRB and preservation consultant.
