Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Design Review topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission schedules SHPO training after state law change alters local design review
Summary
Commissioners invited Ariana Urban (SHPO) for a two‑session training in September and October to review Secretary of the Interior standards, and staff warned that House Bill 2447 shifted design review to staff-level objective standards, a change the meeting noted as disruptive and likely to be revisited by the legislature.
At the Aug. 5 session, a commissioner who attended a recent historic‑preservation conference reported that State Historic Preservation Office staffer Ariana Urban could provide training on standards and review practices. Staff confirmed Urban is available for two sessions, likely in September and October, and the commission agreed to add the sessions to future agendas.
A staff member summarized how a recent state law change has affected local review. "House Bill 2447, which by changing one word and two sentences, wreaked havoc on the way we do reviews," the staff speaker said, explaining the law requires certain design reviews be conducted at the staff level using objective standards rather than through commission discretionary review. Staff recommended the training to ensure commissioners and the planning commission understand Secretary of the Interior standards and the proper application of objective review criteria.
Commissioners discussed inviting the planning commission to the training because that body conducts design review for buildings outside the historic district. They also discussed how codified objective standards (for example, Secretary of the Interior guidelines) can be applied in staff-level reviews pending any future legislative changes.
The commission agreed to add the training to the September agenda and to monitor legislative developments that may restore some discretionary review authority.
