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Landmark commission forwards draft "Historic Mansfield Preservation Plan 2035" to planning commission
Summary
The Historic Landmark Commission reviewed a yearlong rewrite of the city's preservation plan, unanimously voted to forward the draft (HLC 24-001) to the planning and zoning commission for recommendation to city council, and discussed a recent demolition permit for the Dr. Raymond Thomas house and salvaging historic materials.
The Historic Landmark Commission voted to forward the draft "Historic Mansfield Preservation Plan 2035" (HLC 24-001) to the planning and zoning commission after a presentation by the city's historic preservation officer and brief commissioner discussion.
Art Wright, Mansfield's historic preservation officer, walked commissioners through the plan's background and goals, saying the update is intended as a 10-year strategic plan that replaces a cumbersome 1999 document and better integrates preservation into city planning. "Of course, I recommend approval of the new plan," Wright said when he reported that the Historic Preservation Advisory Board voted 5—0 on Feb. 27 to recommend the draft.
Clayton Comstock, the city's newly introduced executive director of planning and development, attended and offered staff support to the commission, saying he is "a phone call away or an email away" if commissioners need assistance.
Commissioners praised the draft. Commissioner Anne Weidek said, "You did a wonderful job of putting this all together," and the commission then moved the plan to the table. Chair Dr. Robert Smith read the motion as moved by Commissioner Jennifer Johnson and seconded by Vice Chairman David Littlefield; the commission approved the motion by voice vote and will now send the draft to the planning and zoning commission for its recommendation to city council.
Wright also reported that a demolition permit had been approved for the Dr. Raymond Thomas house and its historic barn and said the city might pursue a marker program to note significant properties that are demolished. Wright described a San Antonio-style dismantling approach that would allow salvage of building components for reuse; commissioners discussed the logistics of salvaging wide boards from the barn and possible temporary storage at the man house if the structures remain on site.
Other business included routine committee reports and event scheduling: the preservation education subcommittee confirmed dates for a scavenger hunt and car show (the car show will be held on Walnut Street), and Tom (Commissioner Thomas Leach), subcommittee chair, previewed a book-signing fundraiser on April 3 tied to the Foster diaries project. Commissioners were encouraged to volunteer at upcoming events.
The commission took no final action to halt the demolition described by Wright; it approved forwarding the preservation plan and left any development decisions to the planning and zoning commission and city council. The meeting adjourned at 06:10.
