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Commission debates local designation options and plaque vendor; owner consent and ordinance limits raised
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Summary
Members discussed potential local designations (Lincoln House, South Main School, 'Kermit' site), corrected a plaque date for a historic church, and reported a contract with Franklin Bronze Plaques is underway; members noted ordinance constraints and that owner permission is required for building designation.
Commissioners discussed several designation and documentation items, including the former South Main School properties, the Lincoln House (currently for sale), and an interest in recognizing a property referred to as 'Kermit.'
Members debated whether to pursue a local designation as a historic building or as a historic site. Commissioners noted the current local ordinance does not explicitly provide a separate 'historic site' category and that amending the ordinance would likely be necessary for that approach. Several members emphasized that designating a building locally requires owner permission; without owner consent, a building-designation pathway will be limited.
Heather reported staff is negotiating a contract with Franklin Bronze Plaques (vendor scored highest by the selection committee) to produce historical plaques and expects design drafts for review at a future meeting. Jeff reported correcting the construction date on a historic church plaque (listed as 1890 in existing signage; the correct construction year is 1907, per the Ohio History Connection).
No formal designation votes were taken. The commission asked staff to follow up with property owners to confirm interest and to research ordinance language for options to recognize sites or buildings that do not fit the present categories.
