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Historic Preservation Commission votes to draft resolution pressing city agencies to follow 45‑day consultation rule
Summary
Commissioner Young will draft a resolution asking city bodies to comply with the Georgia statute and the local preservation ordinance requiring a 45-day notice and consultation before undertakings that would otherwise require a COA; commissioners cited multiple examples where they were not consulted.
The Augusta Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to direct Commissioner Young to draft a resolution urging city and affiliated agencies to comply with the state statute and local ordinance that require the historic commission be notified 45 days before a project that would otherwise need a Certificate of Appropriateness begins.
Commissioner Young, referencing both the Georgia code and the city's preservation ordinance, told the commission that "the local government shall notify the historic preservation commission 45 days prior to beginning an undertaking that would otherwise require a COA and allow the commission the opportunity to comment." He said multiple recent projects—including Broad Street improvements and other downtown efforts—had proceeded without consistent consultation.
City staff acknowledged coordination has sometimes been uneven. Counsel and staff noted that state-funded projects are treated differently, with limited ordinance authority in some cases. Counsel summarized: "State funded projects are exempt from these, from this ordinance... They just have to notify HPC 45 days prior to commencing." Commissioners said a formal resolution and clearer lines of communication could increase compliance and recommended a training template for covered entities.
The commission asked staff and legal counsel to accept Commissioner Young’s draft and return the measure for consideration at the next meeting; staff indicated the resolution could then be forwarded to the mayor and commission.
