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Trustees expand historic-preservation courtesy review beyond downtown
Summary
The Board unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 3, Series 2026, extending courtesy design review and historic-preservation guidance from the historic commercial core into Oldtown residential areas and designated 'structures of merit.'
The Carbondale Board of Trustees unanimously approved Ordinance No. 3, Series 2026, updating Chapter 16 of the municipal code to broaden the town’s historic-preservation courtesy-review process.
Jared, who worked with the Historic Preservation Commission, said the update codifies existing courtesy review processes so they also apply to Oldtown Residential areas and to identified structures of merit outside the downtown historic commercial core. Jared emphasized the change was intended to provide guidance and encourage plan adjustments that respect historic character rather than to impose new, strict mandates on property owners.
Trustees discussed concerns raised in other jurisdictions about 'demolition by neglect' and acknowledged some buildings are so deteriorated that preservation options are limited. Board members and staff said, where feasible, applicants and the commission try to document historic elements and incorporate respectful design changes.
A trustee moved to approve Ordinance No. 3, Series 2026; a colleague seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Staff thanked the Historic Preservation Commission, Planning and Zoning and legal staff for their work on the update.
What’s next: the ordinance will be codified and staff will apply the expanded courtesy-review process to plan reviews in the newly enumerated areas. The update does not introduce new mandatory preservation requirements beyond existing review procedures.
