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Livingston council updates historic zoning rules to align with state law
Summary
The council approved ordinance 2026-8-1 to update the town's H‑1 historic zoning rules to match state statute, restoring the historic zoning commission's review authority and making properties eligible for facade and other grant programs.
The Livingston Board of Aldermen voted to approve ordinance 2026-8-1, updating the town's historic H‑1 zoning standards to follow state law. The measure, introduced after a presentation by Morgan White, passed after brief discussion with one member opposed.
Morgan White told the council the update would authorize the historic zoning commission to review “the construction, alteration, rehabilitation, relocation, or demolition of any building structure” within the historic district and require a certificate of appropriateness before certain work may proceed. White said the intent is to match local rules with TCA 13-7-407 and restore a previously inactive historic zoning group so the town can qualify for additional grant programs. “The benefits … of being in the H‑1 is that you are eligible for grant money, which includes facade improvements, roof replacements, sprinkler systems, new windows, new awnings,” White said.
Council members asked whether previously completed downtown improvements would be affected and how staff versus commission review would be decided. White said routine, small items could be handled by city staff under guidelines the commission will adopt, while larger projects would go before the full commission. After discussion a motion to approve the ordinance was made and seconded; the presiding official announced the motion passed with one opposition.
The ordinance establishes the requirement that applications in the H‑1 district obtain a certificate of appropriateness where required going forward; it does not require property owners to retroactively change completed work. The council combined the presentation and approval steps and moved the ordinance forward as amended.
