Board members discuss how to nominate and designate historic properties

Board members asked about the process for nominating properties and whether the board has criteria to begin designations. A new board member asked how to nominate a site and whether designation precludes additions. Staff said nominations typically require a study by a qualified preservation expert, then review and notice to owners and neighbors. "The code does have some standards, but generally speaking, our city and every other city really looks to the Department of the Interior's guidance documents for historic preservation," a staff member said, and promised to email the code references and process steps to the board.

Board members discussed practical barriers including owner reluctance and the cost of a designation report, which several members estimated had been about $1,000 in the past. The chair suggested revisiting outreach strategies and drafting a letter to prospective owners as a future agenda item.