The HPC process involves designation of either an area or structure as worthy of preservation, based on a study of the historic or significant characteristics. The City Council adopts the designation. Following that designation, the owner must have changes approved by the City. This can apply to both exterior and interior changes, but often the interior is less protected because there is less connection with the public interest, and it may have already had the historic significance remodeled out of it. The changes are reviewed under a series of criteria, first by the HPC, with a right of appeal to the City Council. One significant issue is that despite City ordinance language suggesting that owners must maintain structures, the government really cannot force an owner to preserve the historic characteristics. Government's power only extends to protecting public welfare by forcing the building to be made safe, and by prohibiting changes. Government's remedy, if a building becomes a hazard that cannot be made safe, is to board it up and eventually tear it down, which of course doesn't serve any purpose. The decision whether to use it , maintain it, or seal it and let it sit, remains with the owner. For that reason, the simplest method is for government to acquire historic properties, or to assist preservation organizations in acquiring them.
Neal Blanchett Lynnhurst _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
