Many parts of University City and Center City are being considered for Historic Designation. Stakeholders in these communities will have a chance on Friday, November 8, to learn first-hand about the associated costs and benefits, and about changes in the nomination and authorization process proposed in response to emergent controversies. The Historical Commission will hold its regular monthly meeting on that date, at 9:00 am in City Council Caucus Room. This is on the 4th Floor of City Hall.
The agenda includes a report by the Commission's Architectural Committee on 22 permit applications which were beyond the scope of routine staff approval. These range from three instances of legalizing replacement windows installed without approval, to removing shutters as part of a rehabilitation.
The last agenda item will be a discussion of City Council Bill 020462. This was introduced in September by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, and would amend the current Preservation Ordinance. Under Bill 020462 the Commission would keep authority to declare individual buildings as Historic based on architectural, cultural, or other criteria. However, it would no longer make the final decision on Districts. Rather, the Commission would recommend areas it considered appropriate to City Council, which would then make the final determination.
The public is welcome to attend and participate in this meeting. Residents of areas with the potential for designation owe it to themselves to learn the implications, positive and negative, first hand. And the time to do it is now -- before a desirable plan is rejected for the wrong reasons, or an unsuitable program gains so much momentum it can't be stopped or modified.
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Al Krigman
