Historic zoning on hot seat

Is the Historic Zoning Commission being targeted for extinction? The outline for an ad hoc committee makes it appear so.

McMinnville officials approved forming the committee in July after the city received complaints regarding some of its procedures. At that time, the list of complaints included the Historic Zoning Commission, the sign ordinance, and permits.

Aldermen asked city administrator David Rutherford to compile a list of people who want to serve on the ad hoc committee. He was also asked to make a list that identifies major issues and concerns. The list, which focuses on historic zoning, will be used as a guideline for the committee.

Having the ad hoc committee concentrate on the historic district, and the Historic Zoning Commission isn’t viewed as entirely negative, according to one of its members.

‘The historic commission is in place at the city’s request,’ said Historic Zoning Commission member Scott Wilson. ‘We try and provide protection for those property owners who have gone by the rules and done the right thing with their buildings downtown. If the city wants to step back and look at the commission and those guidelines, they can. We are also open to hearing the suggestions made by the committee.’

Speculation is swirling that the ad hoc committee is the first step to ending the Historic Zoning Commission and the guidelines it upholds.

‘We’ll have to wait and see if that’s true,’ said Wilson. ‘In all reality, the city made a commitment to the property owners downtown. Ending the commission is not fair to property owners who have modified their buildings and gone by the rules. Some people won’t buy property here if there are no regulations in place to control how downtown looks.’

As for who will be part of the ad hoc committee, there is a list of people who have been approached and are willing. Because some people will not be chosen, the list is being withheld until the selection is finalized.

The outline and the list will be presented to the Building and Grounds Committee on Aug. 14 at 6:45 p.m. At that time, they will be asked to approve the outline and select at least five or six people from the list for the committee. The outline includes:

‘ Boundary of the historic district.

‘ Review criteria for recommendation of historic district (H-1) zoning.

‘ Application and permit process.

‘ Applicability of the historic design guidelines.

‘ Completeness of historic zoning ordinance.

‘ Enforcement of guidelines by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

‘ Maintenance and repair of existing buildings in the historic district.

‘ Selection procedures and terms for members of Historic Zoning Commission.