More than 30 people turned out for a discussion of a proposal to change city ordinances governing the Jefferson City Historic Preservation Commission.
No action was taken at Tuesday's commission meeting after an hour-long discussion of the proposal by the Historic City of Jefferson. However, HPC commissioners agreed they would consider the comments about the proposal and then would take the issue up again at its next meeting Feb. 10.
Steve Veile, president of the not-for-profit organization, shared the origins of the proposal going back to the Cole County Commission's former intentions to raze the old county jail and sheriff's house, which is a city Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The organization hired attorney Paul Graham to draft a working document for changes.
"We believed something needed to be done to halt that demolition," Veile said.
Graham believed case law suggested the county government property was subject to city ordinance.
"Fortunately, the county changed its mind and happily the structures are still with us," Veile said.
But the organization continued to look at the options for stronger wording and more authority for the commission regarding demolition applications. Currently, no provision is made for the city or neighbors to prevent even the most historic structures, such as the Marmaduke House or Ivy Terrace, from being demolished by its owners, Veile said.
"We believe the City of Jefferson needs a stronger tool," he said.
The proposed changes would not apply to state-owned or Lincoln University properties.
A significant addition to the ordinance would be the appeal process. Currently, after 60 days the property owner generally may continue with his plans, whether the commission releases the demolition permit or not.
The proposal would extend the commission's review period to 90 days and then if the commission does not release the demolition permit, the owner would appeal to the Board of Adjustment. If that decision doesn't meet the property owner's satisfaction, he may appeal to the circuit court for a final ruling.
Many residents voiced concerns about the costs of fixing up old properties and of government telling property owners what they can or can't do with what they own.
Chairman Ed Meyers said the commission already uses a set of criteria to assess, even if a property is historic, whether it could be refurbished at a reasonable cost.
Meyers then noted the commission's concern for "demolition by neglect" leaving properties in the same condition.
"We need to find some middle ground how to deal with that," Meyers said.
The proposed ordinance changes also would facilitate public hearings regarding potentially historic properties. Meyers noted that was another concern about the county commission's decision process regarding the jail and sheriff's house demolition.
"The sheriff's house is a Landmark. It is this commission's role to protect the history of our community," said commissioner Bill Case.
Councilman Ron Medin voiced concern the ramped up language in the ordinance might "offer false hope" that more historic buildings would be preserved. Instead, he suggested the move might deter potential investors in the older neighborhoods.
"I don't believe the political or judicial processes will get us where we want to be, which is the preservation of historic properties," Medin said.
In other business, the commission:
• Welcomed new commissioner Kevin Kelly, a former civil engineer with the Federal Highway Administration.
• Released for demolition 305 Vetter Lane, a bungalow built in 1900 zoned commercial, where the adjacent teacher supply store intends to expand.
• Released for demolition 1100 Monroe St., a bungalow built in 1925 and owned by Capital Region Medical Center. No intentions were provided on the application.
• Approved a Section 106 review of 1020 E. High St. for eligibility in the Community Development Block Grant energy efficiency program.
• Encouraged owners of potential city Landmarks to apply for the annual awards through the city website.
• Directed city staff to draft a letter to Verizon noting concern for an adverse effect on potential historic properties if it were to move forward with its proposal for a 121-foot-tall communications tower and building near the Ellis-Porter Park. The proposal would construct an access road around the former Missouri State Penitentiary doctor's house, owned and well-maintained by the city's Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department.