Jefferson City's Historic Preservation Commission wants to see higher standards in the proposed Capitol Avenue and East High Street Rezoning and Overlay District plans.
Senior Planner Eric Barron discussed the plans with the commission Tuesday.
The commission was concerned with one major piece of the East High Street plan, which would require future additions or replacements to residential homes be at the property line, like the downtown commercial area.
Barron said the goal, identified in the 2005 Central East Side Redevelopment Plan, was to create a commercial corridor from downtown through the east side.
However, the commission emphasized several non-commercial properties along that road and its side streets are in good condition. Commissioners said preserving those properties should be a higher priority than converting the lots to streetfront commercial.
Barron and city staff will review these comments before appearing for the Planning and Zoning Commission in June.
The commissioners were pleased overall to see the plan's intentions to preserve the neighborhood character. But their hope is to see more than the minimum components.
The overlay and rezoning plans "are not elaborate historic districts," Barron clarified.
He suggested a neighborhood historic or conservation district might better serve the commission's interests.
Neighborhood Services Manager Jayme Abbott agreed more could be done after the overlay and rezoning are in place.
Councilwoman Laura Ward said she expected property owners in these historic areas might be open to pursuing an additional historic district.
Commissioner Terri Rademan said potential property buyers or business owners should know these properties are in an historic area and should expect restrictions to preserve the nature of neighborhood.
"This is a step in the right direction," said Chairman Art Hernandez. "Capitol Avenue is the heart of Jefferson City's historic area."