The Jefferson City Historic Preservation Commission on Tuesday will review its first demolition clearance application to undergo the new demolition ordinance.
Mike Prenger wants to demolish 514 Broadway St., stating the cost to rehabilitate the building would not be economically feasible.
The building was constructed in 1910, according to MidMoGIS. However, Sheri Johnston, the city's neighborhood services specialist, said library records show the building may be older than that.
Since the building is more than 100 years old, it will go through the more stringent demolition clearance process of the demolition ordinance - adopted by the Jefferson City Council in January.
Under the demolition clearance process, the Historic Preservation Commission can approve or deny demolition applications. If the commission denies an application, a property owner can appeal to the City Council.
The commission must decide if the property is a notable structure, considering the historic criteria used for a National Register nomination, along with the items like the visual impact on the streetscape or other properties. If the property is deemed notable, the commission can consider its location, preservation plans, adopted redevelopment plans and building deterioration.
"What is going to be new to the commission members is they're going to have to stick to those criteria that were notated in the ordinance, so you got to make the determination of if a structure is a notable structure," Jayme Abbott, Jefferson City neighborhood services manager, said. "I understand there are a lot of areas in town that have older buildings and yes, (the) community may hate to see those buildings gone, but they were appointed as a volunteer commission to take on the task of determining whether these buildings are 'notable.'
"If they make the determination it's not notable, well they have to approve the application, even though it may be something they don't want to do. Personal feelings aside, they're going to have to look at the hard facts of whether or not any property up for (demolition) clearance meets that notable structure definition."
The building is not on the National Register, in a local historic district or designated as a local landmark.
It is located in the Historic Southside/Old Munichburg District and Neighborhood Plan area, adopted in 2017. Particularly for the area 514 Broadway St. is in, the plan anticipates expanding housing choices by retaining and improving current homes and developing new ones.
Abbott and Johnston said they were cautious since this is the first application and took extra steps to ensure they had the most accurate information, such as going to the library to find an accurate construction date or using resources from local historians. Abbott also told commissioners to study the application before the meeting and to drive by the property if necessary.
"There's a greater level of responsibility to ensure that every step is taken correctly to make the best decision possible for the neighborhood and property," Johnston said.
The Historic Preservation Commission will discuss the application at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 320 E. McCarty St. There will also be a public hearing.
Properties listed in a local historic district also must go through the demolition clearance process.
Under the demolition ordinance, properties 50-99 years old, local landmarks and buildings in a National Register District will go through demolition review. The Historic Preservation Commission reviews applications and recommends approval or denial to city staff, who make the final decision.
Properties less than 50 years old will not go through the demolition review or clearance processes.