Before its Sept. 6 regular meeting, the Historic District Commission convened an hour early for another workshop. Commissioners have held other workshops this summer to discuss development of a digital property file database and procedures related to Code enforcement, and on Wednesday one of the items reached the action point.
Commissioner Wendi Super and her husband, Christian, in conjunction with City Economic Development Coordinator Glenna Booth had designed a map-based database for storing the information now in folders at the courthouse. Super and Booth had presented recommendations for the computer, storage drive and scanner needed for the task, and commissioners voted to authorize up to $1500 for purchase of the hardware. Booth said she would place the order and also bring a sign-up sheet to each meeting to schedule volunteer scanners.
Commissioners were less in agreement regarding issues related to Code enforcement. Commissioner Mark Ingram reported Code stipulates a noncompliance claim resulting in a citation involves a fine. He asked who decides on the fine.
Chair Virgil Fowler asked if different violations would get different fines and how to differentiate. For example, what to do about people who complete a project without permission. He recommended they determine levels of offenses, but always provide a warning to the offender before a fine.
Commissioner Melissa Greene pointed out some residents can honestly claim they did not know they needed permission first. Fowler noted that others could dishonestly claim the same thing. Ingram commented, “A constable on patrol does not ask if you were speeding on purpose. If we want them to take it seriously, then we should take it seriously.”
Booth stated the judge determines the amount of the fine, and she thought the process commissioners were trying to create seemed cumbersome.
Other questions raised were how to keep track of what was already approved, if projects were completed as approved, and how to determine fines for the levels of noncompliance. Would there be different fines for contributing versus non-contributing? An initial fine and then if still no compliance after five days, a daily fine?
For perspective, commissioner Dee Bright interjected the commission had set a precedent of approving completed projects that would have been approved if they had been presented beforehand.
Fowler said his goal was to create a process that worked most of the time. Ingram suggested they investigate what other cities did regarding this issue. Fowler said they would continue the topic at another workshop.
At the regular meeting, commissioners approved these applications:
- 102 S. Main – privacy fencing sections around rear patio
- 26 Ridgeway – add side stairway
- 23 Breeding – new fence and gate
- 60 Steele – new fence and gate
- 17 Howell – new construction: single family residence
Commissioners approved these two items on the Consent Agenda:
- 18 Pine – new paint colors
- 216 W. Van Buren – new sign; new paint colors
The Consent Agenda items are Level I applications that the City Preservation Officer believes to be in accordance with the Design Guidelines.
Fowler presented these Administrative Approvals which are applications for repair
and work involving no changes in materials or color but which include changes in roofing color:
- 10 Eugenia – repave driveway
- 156 Spring – replace porch railings
- 264 Spring – repair porch railings
Next meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m. to be preceded by a workshop, time to be announced.