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1� FROM: APPENDIX "A" 10-85 CITY ATTORNEYS OFFICE INTER -OFFICE MEMO KAREN KIEMNEC EUGE NIA S. SCHWARTZ C DATE: OCT. 21, 1985 SUBJECT: INTERPRETATION OF RIVERSIDE DISTRICT STANDARDS This is to confirm our conversation October 14, 1985, concerning the legal interpretation of the current Riverside Historic District standards pertaining to voting and serving on the neighborhood liaison committee for that district. The standards require both voters and liaison committee members to be homeowners. There is a provision for a land contract buyer to be a voter, provided that the homeowner gives a written proxy to that land contract buyer. There is no mention in the standards of renters, either as voters or as members of the liaison committee. Due to the above silence in the official documents of the district, it is the opinion of Kevin Butler and myself that renters may not vote and may not serve on the liaison committee under the current standards for that district. There is no ability under the current standards for a property owner to give his proxy to a renter in order to enable him to vote, nor is there any provision for a power of attorney to be given to a renter to enable him to vote. Changes in procedures and standards currently in place, which have previously been adopted by the Historic Preservation Commission, may be changed by the Commission by following the same procedures used by the Commission to adopt those procedures or standards originally. A requirement in the standards that they be reviewed by the Commission "at least every five years" does not prevent the Commission from reviewing, and, if they wish, changing those procedures before five years. The Commission can make that review and make any changes at any time, as long as that action occurs within the five year period. The question was asked whether a power of attorney could be required instead of a proxy from the property owner to enable his renter to take part in an historic district election, whether as voter or as candidate. That decision would be up to the Commission, and would not require any authorization by any other • body, such as a bank.