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01 • The APPENDIX A What's Hiding Under the Siding Issue in Florissant, Missouri? A two year struggle between the historic district com- mission in Old Town Florissant and a property owner remains unresolved. The Old Town Commission has de- sign review jurisdiction over 60 blocks of an historic district protecting the character of the French colonial town which was settled by trappers and guides exploring the West. The district and ordinance were established in 1973 and is one of the most well established historic areas in Missouri. The property owner began making changes last Fall to his French colonial house without a building permit or certificate from the commission. The changes planned for the building included vinyl siding, turned posts, a scal- loped fascia board, spindled railing, concrete steps and a stained glass door with the intent of converting the house into the Queen Anne style. The proposed changes do not meet the established guidelines which were designed to maintain the integrity of structures within the district. Since the City originally summoned the property own- er to appear before Municipal Court for not receiving the necessary permits, the issue has been the focus of a series of hearings by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council and a countersuit against the city by the property owner. The latest development is a request by the property owner to demolish the building. The owner has been requested to withdraw this latest application until the St. Louis Circuit Court has ruled on the case. The property, owner has been offered assistance and guidance by a number of groups in the community includ- ing Historic Florissant who offered to properly reside the house free of charge in exchange for a 15 -year easement. Because the property owner was not informed that the property was located in an historic district at the time of property settlement, as required by local law, the local title company has also offered funds to bring the property into conformance with the guidelines. Fortunately, according to former Commission Chair- man Rosemary Davison, the controversy "has not had damaging repercussions" on surrounding communities considering the adoption of local historic district ordi- nances. She stated that the lesson learned by the community which should be heeded by others is that "you have to keep reminding people of the importance of the landmark district, especially new people who are not aware of the stability that the regulations bring to the neighborhood." She emphasized that even in well established historic districts, "you can never let up on public education." Other communities facing major controversies can team from the Florissant experience. "In the beginning it was not taken seriously enough," according to Davison, "a lot of damage was done by the news media before we were able to rally the supporters of the district." The controversy continues in the community. The City Council is considering a change to the ordinance which would allow vinyl siding on landmark structures. The Commission is seeking examples of guidelines or ordinances from communities which have chosen to disal- low the use of vinyl siding on landmark structures. For more information on this case or to send a copy of your guidelines or ordinance, write Chairman Steinbrugh, 406 Rue St. Louis, Florissant, MO 63031. The Comstock Is Not Undermined! Plans for a twenty acre open pit mine to be located in the Silver City area of the Comstock Historic District, Nevada have been turned down by a 4-1 vote by the Lyon County Commissioners. The vote against plans by the Nevex Gold Co., Inc. protects the integrity of this National Historic Landmark. It is the first mining permit ever refused in the history of the County, and perhaps in the State. Larry Wahrenbrock, staff to the Comstock Historic District Commission, and NAPC state rep re- ports, "it is a major step toward protecting the historic district. " The Silver City Residents Association launched a major public education campaign which was a key to the successful outcome. For more information contact Larry at the Comstock Historic District Commission, Box 128, Virginia City, NV 89440.