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• r Zoning and Vacation Committee Minutes/September 4, 1987 Page 3 Mr. Oxion noted that pursuant to the ordinance, the Council is the appeal body and not the City Administration. Mr. Doug Carpenter questioned whether a study with regard to the appropriateness of a historic district was ever done by the Commission. Mr. Poland noted that standardized cards are used from the State office. Martha Choitz stated that there must be "significant contributions" to the City for such a designation. Councilman Barcome questioned what effect such a designation would have on property values. Mrs. Choitz speculated that although there were not have any firm statistics, it would probably increase in value. It was noted that the first home in the proposed district was built in 1925 and the last home was built in 1980. Councilman Puzzello stated that she had serious concern over the voting procedure and believes that it should have remained secret throughout the entire process. She further believes that the Commission itself should have counted the ballots and that she had concern with regard the use of a "yes" or "no" on the outside of the envelope and that effect on the secrecy. The Committee was then shown a map which indicated those lots voting favorably in blue and those voting against the proposed designation in red. Councilman Puzzello also voiced concern with regard to a map which was being circulated showing the voting results. She reiterated her belief that the vote should have remained secret . Mr. Fedder noted , however , that the petition in opposition to the proposed designation started after the vote was counted and , to the best of his knowledge, that the map in question was prepared after the petition in opposition was circulated. Lynette Nilien stated that she has been on the staff for approxi- mately two (2) weeks and that the staff was required to review the vote in light of the discrepancy in the number of signatures on the petition in opposition to the proposed designation and the actual number of ballots. She noted that each property owner could sign the petition whereas only one (1 ) vote per lot was allowed in the balloting procedure. She further indicated that the geographic area was determined by the neighborhood and those desiring historic status designation. Barbara Brooks asked several questions with regard to both the ordinance and the standards. She specifically questioned which were enforced by the Historic Preservation Commission. She questioned the overinclusiveness and underinclusiveness and which