07-09-01 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 9, 2001 Therefore, Mr. Oxian asked that this bill be continued until August 27, 2001. Councilmember Varner made a motion to continue this bill until the August 27, 2001 meeting of the Council at the request of the petitioner and subject to the stipulations with regard to the formation of the committee and the study of proposals. Councilmember White seconded the motion. Councilmember Coleman stated that he is not in favor of the designation that is requested under this bill and has expressed several concerns on this issue in the committee hearing. He further stated that he can support this continuance if it allows the opportunity for those who believe that the Council is in fact the hearing of last resort to bring forth any information or proposals that they may think are of merit with regard to this historic designation. However, he does not generally support the notion that these considerations that are brought to the Council thus far override the potential expansion to the Nuner campus and the creation of green space that can be used for recreational activities for the school corporation and green space to River Park. He noted that his allowance for this continuance would be to satisfy the needs for those who feel they may have been denied the opportunity to participate in this process in a public way as this has found its way through the school boards decision making process and as it arrives to the Council. Councilmember Coleman restated that he is generally in opposition to this designation but will support the continuance if it satisfies the need of those to express their opinions on this issue in a specific forum that will be created to look at this over a limited period of time specifically August 27"'. He noted that he would not support any further delays in this matter. Councilmember Kelly stated that he agrees with Councilmember Coleman that this issue should be decided soon. It is very controversial and he urged the committee to do its work as quickly as possible studying all of the issues, make the presentation to the committee, which in turn will advise the Council, so that a reasoned decision can be made whether or not the school should be designated as a historic building. Councilmember King advised that he agrees with Councilmembers Coleman and Kelly and this action is worth doing on the grounds articulated by Councilmember Coleman. He stated, however, that they are entering into some fairly dangerous territory. Councilmember King noted that this is a matter that has been the subject of public discussions for three (3) years. The Historic Preservation Commission has placed interim protection on this property and now there is going to be another delay. The Council runs into the potential of this becoming a habit and when it does it is not fair to the owners of the property. In this particular situation the owner of the property disagrees with the proposed historic designation and has valid community and economic purposes for wanting to go forward and do something different with the property. He noted that whether that is right or wrong the owner has the right to know on a timely basis what decision has been reached. What has happened, through the action of the Historic Preservation Commission, is delay a decision and delay knowledge by the property owner of the future of the building and now the Council is having another delay. He further noted that it may be worth it to allow the public to be heard although the public has been heard on this issue. He cautioned Councilmembers and the public that this shouldn't become a habit. The Historic Preservation Commission has a responsibility for protecting historic resources but likewise has a duty to the property owners to not muddle their rights to use their property and put them into a state in which they can move neither forward nor back. He cautioned that the Council should not have this become something that is a frequent occurrence in their decision making. Council President Pfeifer stated that she agrees with everything that has been said but would like to add that one of the things that the Council should encourage, the school system in particular but businesses in general, that operate in neighborhoods, to always take the neighborhood into consideration when they close large buildings that are located in neighborhoods. People that live in the neighborhood should be an integral part of the planning for what is going to be done to these buildings. This committee is a good example of what should happen in the future when businesses close large buildings that are located in neighborhoods. They need to have a plan for what they are going to do with these buildings and if they do not do something specific with these buildings in a timely manner, then the neighborhood should be included in the discussion and planning of what should happen to these buildings.