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Mrs. DeRose reported regarding last months request by the Near Northwest <br />I Neighborhood for sponsorship of their workshop series. She stated in her <br />opinion there was some liability exposure, but as long as the Commission was <br />satisfied the NNN had ample coverage and some kind of provision for waiver by <br />participants, she saw no reason that the Commission could not sponsor the <br />workshops. <br />Mrs. DeRose reported that at the last Common Council Meeting, Common Council <br />Member Cleo Washington raised an objection to the designation of 310 West <br />Monroe as a Local Landmark based on the definition of Historic Landmark being <br />part of a Historic Preservation Plan that had been approved by the Common <br />Council and Area Plan Commission. She noted on that basis, he suggested there <br />be no vote on landmarking structures until the Common Council was satisfied <br />such a plan existed. Mrs. DeRose said she had found a reference to a plan in <br />the Indiana Statute that gives local governments the power to create Historic <br />Preservation Commissions. She stated the statutory definition of a plan was <br />difficult to interpret. She mentioned one interpretation of a plan is an <br />unfolding thing that changes each time a landmark is created. She added <br />another interpretation would be whenever you create a landmark the plan is <br />amended. She said at this point she had no definitive answer to offer. <br />President Oxian reported the landmarking of two other structures was tabled, <br />but 1601 Kemble (Toth Bank) went through. He noted according to the Legal <br />Counsel for the Council, as long as there was owner consent or no owner <br />objection, the landmarking could be passed. President Oxian suggested sending <br />a copy of the survey report and the approaches to setting up landmarks and <br />historic districts to the Common Council to serve as a plan. Legal Council <br />DeRose noted another possibility was to contact other Commissions adopted <br />pursuant to the 1977 Indiana Legislative Act where there is clearly a <br />reference to a plan. President Oxian said at first the objection of Council <br />Member Washington was based on owner consent, but Mr. Washington was told <br />owner consent could not be used as a basis to turn down landmarking a <br />structure. President Oxian reported at that point Council Member Washington <br />brought up the necessity of a plan. Legal Council DeRose agreed with President <br />Oxian that the survey responded to the question of what buildings are <br />candidates for landmark status. Mr. Duvall inquired if the action at Council <br />level would be dependent on the Council's Legal Counsel. Mrs. DeRose noted she <br />had been contacted by the Common Council's Legal Counsel, but had not <br />understood that this matter was to be decided by the lawyers. Mr. Duvall <br />reported his understanding was the Committee Members felt the matter could not <br />move forward without the clarification of the legal issue and the Legal <br />Counsel was not prepared to give an opinion without studying the issue. <br />President Oxian noted Council's Legal Counsel did give the opinion that when <br />the owner consents or does not respond negatively, the structure should not be <br />prevented from becoming a landmark. Legal Counsel DeRose explained her opinion <br />that if the Council passed a landmark without settling the legal question, <br />then they had waived the issue of the plan being a prerequisite. She said she <br />would research the matter and report to the Commission by the Common Council <br />meeting in February. Mrs. DeRose suggested President Oxian's idea of <br />submitting the survey book and the HPC procedure for creating Local Landmarks <br />and Districts be followed through. Mr. Ed Talley inquired if the Common <br />Council adopted the survey book as the Preservation Plan, would they have to <br />approved it every time a change was made. President Oxian replied negatively <br />and added that it would be stated that any structure rated 10 or higher in the <br />survey has the potential to be a landmark if it fulfills the criteria. <br />