ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008

By CHRIS BOURNEA
ThisWeek Staff Writer

Upper Arlington City Council voted 6-0 Monday night to postpone the third and final reading of historic preservation legislation to Aug. 25.

Council was originally scheduled to vote Dec. 10 on the ordinance that would regulate the demolition of homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places (also known as "contributing structures"). The legislation would require homeowners to obtain a certificate of appropriateness from the Board of Zoning and Planning in order to complete total demolition of a contributing structure.

After dozens of residents voiced concerns about the legislation at its first two readings in November, council postponed the vote to Feb. 11 to allow more time for public discussion.

At a Jan. 16 meeting, parties representing both sides of the issue came together to discuss how to proceed with historic preservation. The consensus of the group was for council to postpone the Feb. 11 vote and form a task force to study the issue further.

"Whatever the task force reports, it will be council's task to take up the issue," council president Don Leach said Monday. "Leaving this legislation pending demonstrates council's intention to do that."

Leach appointed council member Linda Mauger as task force chair.

"I think to form a task force is the most appropriate next step, and I'm glad we're doing that," Mauger said.

Leach appointed 22 of the 35 applicants who expressed interest in serving on the task force. The task force has 14 members who live in the south-of-Lane historic district and eight members who live north of Lane, Leach said.

"We have worked hard to identify people who represent a broad cross-section of the community and a broad cross-section of experience," Leach said.

The task force is made up of Board of Zoning and Planning members, attorneys, builders and others with experience and interest in historic preservation, Leach said. Members include Upper Arlington Historical Society president Tom Matheny and former city council member Tim Rankin.

"I don't think since I've been a member of council that we've had such a wealth of citizens offering to serve," said council member Mary Ann Krauss, who is also a task force member.

The historic preservation issue has surfaced periodically over the years and came to the forefront again last spring when property owners decided to demolish a historic home at 1935 N. Devon Road. A group of neighbors unsuccessfully appealed the demolition to the Board of Building Standards, BZAP and council.

After rejecting the appeal, council vowed to take a comprehensive look at historic preservation.

Gene King, one of the Devon Road appellants, said he's looking forward to serving on the task force.

"I hope it will air all of the issues," he said, "and encourage council to adopt a reasonable ordinance that will help us all move forward."