City Council voted 6-0 to approve a resolution in opposition to proposed changes to the Michigan Local Historic Districts Act, Feb. 16.
Mayor Joe Luginski, who was in Chicago during the special meeting, issued a statement in support of the resolution.
Cara Catallo, chair of the Clarkston Historic District Commission who was at the meeting as a member of the public, said nothing in the proposal improves current law.
“It puts Michigan’s heritage in harm’s way,? Catallo said. “Everything in the bill seems to be an effort to dismantle historic districts.”
David Bihl, member of the historic commission who also attended the city council meeting, said the proposal would make city council an appellate board.
“It would be pretty unusual,” Bihl said. “We have a gem here. They’re trying to weaken the city.”
Existing law provides structure to property owners and district commissions, he said.
“We know what to do,” he said. “This makes it a wild card. I resent it.”
Bob Sowles, commission member and a builder, said the proposal appeals to developers’ desire to tear down old buildings in favor of new construction, and shows no appreciation of heritage .
“Building new is easier and makes more money,” Sowles said. “I can’t believe anyone is considering this.”
Council member Eric Haven said he is usually in favor of local control, but can’t support the loss of uniformity resulting from the proposal
Al Avery said the 10-year renewal and voting rules would place new, unnecessary burdens on city council.
“Homeowners associations aren’t addressed ? that seems odd to me,” Avery said.
House Bill 5232 and Senate Bill 720 would require city residents to vote to renew their historic district every 10 years or it would dissolve, and allow property owners to appeal a denial by their local historic district commision to their city council, instead of the State Historic Preservation Review Board. Advocates said that would increase local control.
The proposal had a first reading in Lansing on Jan. 26 and was referred to the Committee on Local Government.