HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2024 Fairhope Historic Preservation Committee MinutesFairhope Historic Preservation Committee
Monthly Meeting Notes,Wednesday January 10,2024
Attendance:Skip Jones,Gary Gover,Amy Molyneux,Cynthia Rush,Elizabeth Williams;Mara
Kozelsky
Agenda:
1)Proposed Ordinance
2)Approval of Meeting Minutes from 12/13/2023
MK called meeting to order at 9:30a.m.
Notes:
1.Skip Jones moved to approve meeting minutes from 12/13/2023.Elizabeth Williams and
Cynthia Rush seconded the motion.None opposed.
2.Proposed Ordinance –Review of December ’s meeting with Chris Williams.Discussion
about his revisions.
3.Preparation for the City Council Presentation January 22,2024.Amy M.agreed to give
the presentation.Discussion of topics.
4.Discussion of other talking points (attached-NOTE:talking points went through the city
for approval and to ensure accuracy).
5.Move to adjourn at 10:30am by Skip Jones and seconded by Cynthia Rush.
Preservation Talking Points
1.The City Council is voting on creating an Historic Preservation Commission.It is not voting
to create Historic Districts.These are two different things.The establishment of an Historic
Preservation Commission is a necessary condition for the City to receive Certified Local
Government Status (CLG).Having an Historic Preservation Commission and CLG status opens up
important grants to the city and its constituents,particularly in relation to storm recovery,and
preservation and maintenance of critical historic infrastructure.Historic Districts take years to
implement and require separate ordinances.
·Note:Although Fairhope has districts listed on the Alabama State register and houses
have plaques,these designations are honorary only,and would remain honorary
unless the city council took future action to pass separate ordinances creating districts
at the local level.
2.What Powers would the Historic Preservation Commission have?The ordinance lists a broad
range of powers,which reflect those stated in the Code of Alabama.The powers relate to
education,promotion,facilitating donations,and making recommendations to the City Council
about various things,ranging from historical properties the city might acquire to establishing
historical districts.The key here is "recommend."The Historic Preservation Commission can
recommend a district be created,but does not have power to create one.
3.Certificates of Appropriateness.The current ordinance states that the Historic Preservation
Commission has the power to "Review applications for Certificates of Appropriateness [CoAs]
and grant and deny same in accordance with this Ordinance and Code of Alabama §11-68-9."If
the City Council created an historic district,the Historic Preservation Commission would have
the power to grant and deny CoAs.However,this ordinance does not create historic districts,so
the power related to CoAs does not apply.
4.If the ordinance passes the City Council vote,will the City limit what I can do with my
property?This proposed ordinance opens access to grants and does not place any limitations
on what people can do with their property.There are many different ways to encourage
preservation that do not impose restrictions.The approach advocated by the Historic
Preservation Committee is voluntary and thoughtful preservation through education,grants,
and related incentives.