July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Few give in put on proposal (04/08/08)
Portland City Council
By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-
Owners of downtown Portland businesses had a chance to voice concerns about a proposed Downtown Historical Preservation Ordinance on Monday, but few showed up.
Most of the business owners who attended the meeting said they would not object to the creation of an ordinance establishing guidelines for renovations to the facades of downtown Portland buildings.
But the property owners said they were concerned about the cost of the renovations.
"I'm very interested in this going forward," said Greg Franklin, owner of Franklin's Electrical Service. Franklin told Portland City Council members that he knows renovations to the exterior of his business and two other properties he owns downtown are needed.
If the ordinance were adopted, however, Franklin and others expressed concerns that requirements in the ordinance could limit options during renovations and thereby potentially increase costs.
If approved by the council, the ordinance would establish guidelines for future changes to the outsides of downtown structures. The city's mayor, Bruce Hosier, could appoint a three to nine-member Historic Preservation Commission to oversee the preservation guidelines. Council members took no action on the ordinance Monday night.
The full proposed ordinance is available at the city's website, www.thecityofportland.net, by clicking on current events. A copy also may be obtained at city hall.
Only three downtown property owners spoke at Monday night's meeting. The room in which the meeting was held was less than half-full. However, about 30 people attended a previous public meeting about the proposed ordinance.
Kristi Sturtz, who has been working on the ordinance for the city, said several of the people who attended the March 20 meeting had the same concerns as Franklin. She said the property owners were worried that making changes that keep the historic integrity of a building would be more costly.
One of the property owners who spoke Monday also said he felt establishing a historical preservation ordinance would increase the cost for repairs to facades.
"I believe this ordinance would mean more money out of the pockets ... of property owners," said Greg LeMaster, an attorney who has an office downtown.
He suggested that participation in the ordinance be voluntary for property owners. Those who sign up for the program could receive some sort of tax incentive, he suggested.
To help ease some of the financial burden, matching grant funds or tax increment financing (TIF) funds could be used to make some of the improvements, Sturtz said. Downtown Portland is included in the city's TIF district.
Council members are set to vote on the proposed ordinance at the April 21 council meeting. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Portland Fire Station meeting room.
Also Monday, council members:
•Heard Hosier remind them of the North Central Mayor's Roundtable event, which will be held April 17 at Arts Place, 131 E. Walnut St., Portland.
He encouraged the council to attend the 11:30 a.m. event.[[In-content Ad]]
Most of the business owners who attended the meeting said they would not object to the creation of an ordinance establishing guidelines for renovations to the facades of downtown Portland buildings.
But the property owners said they were concerned about the cost of the renovations.
"I'm very interested in this going forward," said Greg Franklin, owner of Franklin's Electrical Service. Franklin told Portland City Council members that he knows renovations to the exterior of his business and two other properties he owns downtown are needed.
If the ordinance were adopted, however, Franklin and others expressed concerns that requirements in the ordinance could limit options during renovations and thereby potentially increase costs.
If approved by the council, the ordinance would establish guidelines for future changes to the outsides of downtown structures. The city's mayor, Bruce Hosier, could appoint a three to nine-member Historic Preservation Commission to oversee the preservation guidelines. Council members took no action on the ordinance Monday night.
The full proposed ordinance is available at the city's website, www.thecityofportland.net, by clicking on current events. A copy also may be obtained at city hall.
Only three downtown property owners spoke at Monday night's meeting. The room in which the meeting was held was less than half-full. However, about 30 people attended a previous public meeting about the proposed ordinance.
Kristi Sturtz, who has been working on the ordinance for the city, said several of the people who attended the March 20 meeting had the same concerns as Franklin. She said the property owners were worried that making changes that keep the historic integrity of a building would be more costly.
One of the property owners who spoke Monday also said he felt establishing a historical preservation ordinance would increase the cost for repairs to facades.
"I believe this ordinance would mean more money out of the pockets ... of property owners," said Greg LeMaster, an attorney who has an office downtown.
He suggested that participation in the ordinance be voluntary for property owners. Those who sign up for the program could receive some sort of tax incentive, he suggested.
To help ease some of the financial burden, matching grant funds or tax increment financing (TIF) funds could be used to make some of the improvements, Sturtz said. Downtown Portland is included in the city's TIF district.
Council members are set to vote on the proposed ordinance at the April 21 council meeting. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Portland Fire Station meeting room.
Also Monday, council members:
•Heard Hosier remind them of the North Central Mayor's Roundtable event, which will be held April 17 at Arts Place, 131 E. Walnut St., Portland.
He encouraged the council to attend the 11:30 a.m. event.[[In-content Ad]]
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