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While many expressed a desire to make the process more user friendly for homeowners in the downtown, other downtown property owners shared their concern for what felt like control and meddling. Unfortunately since that time, citizen committees have been formed creating a layer of confusion and bureaucracy. To many property owners the process has now become exactly what was feared back in 2001. neighborhood preservation groups formed downtown have now become another stumbling block for modifications and improvements to our downtown. The Downtown Improvement Association hopes to truly and finally clarify and streamline this process for property owners in the downtown area. Thank you for taking the time to listen and understand our position. We look forward to working with residents and staff to make a more concise process a reality in our Mr. Huff inquired what the various information about historic districts in the Downtown means in terms of creativity for designers, if this would allow designers to add onto the rear or sides of structures, or if there would be limitations that would restrict the ability of architects. He indicated that the process should be made clear and questioned restrictions placed on residences and their repercussions. He noted that the Department of the Interior standards were meant to be for national buildings and now have been applied to all projects. He thanked staff for what builders have been able to do on a case-by-case basis. Commissioner Blank stated that part of why he was thinking about the ordinance route is that over the years, some homeowners have made it clear that they have given up because of a convoluted system. He indicated that he can cite developers who have come to the City and have asked to make the guidelines specific and clear so they can move forward. He asked Mr. Huff whether this is what he supported in a historic ordinance or something different. He further asked if homeowners would continue to come to the City if the process that exists today remains in place. Mr. Huff replied that he is not supportive of a historic ordinance. He stated that what exists today is what has been in place from 2001, and it needs to be re-defined so it does not handcuff designers and planning staff in evaluating the historic nature of houses. He noted there are groups in town that would look at every single house in the historic Downtown district that is older than 50 years as something that cannot be touched, which he feels is not right because this would not be truly appropriate if it were applied to the entire City. Commissioner Blank stated that his intent with the ordinance is not to handcuff developers but to cut through some of the other bureaucracy the City has encumbered itself with. Mr. Huff stated that he felt a historic ordinance in the Downtown would pretty much shut down the Downtown. PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MINUTES, March 9, 2011 Page 15 of 24