To update you on the actions the HAR Board of Directors took on Monday at its monthly board meeting, below are the motion and six recommendations the HAR Board of Directors approved regarding the September 15 Public Comment Draft of the Historic Preservation Ordinance.

Houston City Council Member Sue Lovell, Chair of the Development and Regulatory Affairs Committee where the Historic Preservation Ordinance has been referred, and Minnette Boesel, Special Assistant to Mayor Parker and HAR member, provided an update on the changes which have been made to the HPO since the July 19 Public Comment Draft's release.

Dick Hargis, HAR's legal counsel, has drafted language for de-designation, HAR's Recommendation Number 2. 

Motion

It is moved and seconded that HAR supports historic preservation and the City of Houston's efforts to strengthen its Historic Preservation Ordinance. HAR is in agreement with eliminating public tracts from the vote count and the exclusion of the Old Sixth Ward; however, HAR recommends the following changes to the September 15, 2010 proposed draft of the Historic Preservation Ordinance:

1. We recommend the approval in writing of 67% of the owners of tracts in the proposed or existing historic districts.

2. We support a de-designation process for historic districts.

3. We support an appeals process for the denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness with final approval by either citizen appeal board or City Council.

4. We support reconsideration of existing districts with a 90 day time frame for reconsideration of a district by 10% of the property owners within the district. Upon reconsideration by a district, over 50% of the property owners must agree to dissolve and then the district will be dissolved.

5. References to The Commission should be clarified as The Planning Commission.

6. Under Section 33-237, Exemptions, paragraph (b) should relate to both contributing and non contributing structures that are completely or partially destroyed by a natural disaster.

We plan to continue to meet with our Council Members regarding HAR's six recommendations and to also attend the September 23 Planning Commission public hearing at the George R. Brown Convention Center from 6:30-8 p.m. We encourage your participation and visibility at the public hearing and we look forward to seeing you there.

Thursday, September 23
City of Houston Planning Commission Public Hearing
6:30 – 8 p.m.
George R. Brown Convention Center