According to this latest MDJ article, the city is taking on Historic homes in a major way! Any thoughts?

MARIETTA - Owners of historic homes in downtown Marietta want more protection for their properties, but not too much.

Ward 4 City Councilman Van Pearlberg will hold a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at City Hall to discuss a new historic preservation ordinance with city residents.

“My objective is to inform and educate the community,” he said.

That community includes more than 150 historic homes adjacent to Marietta Square built between 1900 and 1950, with some older homes in Whitlock Heights possibly included.

Pearlberg said a panel of historic preservation authorities would be on hand to talk with residents about different ordinances, including Cobb Landmarks President Daryl Barksdale.

Pearlberg said he wants to see the state-level ordinance in place because under that, communities are eligible for state preservation grants.

He added that all the ordinance proposals should be looked at before a decision is made.

“I don’t think we should put money before property rights,” he said.

The councilman said some residents are worried about the state-level ordinance.

“People are concerned they’re giving up property rights,” he said. “I don’t think they are.”

The city’s historic preservation ordinance requires 60 percent of a community vote to become a historic district.

If 60 percent approve, the area becomes a historic district. Otherwise, no protection is given.

Mayor Bill Dunaway said under this city ordinance, single homeowners and landlords could opt out.

“The state-certified ordinance cannot have opt-out clauses,” he said.

Dunaway added he preferred the state-level ordinance for the city because it would set a standard for all properties, whereas the city’s ordinance establishes different rules for different districts.

“It’s not one size fits all,” he said.

Pearlberg said historic preservation ordinances have been proven to increase property values and bring more tourists to a community.

He said without them, a “checkerboard effect” could take root, where a historic district leapfrogs around homes that have opted out of being historically designated.

“You could have random districts,” he said. “We’re relying on property owners to keep the historic integrity of the home intact, but there’s nothing to require it.”

Some homeowners believe the state-level ordinance would be too strict, requiring residents to get approval from the city for even minor repairs to their historic homes.

Church Street resident and retired businessman Steve Imler, 55, said he wants a compromise ordinance that would preserve homes, but protect property rights.

Imler called his version a “renovation ordinance” that would allow a homeowner to make repairs to their home without interference, but require approval on major renovations and additions.

“In most places where these things are successful, the community supports them,” he said. “I want to preserve the community’s involvement in how this turns out.”

Imler said the right balance could be found between property rights and historic preservation.

He said he would attend the meeting to present the renovation ordinance.

“There’s more than just one blanket ordinance,” he said.

Dunaway said the City Council delayed approving the state-level ordinance in April to do more research.

He said the council has not decided to advertise an ordinance change yet, which must happen before the council can vote on the issue.

Pearlberg already has scheduled a second town hall meeting for Aug. 30.