15 - Ordinance Adopting Amendments to the Design Standards for the Historic Districts

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Item No. 15 In 7 0 Wn ?M' I � I =I, TO: Mayor & City Council FROM: John Godwin, City Manager SUBJECT: HISTORIC FENCING, WINDOWS, & BRICKS AMENDMENT DATE: February 2, 2019 BACKGROUND: In order to meet certain state requirements to make us eligible for periodic grants, and to help guide reinvestments and improvements in downtown Paris, the city established an Historic Preservation Commission and ordinance. Some changes were made in early 2015, and last spring the city council adopted the 2009 Design Standards, including three changes recommended by the Historic Preservation Commission, once of which related to fencing. STATUS OF ISSUE: More recently, the commission has responded to an issue regarding fencing/guardrails that were placed in an alley, by recommending further clarifications and restrictions to materials and design of fences in the historic districts. Specifically, they wish to provide an opportunity for applicants to request fencing in unique situations on a case-by-case basis by either the historic preservation officer or the commission as a whole. Chain link, vinyl, and concrete fencing are specifically prohibited; heavy-duty black or white fencing vertical pipe or steel tubing are acceptable. Fences must be on property lines, and gates may not be attached to buildings. The commission has also prepared standards for window and brick restoration and repair in historic structures, the standards for which are included in Attachment A to the requested ordinance. BUDGET: NA RECOMMENDATION: Approve attached ordinance amendment and its attachments.