AUGUSTA — A proposed new historic district ordinance that would require the owners of buildings in a large, prominent west-side neighborhood to have exterior building renovations approved by a historic review board goes back to city councilors for review Thursday.
The proposal would create a new historic district, centered around Winthrop Street and encompassing the downtown area, meant to encourage the preservation of the historic architecture in that part of the city. It would do so by requiring the owners of homes and other buildings within the district to prevent their buildings from falling “into a state of deterioration by neglect” and, if they renovate the exteriors of their buildings, to have those renovations approved following varying degrees of review, depending on the extent of those renovations.
Major projects, such as construction of a new commercial building within the district, would require a building permit and approval from both the Planning Board and proposed new Augusta Historic District Review Board. Projects such as an addition to a house would need a building permit and review and approval by the Historic District Review Board, according to Matt Nazar, director of development services. Small projects such as window replacement would require only the approval of the proposed new review board.
The proposal first went to councilors in March, but councilors simply forwarded it to the Planning Board for review and a recommendation. After two public hearings, board members voted unanimously to recommend passage, so it returns unchanged to the council for discussion Thursday. Councilors meet at 7 p.m. in council chambers at Augusta City Center.
At the March meeting, council members asked pointed questions about how the ordinance would work and how the membership of the review board would be determined.
Mayor David Rollins, who was chairman of the subcommittee that developed and recommends the proposal, said the district is meant to help preserve and even revitalize that part of the city.
“It offers an opportunity to revitalize what was the premier neighborhood of Augusta back in its day, a neighborhood that might have transitioned down from its peak status,” Rollins said. “Restore its appeal and attract investors that want to come in and be part of a historic rejuvenation.”
Nazar said the subcommittee that developed the ordinance held a series of public hearings in the neighborhood and downtown, and the proposal “received overwhelmingly positive feedback.” He said, however, there were a few people with concerns about the effect the ordinance’s new requirements could have on the cost of renovations.
“The question of added cost is probably the most frequent” potential issue that building owners have raised, Rollins said Tuesday. “It is going to add time. It has a process of review of appropriateness. But I don’t think it’s going to add costs. It shouldn’t be a deal-killer for people to maintain the exterior appearance of their house. It isn’t an overly intrusive ordinance. It’s as basic and minimal as you’ll find.”
Rollins said the proposal also could bring economic development to the city, as visitors would be more likely to come to Augusta if it has an established, well-maintained historic district.
The proposed Augusta Historic District Ordinance would create a new locally designated historic district that encompasses three existing designated National Historic Districts surrounding Winthrop, Crosby and Bond streets. It would include the downtown Water Street area north until Bond Street, extend as far south as a small portion of Western Avenue at Memorial Circle, and include homes and other buildings along parts of State, Green, Bridge, Chapel, Melville, South Chestnut, North Chestnut, Spring, Winter, Summer and other streets.
Thursday’s meeting is informational, meaning no votes will be taken. It is not a public hearing, though Rollins said he would take public comment on the proposal Thursday if someone wishes to speak at the meeting. Public hearings are expected to be held at the first and second of the two required council readings of the new ordinance Aug. 6 and 20.
Councilors on Thursday also are scheduled to:
• discuss a zone change proposed, and also recommended by the Planning Board, to allow Performance Foodservice — Northcenter to build a new parking lot with space for more than 110 vehicles just north of the food distribution firm’s Dalton Road site, which company officials said would allow the business to build a 50,000-square-foot freezer where most of its parking is now;
• discuss allowing social services as a conditional use in the Planned Development 2 zoning district;
• hear an update on an ongoing Mount Vernon Avenue construction project from the Maine Department of Transportation;
• discuss changes to several city tax increment financing agreements.
Keith Edwards — 621-5647
kedwards@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @kedwardskj
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