This bill would eliminate review of proposed housing projects by a design review board. Such review would be the sole responsibility of administrative staff. While we appreciate efforts to create efficiencies in new housing development throughout our cities, this would impact our locally listed historic resources. Thankfully, The bill moved out of the House Committee on Housing with an amendment that would allow local historic preservation commissions to continue providing project review for historic buildings and historic districts listed in a local, state, or national register of historic places.
A vote on the House Floor for HB 1026 is pending. A new amendment would retain the ability of local historic preservation commissions to continue providing project review for locally listed buildings and historic districts, but remove mention of resources listed in the National Register. While we prefer the language that came out of committee, exemptions for locally listed resources will still allow review by historic preservation commissions and enable projects to take advantage of important state incentive programs that promote rehabilitation of historic resources.
Our Position: Adopt Substitute HB 1026 with provisions that allow local historic preservation commissions to review all projects involving locally designated historic buildings and local historic districts.
Please contact your legislator to voice your support for historic and cultural resources throughout the state. Find sample text and more information here.