After several months of work by city staff and commissioners, the Cheney Historical Preservation Commission unanimously adopted an updated set of rules and procedures at its Dec. 3 meeting.
Public Works Director Todd Ableman told the commission that the goal in the update process was to pare down the original rules from 60 pages to just over 20 while also maintaining the document’s intent. Ableman brought to the commissioners’ attention several key points in the document.
One of those established a quorum for meetings at four members, even if the commission is operating without all seats filled. The commission currently consists of seven members, with all seven filled.
The commission’s bylaws also call for monthly meetings. Commissioner Bettye Hull noted they are meeting every other month currently and questioned whether the commission should amend the document to reflect this practice.
Commission Chair Charles Mutschler pointed out the bylaws gave the commission flexibility in holding its meetings.
“We have made the discretion to hold it (meeting) every other month,” Mutschler added.
Commissioners agreed that changes made to the section regarding rules and procedures for applying for and review of property whose owners are seeking historical designation conformed to federal and state requirements, thus enabling the potential for monetary reimbursement. A third section dealing with rules and procedures for modifications or new construction within a registered district also seemed appropriate, if not immediately useful.
“Currently, we don’t have a local registered district,” Commission administrative assistant Sue Beeman said. “If in the future, you decided to create one, these would apply.”
Commissioner Martin Seedorf noted most new construction is tending to take place in the north part of the city, not the neighborhoods in the older section around Eastern Washington University and downtown. Ableman pointed out new construction falling under the historic rules and procedures could take place in the older section should an existing structure be destroyed and then rebuilt.
The Historical Preservation’s next scheduled meeting will take place the first Thursday in February 2016.
John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].
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