The Columbus City Council will consider filling Historic Preservation Commission vacancies during its regular meeting at 5 p.m. today in the Municipal Complex.
As of this morning, only two people have applied to fill six vacancies on the Historic Preservation Commission. Longtime member Joseph Boggess has applied for reappointment. Local real estate agent Ann Davis has also applied.
However, five sitting members — including commission chair John Hudson, Bryan Brown, Sid Caradine, Mike Lowery and Betty Miller — have yet to reapply. Their four-year terms expire at the end of May.
The commission has a hand in approving certain projects within the city’s nationally registered historic preservation district downtown, including sign placement and renovations to building exteriors within the district’s boundaries. It typically meets once per month, usually at 5:30 p.m. on the first Monday of the month at City Hall.
If the commission rejects a citizen’s proposed project, the citizen can appeal directly to the city council. However, without an appeal, the commission’s decisions are binding.
According to the commission’s bylaws, it can have up to nine members but no fewer than six. After tonight — if the council chooses to appoint Boggess and Davis — it would leave the commission with only five members.
City Attorney Jeff Turnage told The Dispatch this morning he does not believe the Historic Preservation Commission can legally conduct business without at least six members unless its bylaws are changed. It could continue to assemble and discuss issues in public, he said, but it could not render official decisions.
Boggess, an owner of a historic home he restored, said he’s enjoyed serving on the commission and looks forward to continuing that service.
“I’m retired, and I live a few blocks from (City Hall),” he said. “I don’t have much to do, and I am happy to serve.”
Boggess said the commission mainly sought to enhance the aesthetics of the city’s downtown commercial district while preserving its “historic nature.” That means, he said, allowing only certain kind of building material for exterior renovation projects and avoiding certain elements on business signage, such as LED lighting.
He said that through the years the city council has supported the Historic Commission and its decisions.
“We’ve had nothing but the best of relations with the council,” Boggess said.
Davis, who has owned Ann Davis Real Estate Group for 19 years, said she also has experience with old building preservation — restoring her own home that was built in 1910 and also her office building originally built in 1860.
She said her experience with restoration and real estate would make her a valuable member of the commission.
“I love older buildings and older houses,” she said. “I think this is something I’d enjoy doing.”
Columbus Code Enforcement Officer Kenny Wiegel, who works closely with the Historic Preservation Commission, said its members serve a valuable purpose. Most recently, he said the commission assisted with elements of the $2 million Trotter Convention Center renovation.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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