No merger of heritage, landmarks commissions

City lawmakers have moved away from a proposal to merge Kingston’s Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission and Heritage Area Commission and instead are considering revisions to the ordinance that governs the landmarks commission.

During a recent meeting of the Common Council’s Laws and Rules Committee, Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission Vice Chairwoman Marissa Marvelli presented lawmakers with a proposed new landmarks preservation ordinance based largely on the state’s model law from 2014. She said the existing ordinance has several problems that need to be addressed, including conflicting chapters and vague language.

“It’s at times challenging for us commissioners to refer to,” Marvelli said.

Marvelli said the new ordinance aims to improve clarity, make some administrative improvements recommended by the city’s corporation counsel, add new tools and measures for preservation. She said, for instance, the new ordinance would remove a chapter on historic and architectural design districts because it is redundant. It also would provide more details about the legislative intent and duties of the commission, Marvelli said.

Of the administrative improvements, Marvelli said the proposed ordinance would establish three alternate members to serve on the

landmarks commission and add a clause to remove members for cause. It also stipulates the cost of operations are to be provided by the Common Council and lengthens the commission’s approval of “preservation notices of action” to 24 months, she said. Marvelli said the approvals currently only last 12 months and many projects take longer

to complete.

The ordinance also names the city Zoning Board of Appeals as the official appeals body for any decisions made by the Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission, Marvelli said. She said, though, that any appeals must use the same information and rationale as used by the landmarks commission.

Marvelli said the ordinance also broadens the definition of what can be considered a historic resource, among other changes.

Alderman William Carey, DWard 5, said his committee will review the information presented by Marvelli and discuss it further. He said the proposal also will be sent to the heads of involved city departments for feedback before the council decides how to proceed.

Carey said council members no longer are considering merging the landmarks and heritage commissions, which initially was proposed by Mayor Steve Noble as a way to streamline the review process.