Mulling the draft of an historic property ordinance

Walhalla’s elected leaders are talking about historic preservation and have on their table a draft ordinance that would create a local historic property and design review district – similar to that which neighboring Seneca has had for years.  Brandon Burton, introduced the idea last night and commented that it’s a way for homeowners, if they choose, to enhance the value of their property by adhering to uniform regulations.  It also would be available to the owners of commercial properties, and Mayor Edwards said he’s confident that the new owners of a former school building would embrace an historic property designation to help leverage tax credits to convert their building to ahotel on N. College Street.  But councilman Grant Keehn, who re-models properties, is worried that regulations might prove injurious to property owners unable to afford the cost of standards promulgated by a board of architectural review.  No vote was taken last night, and the city council is free to conform historical designation and design review to the wishes of their city.