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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS decides to pursue historical designationsCS decides to pursue historical designations (Wants to protect city's older neighborhoods APRIL AVISON ale Staff Writer The College Station City Council agreed Thursday to pursue the creation of his- toric districts in an effort to preserve the appearance of older neighborhoods. Although College Station has several historical mark- ers throughout the city, they don't serve any purpose other than to provide information, said Katie Elrod, the city's that consistency is established in the layout of the neighbor- hood, she said. Jennifer Fredericks, presi- dent of the College Hills Home- owners Association, said she and her neighbors would like to see their area designated as a historic district. "We chose our home because it was in an older neighborhood with great trees and great houses," said Fred- ericks, who has lived in Col- lege Station for 17 years. "We think it's an interesting neigh- borhood,. and we're afraid that new development will encroach on that." Hillary Jessup of the Oak- wood Neighborhood Associa- tion expressed similar con- terns. "We want assurance that the houses coming in the future are going to blend in," Jessup said after the meeting. "We have no protection." Council members said they want to take inventory of neighborhoods that may be interested in the designation and hold public hearings to gather input on the topic. "We have the skill set, the interest and the accord to carry out something like this," Elrod told the elected officials. Thomason, however, said education will be important as the city attempts to implement neighborhood services coor- dinator. When a city establishes his- toric districts, an ordinance is adopted by the city council, and the council sets guide- lines for development and appearance within that boundary. The city also can apply for Certified Local Gov- ernment status and receive matching grant funds from the Texas Historical Commis- sion, said Bratten Thomason, a representative of the com- mission who spoke to the council Thursday. "I don't think a community can be its best if it wipes away what it used to be," Thoma-. son said. "None of us are going to stop change,° but we can guide it and absorb some': of it." The homes in a historic dis- trict don't have to be old, Thomason explained. Some residents want their homes to the program. "Having a public process as you go along with this is extremely important because this is looking at privately owned property," she said. "The idea is out there that it is elitist. What we're really try- ing to do is protect the invest- ment you made and that your neighbors made, but there are some people who think you're going to try to regulate the color they can paint their house. That's probably the biggest issue you're going to come up against." In other matters Thursday, the City Council renewed its travel policy, making minor revisions to bring it into com- pliance with employee hand- book guidelines and imple- menting astipulation for an annual review after each municipal election. The policy allows council members to receive compensation for such expenses as mileage, meals and lodging while traveling to perform council duties. Council members discussed expanding the policy to include reimbursement for cell phone use. The council also talked about cutting expenses by sending only some members to certain annual events, such as the Texas Transportation Summit in Irving. The policy will be revisited after the city election in May, City Secretary Connie Hooks said. ^ April Avison's e-mail address is april.avisonC~theeeagle.com.