The area known as downtown is currently protected by a historic preservation
ordinance that was enacted in June of 2000.
The purpose of
this ordinance is to promote the protection and enhancement of buildings,
structures or land improvements of special historic, aesthetic or
architectural significance. The ordinance is governed by a preservation
commission made up of five members acting in an advisory capacity
to the city council and the planning and zoning commission.
The commission both proposes designations as a historic landmark
and/or Historic District and issues certificates of appropriateness relating
to proposed actions affecting the exterior architectural appearance
of any landmark or property within a historic district.
Before any exterior modifications are done on buildings within the district,
an application for a certificate of appropriateness must be completed
and filed at city hall. City hall staff will be happy to assist the
property owner with the completion of this form. The application will
be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission at their regular
meeting (normally the first Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at city
hall) or at a special meeting.
Publications containing historic
architectural guidelines are available
at city hall. Once approved,
the certificate of appropriateness
should be posted at front of the
building and work will be subject
to periodic inspection by the
building official.