KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Proposed legislation that would have reformed the rules on historic districts has died in committee and a Kalamazoo preservationist is glad to see it go.
The Chairman of the House Local Government Committee heard from constituents who hated the proposals. MIRS News reports committee chairperson Lee Chatfield, who represents Mackinac Island, one of the state’s historic gems, says no compromise was possible.
Critics of the plan say it threatened the very existence of the historic districts.
Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Coordinator Sharon Ferraro said she is not convinced the legislation is dead. Until the session ends and all unpassed bills are officially declared dead, she will consider it to be comatose and monitor it to make sure it isn’t revived.
She said it was written by people who don’t understand the intent of the current legislation and didn’t know that it was working.
The conflict is between those who want to preserve the historic appearance of homes and neighborhoods and homeowners who would like to preserve their rights while living in the districts.
