LANSING (WKZO-AM) — Legislators are considering a House bill that would change a five-decade-old law outlining how communities can establish historic districts.
Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Coordinator Sharon Ferraro says the procedure to establish a new historic district would change radically.
“It not only wants to require two-thirds of the affected property owners to sign a petition supporting the study before the study committee is even appointed, but they want the entire thing to go through a vote at a regular election by all of the voters who live in the city,” Ferraro said.
It would also change the renewal process.
“A city commission would have to approve it and then it would have to go through a vote every 10 years,” Ferraro said. “The only things that go through that kind of renewal process are usually millages and special assessments.”
Ferraro says the legislation goes too far. Republicans say it gives property owners and cities more control over their districts.
– Anthony Pollreisz
