Resident working on second historic district amendment

Marika Lee, mlee1@communitypress.com 12 p.m. EDT September 17, 2014

The group behind the proposed Madeira historic district amendment might submit a second amendment to clarify the first. (Photo: Marika Lee/ The Community Press )

Madeira could have a second proposed amendment to protect the citys two historic houses and train depot.

Resident and Madeira Historical Society spokesman Doug Oppenheimer presented a draft of the new amendment to city council Sept. 8.

Oppenheimer distributed copies of a draft of the new amendment at the Sept. 8 city council meeting and Sept. 15 Planning Commission meeting.

The new amendment to the Madeira Charter would create a new Madeira zoning district called The Historic District and structures within it would have to meet the Historic District Guidelines. It would also create a Historic District Commission to oversee the district.

The first amendment calls for the Hosbrook House, Muchmore House and Train Depot to be included in the historic district. The properties are currently part of the Muchmore Historic Area, but the area does not have any special zoning or building restrictions.

Though the first charter amendment will be on the ballot in November, City Solicitor Bob Malloy said the city cannot enforce it because the city does not have a historic district.

If the first amendment is approved by voters it could be challenged by legal action or nullified or clarified by another amendment, Malloy said earlier this year.

I dont know if (the new amendment) would clear everything up. It will clear up some of the vagueness, City Manager Tom Moeller said. He added he has not yet looked over it with Malloy to understand its full impact.

Here is the original post:
Resident working on second historic district amendment