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<br /> - -- <br />e Commission or City Council should make regulatory decisions. The composition <br /> of the board is also at issue. Interim protection of inventoried properties <br /> that are considered primary concerns some citizens. Finally, Mr. Jacobson <br /> said a letter had been received from the Department of Land Conservation and <br /> Development (DLCD) staff. Although they feel the ordinance is an <br /> improvement, there is a suggestion that citizens, as well as the council, <br /> board, and property owner, should initiate landmark designation. The DLCD <br /> also indicated that resources newly identified through inventories should <br /> take precedence over neighborhood and metro plans in determining whether a <br /> structure should be a historic landmark. Mr. Jacobson said the issues <br /> identified by the DLCD would be addressed and brought to the council for <br /> further consideration. <br /> Ms. Ehrman expressed concern about letters from property owners who object to <br /> their properties being considered for designation. Mr. Jacobson said there <br /> is an issue of balancing private property rights and the public interest. <br /> Mr. Miller asked about the time line for property on which historic <br /> designation has been initiated. Mr. Jacobson said once the designation <br /> process is initiated, a public hearing is held within 45 days, a decision is <br /> reached within another fifteen days, that decision can be appealed to the <br /> City Council within ten days, and a public hearing will be held within 40 <br /> days of receipt of the appeal, with the council making its decision within 15 <br /> days of the hearing. To demolish a property already designated historic, Mr. <br /> Jacobson said there is a different process that requires up to 180 days. He <br /> said the task team discussed the timing at length and had in fact shortened <br />e the time required. <br /> Mr. Bennett commented that he supports the effort to protect the public <br /> interest in the history of the community. He considers this interest worth <br /> protecting and said it may override some additional burden that may be placed <br /> on individual property owners. He observed that Eugene has demolished many <br /> of its historic buildings and his experience with State and Federal <br /> regulatory agencies has led him to believe that the value of some currently <br /> designated buildings is questionable. He recommended looking carefully at <br /> what is truly historic and what is not. <br /> Mayor Obie, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Rutan left the meeting at 1:20 p.m. <br /> Mr. Bennett observed that the best way for a historic property to provide a <br /> long-term benefit to the community is to assure that it functions <br /> economically in today's community. Interior features must be reviewed in the <br /> context of how the building will function in the future. How accessibility, <br /> and health and life safety issues are addressed will be an important part of <br /> the discussion of interior designation. <br /> Ms. Bascom asked about restrictions placed on the owner in the c~.se of the <br /> Quackenbush building. Mr. Jacobson answe~ed that the building is designated <br /> as a City Landmark. There is no interior designation and the building can <br /> continue to function with the uses allowed in the C-3 zoning. Exterior <br /> alterations require review according to the guidelines in the ordinance. <br />4It MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 7, 1988 Page 11 <br />