JOINT WORKSHOP SESSION of the Burrillville Town Council and the Burrillville Historic District Commission held Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, Town Building, 105 Harrisville Main St., Harrisville, for and within the Town of Burrillville.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Burrillville Town Council: Council President Wallace F. Lees, Councilors Jacqueline Zahn, Nancy F. Binns and Margaret L. Dudley.
Burrillville Historic District Commission: Chairman Charles Newell, Kathleen Albuquerque, Patricia Henderson, and Barbara Langlois.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilor William A. Andrews was excused due to vacation. Councilors Edward F. Bonczek and Ronald E. Faford were absent.
Relative to discussions related to a proposal for Historic District(s) within the Town of Burrillville.
Council President Wallace F. Lees called the workshop to order at 6:00 p.m. and asked Charles Newell, Chairman of the Historic District Commission, to address the Town Council.
Charles Newell, Chairman of the Historic District Commission, reported that the commissioners had voted to discuss with the Town Council a voluntary approach to an Historic District Commission ordinance. Mr. Newell referred to the November 2005 workshop, at which time the Town Council had voiced concerns about establishing historic districts with mandatory requirements. Mr. Newell asked for the Town Council’s guidance on the procedure.
Mr. Newell noted that there are Rhode Island communities that have established voluntary historic districts and that Rhode Island State Law allows for communities to provide reduction in property tax liability to the owner of a historic residence who incurs maintenance or rehabilitation costs.
Mr. Newell said that the Historic District Commission (HDC) has supported voluntary participation throughout their discussions. Mr. Newell indicated that it is the HDC’s intent to encourage the preservation of the town and proposes to support and assist residents in obtaining tax relief. Mr. Newell outlined the types of rehabilitation that would be consistent with historic guidelines.
Mr. Newell discussed contributing structures. Mr. Newell explained that the intent is that the owner of any contributing structure that applied for a building permit would be required to submit their plans to the HDC for review. The HDC would then try to encourage the owner to follow historic guidelines. Mr. Newell reviewed several exterior renovations to which the plan would apply, noting that civil projects, i.e. road projects, might be included. Mr. Newel discussed establishing particular historic districts, as well as the possibility of including contributing structures outside established districts.
Councilor Jacqueline Zahn observed that the HDC would become involved only when the owner of a contributing structure applied to renovate the structure. Mr. Newell agreed and said that only exterior renovations would require review. The process was discussed.
Councilor Margaret L. Dudley discussed the provisions of the original proposal and asked whether the guidelines would be rewritten to eliminate mandatory requirements. Thomas J. Kravitz, Town Planner & Economic Development Coordinator, indicated that the guidelines would be available as a reference to owners who chose to follow them. Mr. Kravitz indicated that the guidelines would be rewritten and available for general guidance.
Councilor Nancy F. Binns introduced a discussion of whether older residences that had been renovated in a non-historic manner would be required to revert under historic guidelines. There was discussion that there would be no requirement since these homes would not be considered contributing but that, should the homeowners choose to follow the guidelines, then tax benefits would be available to them.
Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, raised questions about the applicability of local, state and federal tax incentives should the program be implemented on a voluntary basis. Thomas J. Kravitz, Town Planner & Economic Development Coordinator, noted that local incentives could be implemented, state tax credits would not apply and that residences in federal historic districts could apply for federal credits independent of local ordinance. The differences between mandatory and voluntary programs were discussed.
There was discussion of identification of historic districts. There have been surveys conducted, though additional research would be conducted. There was additional discussion of how a residence would be determined to be contributing. Councilor Margaret L. Dudley pointed out that the guidelines specify precisely how a contributing structure would be defined.
There was discussion of steps to be taken to introduce a voluntary program. Mr. Kravitz indicated that the guidelines presented in 2005 would be revised accordingly.
Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, pointed out that the Town Council was considering tax incentives for buildings in redevelopment areas, noting that the implementation of the two issues must be joined to prevent duplication.
VOTED to adjourn.
Motion by Councilor Jacqueline Zahn. Seconded by Councilor Margaret L. Dudley. The motion was unanimous by the four members present. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees, Councilors Jacqueline Zahn, Nancy F. Binns and Margaret L. Dudley. Councilor William A. Andrews was excused. Councilors Edward F. Bonczek and Ronald E. Faford were absent.
Louise R. Phaneuf, Town Clerk
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