City withdraws proposal to weaken historic preservation ordinance

A proposal to weaken a law that restricts demolition of historic buildings in Spokane has been withdrawn on the recommendation of the city Plan Commission.

The city prohibits tearing down historic buildings across much of the city without plans to build a replacement. That means property owners can’t raze old buildings and leave the land bare or convert it to parking in downtown and in National Historic Register districts across the city.

The law was passed in 2005 after the 1890 Merton building was demolished and replaced by a parking lot.

Megan Duvall, the city’s historic preservation officer, proposed removing National Historic Register districts from the demolition ordinance. Those include Browne’s Addition, Peaceful Valley, Rockwood Drive, Nettleton’s Addition and others.

The proposal had been up for public hearing and a final vote Monday night but was withdrawn this week.

Duvall said she had been concerned that the city’s demolition ordinance conflicted with federal law. After checking with the National Park Service, however, she said she learned that local governments can impose demolition restrictions as long as property owners have a legal way to challenge them.

Matt Cohen, former president and member of Spokane Preservation Advocates, had argued against changing the 2005 demolition ordinance, which he said is intended to add protections for old buildings.

“The ordinance is serving us well, and we should not make changes that are not necessary,” he said.

In a related matter, the City Council will be asked to approve changes to the way members of the City/County Historic Landmarks Commission are appointed.

Currently, the City Council and county commissioners must agree on appointments to seven of the commission’s 11 seats.

A year ago, the city and county couldn’t agree on appointments to the landmarks commission, which shut down its work on nominations to the historic register.

Under the new proposal, the City Council will name nine members. The city provides the largest share of funding for historic preservation.

County commissioners, who have agreed to provide $30,000 this year for historic preservation and continue support in future years, would appoint two members.

The county for several years had greatly reduced its contributions to the city-county preservation program.

Also, Duvall said a Spokane Valley proposal to establish a separate historic preservation program could use Spokane city staff to process historic property applications on a fee basis.