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Historic Landmark Commission city comparison - Item 99

Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 7:31 pm
by Louisa Brinsmade
On behalf of Council Member Pool:

Colleagues,
I would like to share this city comparison of historic landmark commissions. It shows that across the board, in cities of comparative size and culture, Austin's 2/3 majority voting threshold for our Historic Landmark Commission to even recommend historic zoning to the City Council is unique. The only other city of comparative size and culture that has such a threshold is Boston - which has a 2/3 majority voting threshold for a commission that is a quasi-judicial body with landmark designating authority. The remedy for an objecting property owner is the court. Additionally, we are unique in limiting the amount of historic landmark reviews that our commission is even allowed to hear.

Please consider the information in this chart as we discuss and deliberate this issue tonight: http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 192057.pdf

Leslie Pool
Council Member District 7