The local Historical Commission was established by the Athens City Council several years ago at the request of citizens and property owners who lived in the Beaty/Clinton/East Street areas of the city. I was a member of the City Council at that time and I remember some of the reasons people had for wanting historical districts to be created.

Many felt it would increase their property values if their property was included in a district designated as historical. Many of the homes in this area had deteriorated over several years, and were in the process of being renovated and restored. Some felt that if the restorations were accomplished according to some established standards, the property values might increase even more. Some felt that becoming a designated historical district could stop the construction of modern homes and buildings that would look out-of-place alongside the antebellum homes in the area. Some people were simply interested in preserving the architecture of the particular styles and periods that the homes and buildings of the area represented.

The City Council took the actions to designate a particular area of the city as historical, and established the Historical Commission to oversee the activities of property owners who wished to renovate, remodel, or make changes to the buildings on their properties. The Commission was made up of residents and others who had knowledge of historical preservation of the older structures found in this area. The City Council later established the Houston and Athens State University Historical Districts at the requests of residents from those areas.

The establishment of these districts allowed rules and regulations to be enacted that pertained to only those districts and no other property outside the district. It was similar to the rules and regulations of the subdivision where I now live. All of us who own property there are governed by a homeowner’s association and covenants that we agreed to when we purchased our homes. No other property owners in the city are affected by our subdivision regulations.

The Historical Commission has worked in these areas only and in my opinion most of the advice and assistance they have given to property owners has been good, and most likely accomplished the goals of preservation and increasing the value of properties. The Commission basically exercised control only over the front of the residential buildings. They had no control over the sides, back, outbuildings, and landscaping.

Recently members of the Commission asked the City Council to fund an upgrading of the ordinance that applies to the districts and I do think there needs to be some changes made to the existing ordinance to clean it up and make it clearer for people to understand. However, the proposed changes to the ordinance would apply to the entire residential structures, the outbuildings and the landscaping; and the proposed changes are not being well-received by the residents.

One complaint many residents now have is that they did not know changes were coming or what the proposed changes were before they were presented to the Council. Another complaint has been about a daily fine imposed by the city if the rules are violated. Another is that the proposed changes may hinder the sale of property if the need arises. Another is simply the freedom of home ownership, to do what you wish with your property.

The controversy that has arisen about the proposed changes could threaten the existence of the historical districts. It will become political and the City Council is the governing body that will have to approve or disapprove the ordinance amendments. I think the residents should let the mayor and Council know how they think the Commission can work with the residents and the city to continue the preservation of these beautiful areas of the city in a manner that doesn’t threaten the American dream of home ownership. I think that most property owners wish to retain the historical districts, but they have legitimate concerns about the changes.

I would suggest that all residents and property owners send to the mayor’s office an e-mail or a letter to let your thoughts about this issue be known. Your thoughts would be available to the City Council and would certainly help them make a decision about the proposed changes. Send your e-mail to mayordan@athensal.us , and your letter to The Mayor’s Office, P.O. Box 1089, Athens, AL 35612.