A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to discussing amendments to the city’s historic preservation ordinance, which sought to align local regulations with federal guidelines. The proposed changes focused on property owner consent for historic district designations. Jeannie Barlo, the assistant to the city manager, explained that the amendment would remove the requirement for unanimous consent from property owners for historical designation. Instead, it would establish that no property could be designated without the owner’s written consent, and if more than 50% of property owners in a district objected in writing, the application would be withdrawn. However, the city council could still approve a historic district designation over objections with a majority vote.

Council Member Fernandez expressed support for historic preservation but emphasized the importance of respecting property owners’ rights. The council considered raising the threshold for approval from a simple majority to 60% to ensure substantial community support. Discussion also covered the method of notifying property owners about proposed designations, with suggestions to use registered or certified mail to ensure delivery confirmation.

Council Member Chamber praised the change in the requirement from needing a majority to stop a designation to needing a majority to approve it, seeing it as a beneficial adjustment. The council debated formally reverting the ordinance to the first reading to incorporate these and other modifications. Further discussions suggested extending the time frame for property owners to gather support beyond eight weeks and providing flexibility in the mailing methods used for notifications.

Another topic was the potential reclassification of short-term rentals, such as Airbnb, as commercial properties. The council discussed directing the city attorney and city manager to investigate the potential reclassification. A member cautioned against proceeding without thoroughly understanding the implications, referencing ongoing challenges faced by other municipalities in regulating short-term rentals.

As the conversation evolved, the focus shifted to noise enforcement capabilities, with the police chief updating the council on using decibel meters to address noise violations. A council member clarified that previous comments about noise enforcement were not meant as criticism but as information sharing regarding actions by neighboring jurisdictions.

The council also touched on the potential development of downtown properties, debating the timing and appropriateness of offering incentives to attract developers. Concerns were voiced about how these discussions might impact ongoing negotiations with Blazing Paddle, a potential developer. The council considered scheduling a workshop to explore marketing strategies, but some members suggested awaiting more information on the Blazing Paddle project before proceeding.

In addition, the council received updates on other ongoing matters. Council Member Kravitz discussed planned road repairs, with localized pavement repairs on Davis Road set for 2026 and a full resurfacing project scheduled for 2027. The council also approved the first reading of a rezoning application for a property on Bullard Parkway, allowing for greater flexibility in land use.

Kevin Woodard’s presentation on the upcoming Senior Expo highlighted the event’s role in providing resources and information to seniors, coinciding with the Medicare and Medicaid enrollment period. The expo aims to create a neutral environment for seniors to access various services, featuring sponsors like Generations Club and Axiom Health.

Finally, the city manager’s report included a suggestion to hold a workshop on a potential bond for a public safety complex, which could include a police station or a combined facility for police and fire services. The council expressed interest in clarifying the requirements for placing the bond on the ballot.