At the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission, City Council directed staff to hire a consultant to update the Historic Design Guidelines. At the joint workshop in May 19, 2026 with Council and HPC, the consultant was provided feedback and direction on the draft guidelines. Attached is the updated guidelines in response to the that direction. 

At their regularly scheduled August 20, 2026 meeting, the Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval of the document by a vote of 5-0. 

The current Historic Design Guidelines were adopted in 2013, and focused on architectural styles that were considered historic during the time of the first Historic Survey (1992). In 2024, the City adopted a new Historic Survey, which included all the structures within the district, and included additional architectural styles that had not been in the original survey. In order to have design guidance that is consistent with the Historic District, Council moved forward to update to the Design Guidelines. 

As part of the update, Council appointed a committee that consisted of members of the Historic Preservation Commission, Main Street Board, Economic Development Corporation, and City Council to provide recommendations and guidance. Through the committee's guidance, the Historic Design Guidelines were changed to Historic Design Standards and Recommendations in order to reduce confusion and add clarity. Additionally, the process has been simplified to allow for a more streamlined permit process that allows for many more applications to be processed administratively. The new Design Standards and Recommendations also include updated permit application worksheets, toolkit, and an extensive glossary. 

In addition to the Historic Design Standards and Recommendations, staff is developing a "reader's guide" that provides a higher level look and summary of the standards. It will simplify the language for projects that may be exempted or do not need to follow the technical standards.

Not applicable. 

Pros: Updated document provides clear standards, worksheets, and allows for many more administrative approvals.

Cons: Applicants will have a new document to familiarize themselves with during the HPC process. 

City Council may move to:

• Approve
• Approve with Conditions
• Deny
• Table