SHELBY — A lengthy process by the Shelby Historic Preservation Commission has resulted in design guidelines for the city’s historic district.
The commission has been working with Perspectus Architecture, a Cleveland-based full-service architecture firm, to create Shelby’s rules and procedures for design and restoration.
In July 2023, the five-member commission received state grant funds to continue drafting the standards for historic district preservation and rehabilitation projects.
On Monday, a resolution to adopt the guidelines was brought before members of Shelby City Council. The resolution passed with a 4-1 vote, opposed only by 1st Ward Councilman Charlie Roub.
Roub expressed concerns regarding flexibility with the guidelines. Third Ward Councilman Eric Cutlip posed questions of his own as it relates to restoration material selection.
Three members of the commission attended Monday’s City Council meeting — including Vice Chairperson Randy Sampsel, who responded to concerns raised by councilmembers.
Proposed guidelines spark discussion before passed
The Shelby Historic Preservation Commission has purview, per city ordinance, over locally designated properties, separate from the National Register of Historic Places.
Shelby’s Center Historic District outlines mainly the downtown properties of the city, including a few just outside of the current zone.
Roub said he became “soured” about the guidelines when a historic district business owner’s request was ultimately denied by the commission.
“A local business owner, (who) owned a building in the historic district, went to the commission for permission to replace a ball on the top of his building that was missing,” he said.
“That (replacement ball) was made from a different material than the one that was currently up there. He was denied that opportunity to do that even though it was painted the same color (and) looked the same as the one that was there. I just really have an issue with that.
“One fiber glass (ball) and the other made out of sheet metal — from 60 feet away, who’s going to be able to tell the difference?”
Cutlip echoed similar sentiments as Roub, questioning the flexibility of the guidelines.
“If you can use newer materials that last longer, but look the same as the original, that seems to make more sense,” Cutlip said. “It’s going to be less maintenance and less for the building owners that upkeep.”
A ‘good tool’ for historic district building owners
Sampsel addressed concerns by explaining what the commission intends to use the guidelines for — which includes addressing situations such as Roub described.
“The purpose of the guidelines is to allow people — ahead of time — to review what the process is and what we’re looking for,” he said. “Whereas now, all those (procedures) are in place, but there’s no guidelines for them to look at.”
“When they come to us, they don’t even know if they’re right or wrong to begin with. So now we’ve got something to hand them to say, ‘This is the process you follow. These are the items you need to do.'”
Joe Gies, Shelby’s project coordinator, said the guidelines will be helpful for property owners in the city’s historic district.
“I think it’s a good tool for the commission to work with the building owners and the historic district and give them a lot more direction — with pictures and much more of a tool to give them,” he said.
Guidelines are based upon the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation — nationally recognized standards used when a historic property undergoes a preservation or rehabilitation project.
Historic district building owners who are denied regarding desired materials for a preservation or rehabilitation project have the right file an appeal, according to the city’s codified ordinances.
A property owner, within 10 days of receiving the commission’s decision, can appeal to Shelby City Council by filing a written notice of appeal with the commission and the clerk of council.
City Council may affirm, reverse or modify the commission’s decision.
In other action Monday, City Council:
— read a proclamation designating May as Poppy Month.
— proclaimed May 2024 as Mental Health Month in Shelby.
— authorized the mayor to acquire rights of easement for the Shelby Avenue water main replacement project.
— approved plans and authorized the mayor to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the Shelby Avenue waterline replacement project.
— authorized the mayor to enter into a marketing agreement with Utility Service Partners Private Label, Inc. D/B/A Service Line Warranties of America for a residential water service line, sewer lateral and in-home plumbing repair warranty program.