2. Historic Preservation & Demolition Ordinance
Council Member Lori Kinnear – Spokane City Council, District 2
Brian McClatchey – City Council Policy Advisor
Megan Duvall – Historic Preservation Officer
Jake Fraley – Legislative Assistant to Council Member Kinnear

3. Legislative Timeline July 26 – first workshop
September 20 – Historic Landmarks Commission meeting
October 11 – second workshop
December 13 – third workshop
January 10 – Public Hearing
Mid-Late January – Bring ordinance before City Council
Work on this ordinance began over a year ago
Ordinance truly began to take shape early this summer
We will bring the final version of the ordinance before you for a Public Hearing next month on January 10

4. Outreach Series of Steering Committee meetings
Draft sent to the Spokane Board of Realtors
Draft sent to historic preservation developers
Community open house in Browne’s Addition – October 18
Meeting w/ representatives from Downtown Spokane Partnership & Spokane Homebuilders Association
Private meeting w/ Commissioner Batten
DSP Policy Meeting – November 30
During our first two workshops on this, the question of outreach was raised
Especially the level of private-sector outreach was raised
Here are all the groups we reached out to, and the opportunities for comment provided
FURTHER, this ordinance has been posted online for all to see since early August

5. Purpose Comprehensive Plan: Strategic Plan:
Safeguard City’s architectural, historic, and cultural heritage by preserving historic buildings and neighborhoods
Strategic Plan:
Promote significant growth that connects people to place and builds upon cultural, historic, and natural resource assets
Let’s be clear, historic preservation is a goal for the greater public interest
Historic preservation is a goal in both Spokane’s Strategic and Comprehensive Plan
But the purpose for this ordinance is far greater than our City’s long-term plans; this is about empowering citizens to protect elements of Spokane’s rich history that are important to them
Since our first workshop in July, we’ve narrowed this ordinance so that its regulations only apply to REGISTERED buildings
The only buildings subject to regulation are those which the CITIZENS have deemed valuable and worth protecting
* They’ve done this by taking the initiative and registering such buildings through the process this ordinance creates
We’ve also balanced the regulatory aspect of this ordinance by adding new economic incentives for developers and property owners that are exclusive to historic preservation projects
These incentives add to an already impressive list of City development incentives that also apply to historic buildings

6. Deficiencies in Current Law
Ineffective process for creating Spokane Register historic districts
During our October workshop, we discussed in detail what we see as the deficiencies in our current ordiannce
One of our chief concerns is that current law lacks a clear and effective process for communities to come together to form historic districts designated on the Spokane Register
In fact, the Browne’s Addition Neighborhood Council came to me and asked if they could form a district for the neighborhood, which was what got the ball rolling for this ordinance
The consequences of the lack of districts can be seen here
The apartment building on the left was constructed in place of an historic home
It does not fit with the architectural identity in Browne’s
During our public open house, we heard from resident after resident express how much they disliked the style of the builidng in their neighborhood
It’s not that this is a bad-looking building (actually, it is quite nice)
The problem is that it does not reflect the character of the neighborhood
This could have been avoided had Browne’s been able to form a designated district with design standards that were consciences of the neighborhood’s historic character
The intent is not to create a Disneyland effect where new construction is faux historic; in fact, the language explicitly endorses “contemporary compatible” designs in historic districts

7. Deficiencies in Current Law
This could be torn down under current law with no authority for the City to stop it
Another deficiency we discussed in October was the lack of authority for the Historic Landmarks Commission to actually save some of Spokane’s most valuable historic buildings
Under current law, if the commission were to prevent the Campbell House from being torn down, it would only trigger an additional 45-day waiting period, after which the building could be demolished anyway
This ordinance actually gives the commission some teeth to protect historic buildings by allowing them to deny a certificate of appropriateness required for demolition permits
This ability is based on a set of well-defined criteria and does not give the commission overly-broad discretionary authority
Further, the ordinance allows for property owners to re-apply for certificates and to appeal the commission’s decision

8. Language Revisions Since October
Changes to designation process for Spokane Register of Historic Places
Changes to way non-contributing resources in historic districts are treated
Reverting back to ad hoc committee for making Economic Hardship determinations
Addition of three new historic preservation incentives

9. New Historic Preservation Incentives Section 17D.100.320

10. 1) Façade Improvement Grant
2003/4 ish, the City was granted $15,000 from the State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to create a small Hillyard Façade Improvement Grant program. The Kehoe Building was one of those that received a small grant (so, the project isn’t a huge wow, but it is something that shows what can be done with a small amount of funding). They did 5 buildings with that small amount of money.

11. 2) Sidewalk Improvement Grant

12. 3) Urban Utility Installation Program for Historic Properties

13. 3) Urban Utility Installation Program for Historic Properties
Other Incentives Applied:
Special Valuation

14. Existing Incentives that apply to Historic Preservation

15. Old St. Paul Market (Batch Bakeshop)

16. Old St. Paul Market (Batch Bakeshop)
Incentives Applied:
Special Valuation
Conditional Use Permitting
Code Relief

17. Old St. Paul Market (Batch Bakeshop)

18. Iron Goat Brewery Incentives Applied: Special Valuation
Urban Utility Installation Program
20% Federal Tax Credit

19. Genesee Building Incentives Applied: Special Valuation
Urban Utility Installation Program
Code Relief
Took advantage of the utility incentive to get a new water line for fire sprinklers to bring upstairs back to use for apartments

20. The Ridpath Incentives Applied: Special Valuation
Commercial Rate Clarification
Other special incentives
The Ridpath

21. Germond (Michael) Building
Incentives Applied:
Special Valuation
Code Relief
20% Federal Tax Credit

22. Domke Guse House Incentives Applied: Code Relief
Conditional Use Permitting
Did not have to enclose porch for an accessible bathroom

23. Pietsch House
Staircase did not meet current code (residential)

24. Pietsch House Incentives Applied: Code Relief Special Valuation
Staircase did not meet current code (residential)

25. Online Information:
Go to: Click: “Council” Click: “Items of Interest” Click: “Demolition Ordinance”

26. Questions / Comments?