Perry council trims proposed historic-preservation district, sends smaller map to public hearing

The City Council of the City of Perry voted to move forward with a reduced boundary for a proposed historic-preservation district, directing staff to use the smaller map in the mailed and published notice that must precede a public hearing.

Councilmember and staff discussion showed the item was contentious: some residents and property owners had urged the council to limit the district “to the square,” while the Historic Preservation Committee and some Main Street advocates had proposed a broader map that included additional historic commercial buildings around Elm and Flynn streets. Planning staff displayed the committee’s recommended map and explained it was the result of yearlong work including an earlier town hall.

The action matters because establishing a district is a prerequisite for city-run and Main Street grant programs and tax incentives that target downtown façade and building preservation. Councilmembers who favored a smaller map said they wanted to “start small” to build public trust; others said shrinking the boundary risked removing historically important structures from protections that would help the city and property owners secure grants.

During debate, council members and speakers discussed several practical points: churches and most residences were removed from the proposed district in the committee’s recommendation; landmarks can be designated separately from a district; and the city must mail notices 20 days and publish notice 15 days before a formal public hearing. Staff said the boundary adopted tonight would be used only for the notice and that the council could still amend the boundary when the ordinance returns for final adoption.

The motion to proceed with the reduced map passed on a roll-call vote. The clerk recorded: Pledsoe — yes; Marshall — yes; Davis — yes; Kildare — no; Brett — yes; Williams — no; O’Shea — yes; Wortham — yes.

Next steps: staff will prepare the mailed and published notice tied to the adopted map and schedule the required public hearing, and the Planning Commission will hear the proposal as part of the ordinance process. The council and planning staff said they may hold a town-hall–style public meeting ahead of or concurrent with the hearing to allow more community feedback.