Good afternoon. I am writing regarding the March 20, 2024 minutes. While I certainly can appreciate the effort put forth in taking notes during a meeting, I would like to clarify that the main point of my speech to the DRC/staff that night was not only to 'expressed concerns with the impact the Objective Design Standards will have on the Historic Preservation of Old Towne' (taken directly from the minutes). That was merely one sentence out of the three paragraphs of copy read at that meeting. My main point was that for many years, OTPA has worked closely with staff, first establishing the design guidelines, and then updating them, when needed. That no public workshops or community input was included with the Objective Design Standards and, more importantly, that OTPA was never, not once, notified about these standards being reviewed by the DRC. Below is my speech as written, and stated, at DRC on 3/20/24. Respectfully, Diana Zdene, OTPA
For decades the city has collaborated with OTPA and the community. First to create the design guidelines, then the design standards, and then the updates to those standards. Now, today, here we are compromising decades of work to preserve our built heritage with zero community input.
Maybe the city intends on having community workshops at some point in this process, however, the DRC is the approving body in this city that is required to have familiarity with historic preservation practices and regulations. It would be essential for us to have those workshops in conjunction with THAT group, the DRC, who understand what we're talking about. I presume that the City may intend to hold community workshops somewhere through this process, but it's tonight that we are asking for feedback from the group that is most versed, the ONLY group, that is versed in application of historic preservation standards that sits up on that dais. These objective design standards as currently written, still leave tremendous latitude that could impact our historic resources.
OTPA meets regularly with staff to review historic preservation issues. Not once was this issue brought to our attention. Everyone in this room the DRC members, staff, the management team are all here to serve the public and conduct the public’s business. I’m here tonight stating how absolutely disappointed I am with the lack of transparency with this issue.
Good afternoon. I am writing regarding the March 20, 2024 minutes. While I certainly can appreciate the effort put forth in taking notes during a meeting, I would like to clarify that the main point of my speech to the DRC/staff that night was not only to 'expressed concerns with the impact the Objective Design Standards will have on the Historic Preservation of Old Towne' (taken directly from the minutes). That was merely one sentence out of the three paragraphs of copy read at that meeting. My main point was that for many years, OTPA has worked closely with staff, first establishing the design guidelines, and then updating them, when needed. That no public workshops or community input was included with the Objective Design Standards and, more importantly, that OTPA was never, not once, notified about these standards being reviewed by the DRC. Below is my speech as written, and stated, at DRC on 3/20/24. Respectfully, Diana Zdene, OTPA
For decades the city has collaborated with OTPA and the community. First to create the design guidelines, then the design standards, and then the updates to those standards. Now, today, here we are compromising decades of work to preserve our built heritage with zero community input.
Maybe the city intends on having community workshops at some point in this process, however, the DRC is the approving body in this city that is required to have familiarity with historic preservation practices and regulations. It would be essential for us to have those workshops in conjunction with THAT group, the DRC, who understand what we're talking about. I presume that the City may intend to hold community workshops somewhere through this process, but it's tonight that we are asking for feedback from the group that is most versed, the ONLY group, that is versed in application of historic preservation standards that sits up on that dais. These objective design standards as currently written, still leave tremendous latitude that could impact our historic resources.
OTPA meets regularly with staff to review historic preservation issues. Not once was this issue brought to our attention. Everyone in this room the DRC members, staff, the management team are all here to serve the public and conduct the public’s business. I’m here tonight stating how absolutely disappointed I am with the lack of transparency with this issue.