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City Council <br /> Meeting Minutes <br /> January 7, 2014 <br /> Page 11 of 22 <br /> 2) Allowing expenditures made by the property owner before landmarking to count <br /> towards the required match. <br /> The proposed resolution would amend Resolution No. 02, Series 2012 to address these <br /> following issues for both commercial and residential properties. <br /> Pre-Landmarking Assessments: Allows the HPC and City Council to fund a historic <br /> structure assessment for a property before the owner applies for landmarking. The <br /> owner could package the landmark and grant requests together, so the property owner, <br /> HPC, and City Council all know what each party is giving up and receiving before any <br /> agreement is finalized. If the applicant is not satisfied with the amount of grant funding <br /> offered by the City, the application can be withdrawn. The HPC would review the <br /> application and social history to determine if there is "probable cause to believe the <br /> building may be eligible for landmarking." If probable cause is found, commercial <br /> property owners will be eligible for up to $6,000, and residential property owners will be <br /> eligible for up to $900, for an historic structure assessment. The City would receive <br /> copies of all historic structure assessments paid for by the City. <br /> Accepting funding for an historic structure assessment would not obligate a property <br /> owner to apply for landmarking, nor would it obligate the City to approve any <br /> subsequent landmark application. If funding for an historic structure assessment is <br /> provided before landmarking, it would not be eligible for additional historic structure <br /> assessments after landmarking. The HPC would make the final determination on <br /> whether to award funding. The City Council would make annual budget appropriations <br /> setting a maximum amount granted for this purpose. Alternatively, the City Council may <br /> require each grant be approved by Council individually. City Council may also reserve <br /> the right to make a decision on appeal if an application is denied <br /> Matching for Prior Expenditures: Landmarked properties are eligible for focused <br /> preservation/restoration grants of up to $100,000 for commercial and $15,000 for <br /> residential, which must be matched dollar for dollar by the property owner. The <br /> proposed resolution would allow past expenditures by the property owner to be counted <br /> towards the required match amount. To be considered, the work would need to be of a <br /> nature and quality such that it would have been eligible for grant funding had it been <br /> completed after the structure was landmarked. Only work completed within the three <br /> years prior to landmarking would be considered, and documentation of the expenses <br /> would be required. This would allow property owners to receive credit for important work <br /> done before landmarking, and potentially encourage the timely maintenance and <br /> upkeep of structures instead of delaying necessary work until after landmarking. <br /> COUNCIL COMMENTS <br /> Mayor Pro Tem Dalton inquired when the Council will see a recommendation from the <br /> Historic Preservation Commission on the subject of the period of historic significance for <br /> the City of Louisville. Planner II Robinson explained the Commission has applied for a <br />