Minden Press-Herald Coverage

Historic District proposal approved

Written by Josh Beavers
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
The city council took steps last night to assist residents in their efforts to protect the historic integrity of the Minden Historic District.
The council unanimously approved an ordinance that sets aesthetic standards on the district and at the same time creates a commission to make decisions similar to those faced by homeowner associations found in subdivisions such as Ridgewood and Woodhaven.
The ordinance is a lengthy document that addresses a great number of areas. Everything from landscaping to outbuildings to garages and alterations are covered in the proposal. It will go into effect in 30 days.
“I am so excited that after 16 years of waiting the city of Minden has made the final steps to recognize and protect the Historic Residential District,” said Schelley Brown, chair of the Minden Residential Historic Preservation Study Committee. “It means that for many years to come people will be able to step back in time while looking at a beautiful, well maintained, harmonious neighborhood when they drive through here.
"But it's not over," she added.
What Brown means is that the council's action does not eliminate the possibility of a Walgreens locating in the district.
Time and again last night, Minden citizens came forward from an overflow crowd to speak to the council during a passionate yet civil public hearing. And almost every time during the two-hour session, the subject of Walgreens coming to the corner of Elm Street and Homer Road was mentioned.
Minden Mayor Bill Robertson quickly interrupted each person who mentioned commercial development.
"The zoning issue and this ordinance are two separate things," the mayor repeated.
Zoning will come up at the December meeting of the council when homeowners Craig and Mona Farley will come before the community governing board and ask that their property, 101 Homer Road, be rezoned to make way for the drugstore chain.
"We feel like our zoning issue caused this ordinance," Mona Farley said after the meeting. "We feel this ordinance is a knee jerk reaction to Walgreens."
The Farleys, as well as two other couples who reside in the district, asked that their properties be excluded from last night's proposal.
Dr. Timothy Talbert was one of those who filed for an exemption.
"I don't like the extra step of someone reviewing and deciding what is appropriate to do with my home. The home I pay for," the Minden physician told the council.
Talbert, a Natchitoches native, voiced concern over modeling a residential proposal after that city. He said he has friends and family who have to live in the "confines" of the Natchitoches historic district and their experiences are not pleasant.
"I have friends on both sides of this," he said. "I just think people have rushed ahead trying to stop something without putting the appropriate thought into it. I am cautious about someone walking onto my property and telling me what is best."
Bill Green, a historic district resident and a crafter of the proposal, said the new process is nothing more than an advisory committee to lend a hand to the homeowners.
"It's not people who will walk around with a club and whack you on the head," he said.
Brown said she feels the majority of the district can live with the proposal as all existing homes are grandfathered in. That was affirmed by City Inspector Brent Cooley, who also said the proposal only applies to the exterior of homes, not the interior. The ordinance also places no restrictions on selling property.
So what comes next now that the council has approved the ordinance?
On Nov. 15, the Farleys and other property owners will go before the Minden Regional Planning Commission to request a zoning variance. The request asks that the properties be changed from R-2 (Single Family Residential) to B-4 (Highway Commercial).
Following that meeting, the property owners will appear before the city council during the board's December meeting to learn the fate of the Walgreens push.
Both sides will be ready.
"So many historic areas disappear in the name of progress," said Jackie Lewis, a proponent of the new ordinance. "What do you say this time we give progress the boot and stand up for history?""We have a request in place and are going to take the appropriate steps," countered Farley attorney Whitney Pesnell. "We'll just see what happens."