Shreveport Times Coverage

Historic district gets nod from Minden City CouncilOctober 30, 2007
By Vickie WelbornVwelborn@gannett.com

MINDEN — Support for a recognized historic residential district was mixed with opposition Monday night but it did not deter the unanimous approval by the Minden City Council meeting during a special session.The vote means the city's district of approximately 71 buildings must now adhere to specific guidelines when it comes time for construction, demolition or remodeling projects, and even details such as paint colors and landscaping schemes. And the same law creates a mayor-appointed five-member commission that will govern the district.
Minden's historic district has been listed with the National Register of Historic Places since 1992, but it lacked the necessary teeth to enforce the suggested restrictions or the governing authority to carry them out.More than 100 Minden residents filled the chamber meeting room. While the issue has been an emotional one, feelings were kept in check as Mayor Bill Robertson directed all speakers to limit their comments to the issue at hand, and not partner it with a pending rezoning request from property owners Mona and Craig Farley. That separate but somewhat linked issue will be up for discussion before the Minden Regional Planning Commission on Nov. 15.Unlike past meetings where the Farley's have been the only ones speaking against the historic district ordinance, several of their neighbors joined them Monday night in opposing the restrictions, but not the district itself.Attorney Whitney Pesnell, who represented the Farleys, noted that his clients and two other property owners asked to be exempted from the district.Tim Talbert, a Broadway Street resident originally from Natchitoches, was one who joined the Farleys in seeking exclusion. Talbert said the homeowner should be able to make his own decisions on his property. He doesn't feel he should have to seek approval to make changes to his home."I don't like the extra step to ask somebody else on what to do with my home," Talbert said.Gloria Sullivan, a Minden native who had owned her home for seven years, agreed. "We really don't need a lot of guidelines to take care of our home or to paint our home or who to sell it to."Interior changes to homes in the residential district and sales of the property are not affected by the ordinance, said building inspector Brent Cooley to a question raised by Councilman Benny Gray.Councilman Rodney Seamster questioned legalities of the ordinance, including a provision that allows the district commission to file suit against property owners for violation of the restrictions.Councilwoman Magaline Quarles said the historic district commission is not meant to be a dictatorship but a manner in which to "maintain what you have or to be upgraded."What's in existence today would be grandfathered in. No one will go out forcing anyone to make changes, Cooley said.Schelley Brown, who chaired a committee tasked with studying the pros and cons of the district, said approximately 98 percent living within its boundaries were supportive. A main concern of the residents of the stately homes was commercial encroachment, which many fear was steadily endangering the integrity of the historical structures.Commercial structures are prohibited from the district; however, new businesses such as bed and breakfast establishments or a tea room are acceptable."When you buy a home in a residential district you expect it to stay residential," Brown said.Brown ventured into concerns about plans for a Walgreens at the corner of Homer Road and Elm Street, which is in the district, but Robertson directed Brown and others to limit comments to the historic district ordinance, and not a pending rezoning request from Walgreens."It's hard to separate the two," Brown said.Jackie Lewis lives in a nearly 100-year-old home and believes the historic district ordinance should be approved without exemption. She pointed out other important sites that have been torn down in the name of progress.She encouraged giving "progress the boot" and standing up for history.Rose Byles values the historic district but does not believe it's the city's only asset.Bill Green said the historic district regulations are no different from subdivision homeowners association. He likens the district commission as an advisory board that would work with homeowners on any problems they would have.Debbie Gibson sought a compromise. She cautioned against a "knee jerk" reaction, and said the city will continue to grow if everyone's concerns are considered, whether their roots in Minden are shallow or deep.Said historic district property owner Dawn Pearson: "I don't approve of someone telling me what I can or can't do. Unless you are going to foot the bill you have no say."The Farleys have said previously they are entertaining the Walgreens proposal because of a growing concern about the condition of their 104-year-old home, which is in dire need of costly repairs. Walgreens has agreed to cover cost of moving the Farley's house, while at the same time creating a memorial park that would commemorate a black Civil War regiment with ties to the land. The park, proposed to be about 100-by-300 feet, would sit at the corner of Homer Road and Elm Street, while the Walgreens and an unnamed coffee house, both built in a southern colonial style, would sit further back on the lot.The new law goes into effect in 30 days.©The TimesOctober 30, 2007