Calhoun City Council members recognized members of Boy Scout Troop 22, several of whom are working toward their Eagle Scout designations. Mayor Jimmy Palmer observed that this troop has produced five Eagle Scouts in the past.
City council members decided Monday to table discussions on the topic until they have more information.
The decision came after members of the city’s Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) asked that the council reexamine the boundaries of the proposed residential district.
“(I think we) got the cart before the horse here,“ said Mayor Jimmy Palmer in reference to the public hearing the council conducted on the matter at the Aug. 9 meeting.
“Our intent was to move forward with the process,” he said.
Members of the historic preservation committee expressed concern in Monday’s council work session that the boundary the council considered during the Aug. 9 meeting leaves out too many historically significant homes downtown.
The boundary the council was considering ends at the inside edges of the streets it encompasses: College Street, Woodlawn Drive, Fain Street, Pisgah Way and Line Street.
One option the council needs to consider is including homes that border the outside of the boundary, committee members said.
“We were concerned about both sides of the street,” said HPC Chairman Jim Lay.
There are 31 homes inside the current boundary and 25 homes that border the outside of it, according to Downtown Development Director Suzanne Roland.
Not including houses that border the boundary “leaves out some mighty historic houses,” Lay said.
Roland stressed that the boundary line is still in the planning stage, and the council may ultimately approve a different option.
It’s essential that the city decide which houses are included in the district before submitting the historic district request to the state, she said.
“If we don’t submit them (the homes) as a group, we’re going to be doing it parcel by parcel,” she explained.
Roland also said she was not sure residents outside the boundary could opt in or out of the district, contrary to council members’ previous understanding that homeowners bordering the boundary could opt in.
An original proposal from the committee included Trammel Street and Boulevard Heights. Lay asked the council members why they were not considering including those two areas.
Council member David Hammond said he would prefer to see the city start with a smaller area and work out any problems that might arise before including more homes.
“I personally like small bites,” he said.
“I just think it’s a shame that some of the most unique houses should not be included,” Lay stated. “I can understand one step at a time … (but) it surely is a lot of trouble to take (several small) steps.”
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