SAN ANGELO, Texas — The San Angelo City Council had a second reading of an ordinance about historic downtown San Angelo, adopting the ‘historic downtown’ preservation design guidelines.
It included approving a new historic district in downtown San Angelo, between Concho River, North Irving Street, East 4th Street and South Oakes Street, amending the criteria and process for a certificate of appropriateness and demolitions and establishing an administrative approval process.
This will not affect underlying zoning and not impose any requirements on existing buildings until property owners go to re-develop and make exterior improvements or demolish buildings or structures on their properties.
According to city documents, any exterior alteration, demolition or new construction including new exterior paint colors, changing windows or doors, signs, light fixtures, landscaping, to buildings or structures designated as historic or designated as a landmark individually require a certificate of appropriateness. Approval of such a certificate is given by the San Angelo Historic Preservation Commission.
COSA Assistant Director of Planning and Development Services Aaron Vannoy said he believes this ordinance will be a good idea for businesses in the long run.
“We believe it's going to be a positive effect because now they have some historical things that they can do as well as it provides some tax incentives for them all the way from just some property tax incentives,” Vannoy said.
Different business owners in the area shared mixed thoughts on the new ordinance. Some aren’t directly affected, while others believe it adds another headache to owning a business.
Legend Jewelers owner Mark Priest said over the course of years downtown, he’s seen different groups influence what’s been done in the area. He believes the new proposition can be good for local businesses as long as it’s done right.
“It's very surprising how many people pass through San Angelo because they don't want to be on the interstate. So how we look to them, it's important as long as it's done fairly and consistently,” Priest shared.
Vannoy said the next steps since the ordinance has been ordained will be to help downtown businesses with projects they may have in store and work them through the updated process.