Woodstock officials have long sought to preserve the 19th Century charm of the city’s downtown.
But some are wondering whether the historic character could be preserved just as well with modern building materials.
City regulations now require that buildings in Woodstock’s historic district be constructed of brick, stone or wood–materials used in the 1800s–and that window frames, for example, be wood.
Some officials are considering changing the rules because, they say, many shop owners and landlords in the district have been using materials that are not allowed, mostly for replacement windows and awnings, and ignoring a requirement to consult first with the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.
During a joint meeting Tuesday night of the City Council and the Historic Preservation Commission, Mayor Brian Sager said he would be inclined to change city rules and allow cheaper materials as long as they resembled the original and preserve the historic nature of the district.
Sager said he was concerned about putting a financial burden on business owners.
City Councilman Mike Turner agreed. “I’m concerned about how it looks,” Turner said. “I look at a wall, I see a wall. I’m not concerned what’s behind the wall.”
Minor repairs to buildings in the historic district are supposed to be approved by the historic commission. But owners can appeal to the City Council.
Officials say that building owners have been doing rehab work using cheaper materials without asking permission from the commission and asking for variances after they have been cited.
“It’s easier to ask forgiveness than ask permission,” Sager said. “It’s difficult to take punitive action.”
Sager also said that the 100-year-old City Hall building, which is in the historic downtown district, has aluminum-clad rather than wood windows.
Historic commission members say they are willing to agree to changes that would allow other kinds of materials–for example, plywood and aluminum-clad windows–but Timothy Art, commission chairman, was adamant about not allowing vinyl windows.
“Identifying quality materials is the answer,” Art said. “We’ve got to weed out the marginal products.”
The downtown square was the setting for the movie “Groundhog Day” and is home to the Woodstock Opera House built in 1889.
The Historic Preservation Commission will discuss possible changes to the rules at a meeting Monday at City Hall.
