Preservation commission seeks public input on demolition policy

COLUMBIA — The Historic Preservation Commission will hold a public  meeting to discuss a proposed demolition permit policy at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the mezzanine of the Daniel Boone Building.

The proposed policy would require applicants to indicate on the demolition permit application if the building is more than 50 years old, located in a historic district or has any historic significance.

When the Protective Inspections Division, which issues demolition permits, receives a permit application for a building over 50 years old, it would send it to the Historic Preservation Commission and hold the permit for 10 days. The extra time would allow the commission time to review the permit. If the commission chooses, they can  contact the applicant and discuss alternatives to demolition.

The new policy would not authorize the commission to stop demolitions but would allow better communication between the Protective Inspections Division and the Historic Preservation Commission. It also would give the commission the opportunity to document or photograph the building before it is demolished. The 10-day hold can be overridden if the building is considered dangerous to the public.