Landmarks Debate Continues, Council Hears Alternative Proposal

The debate continues over who should have the power to designate landmarks in the city.Louisville Metro’s Planning and Zoning Committee heard a new proposal Tuesday that could act as a substitute to the current proposed changes that would require over half of the 200 petition signatures necessary to request a landmarks hearing to come from residents living within one mile of the site under consideration. It also would give the council final say over what becomes a landmark.Councilman Tom Owen discussed a new idea in committee that would have at least 50 of those signatures coming from residents in the two nearest council districts.“You would quickly be able to verify they were residents and assure that it is indeed within the district where the designated landmark is," said Owen.Owen says it would also offer the two nearest council members a vote in the Landmarks Commission in place of giving the full council final say. But that still did not convince some council members who support the initial changes who were in attendance.Committee chair Jon Ackerson says council members should be ready to vote on any changes at the next committee meeting.“Whether its 50 signatures, 100 signatures, whether its two council district or all 26 council districts, or all these other things, as important as they are, I think the bottom line is, as president King pointed out, is whose got the power," he said.Click here to see the proposal not formally introduced into committee.