proposed historical preservation law in

Fayetteville might drive away the businesses the

city is seeking for downtown, warns a local

business owner.

"If

you smother everyone with all these rules, you're

not going to get the restaurants downtown,"

Alex Rodriguez told the Planning Commission

during its work session.

The

commission is expected to decide its

recommendation concerning the new ordinance

during its regular meeting Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

at City Hall.

Designed

to preserve historic resources in the city and

attract more state and federal grants for the

downtown area, the law would create a historical

review commission.

After

conducting a survey of all properties 50 years

old or older, the commission would designate

historical buildings, properties and districts in

the city, making those areas more easily eligible

for the National Register of Historic Places and

thus more easily eligible for grant money.

Rodriguez,

who owns several buildings on Fayetteville's

historic Courthouse Square, said he is concerned

that designating properties as historic under the

ordinance might also make it more difficult for

business people to use them.

Owners

of historic properties would have to get the

commission's permission before making any

significant exterior changes, and new

construction in historic districts also would

have to pass the group's scrutiny.

"It

just makes things so much longer," said

Rodriguez, adding that construction and

renovation plans already have to meet numerous

other city restrictions and pass the scrutiny of

the Planning Commission.

"Why

do we need another committee?" he said.

"I'm concerned that this might be another

layer of hassles for business people."

Commission

members pointed out that owners can take up to a

20 percent tax credit for rehabilitation work on

buildings designated as historic.

They

suggested a few minor changes in language and

added definitions, but generally seemed ready to

recommend that the City Council approve the

proposed ordinance. The ordinance has received a

thorough review and enthusiastic endorsement from

Fayetteville Main Street Committee, which is

working to revitalize the city's downtown.

If

the commission votes its approval Tuesday, City

Council could act as soon as its Monday, Feb. 7

meeting, 7 p.m. at City Hall.

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