Some people in Fayetteville

are worried that a proposed new historic preservation district could cost

them hundreds of thousands of dollars in property values.

Edward and Shelby Travis just

want to be able to fix their roof.

At last week's City Council

work session, Shelby Travis was told that she could repair the roof on

her house, built in 1907 and in the Main Street district, by either using

the same materials already on the roof or getting approval from the city

to use different materials.

"That's like saying, 'Here's

my checkbook, you pick it our for me,'" she said earlier this week.

With the property already coming

under Main Street regulations, she feels that this is another layer of

rules without any return for the property owner.

"Don't keep putting layers

on me without perks," she said.

The proposed ordinance that

would establish Fayetteville's Historic Preservation District has generated

a great deal of response from those whose property would be affected.

Nearly 90 minutes was spent at last week's council work session allowing

residents to speak out, and most did not like it, at least in its current

form.

Several speakers emphasized

the fact that they did not want restrictions on their property that would

prevent them from selling it or rezoning it to get what they feel is its

full value. Concern also was raised that repairs needed for property might

be too costly for owners to bear but could be mandated by the city.

"It's like the city wants

to make it [historic district] an attraction, but make the residents keep

it up," said Travis.

Mayor Kenneth Steele repeatedly

stated in the meeting that the city was looking for as much input from

residents as it could get, and there would be no quick move to adopt this

or any other ordinance. He reaffirmed that stance Tuesday.

"It's a fluid situation,"

he told The Citizen. "We might not even go forward with it.

"It's a worthy goal, but

how do you achieve that goal with the support of the citizens? If we can't,

we won't do it. It's a good idea, but I'm not in favor of intrusive government."

Tomorrow night's City Council

meeting was to be the first reading of the ordinance, but Steele said

that the matter could be sent