The Oklahoma State Capital

Council chambers were filled Thursday night as the re-write of the Historical Ordinance continued to create interest and input from the owners of buildings located within the Historic District.

The issue, which began with the purposed demolition of the Rock Island Depot in 1998, intensified on Tuesday, July 11, as the City Council overruled the Townsite Commission on two out of three issues. Harriet Lerner, who owns the Rock Island Depot on South Division, appealed three rulings of the Townsite Commission to the Council.

The Townsite Commission did not accept Lerner's application for window replacements of her choice. In a 4-3 vote, the Council voted to uphold the Commission's decision and force Mrs. Lerner to use windows that met the specification of the Historical Ordinance and Townsite Specifications. In a long exchange of dialog, Lerner, an associate of hers, and Townsite Commission Chair Charles Scott, argued for and against the validity of the ruling. Ward III Councilor Aguirre spoke in favor of Lerner's appeal, saying that her work to re-build the structure was a Gift Horse. Reminding the councilors that not too long before the Depot was in danger of being torn down, he urged his fellow councilors to note this and rule in Lerner's favor. Ward II Councilor Foster disagreed. He felt that the Townsite Commission had made the correct ruling and said that the Historical Ordinance must be respected.

After significant discussion, Ward I Councilor Morelli moved that Lerner be allowed to put in windows of her choice and that the Townsite Commission's ruling be overturned. This motion prompted a groan of despair from Townsite Commission Chair Charles Scott. The motion was promptly seconded by Ward III Councilor Aguirre. In a 4-3 vote the council voted NO to Morelli's motion and upheld the Townsite Commission's ruling. The key vote appeared to be Ward II Councilor Chambers, who deliberated his options for several seconds prior to casting his vote to uphold the ruling.

In unanimous decisions, the council then overturned the two other commission requirements. One requirement would have forced Lerner to put in a specifically sized door and another to use consistent railings.

On Thursday, July 18, local property owners packed to capacity the council chambers to meet with City Manager Bret Jones and city staff concerning the purposed new ordinance. Various opinions were expressed, many of which revealed concern that the new ordinance was restrictive. City Staff member Melody Kellogg explained that the new ordinance was drafted to clarify and simplify preservation issues. In reality, the new ordinance did not appear to be any more restrictive than the old one.

Guthrie resident Jon Gummerson drew applause when he pled with the property owners not to let this issue divide them. He stated that he knew many of the people in the room and that it hurt to see division occurring between them.

Bret Jones indicated that the proposed ordinance may once again have to be re-written due to the significant dissatisfaction expressed. Future action on the issue is at this time uncertain but Jones indicates it will involve input from and interaction with the property owners.