Government Affairs
2008 Election Candidates and Candidate Survey Responses back to main Candidate page
Candidate Survey Responses – On The Issues – Each Question, All Candidates
5. The City of Flagstaff’s Historic Overlay Zoning District has generated a high profile lawsuit on behalf of citizens who seek to improve their properties, but are not restricted by the Overlay Zoning. What is your opinion of the Overlay Zoning? Would you have voted for/against this zoning change?
Mayor Joseph Donaldson
In my opinion, the Overlay Zoning accommodates an individual who wants to declare their property as Historic as long as it meets the qualifications of an historic designation. Individual property owners are entitled to do with their property as they wish as long as it fits the community vision. In my opinion, neighborhoods that wish to preserve their historic character have the right as a majority of property owners to make that decision and establish internal guidelines that assure their historic neighborhood character. I support neighborhoods and what they want their community environment to be.
Sara Presler-Hoefle
This was a community based initiative, driven by the community itself. Certainly, homeowners should be able to improve their property and this issue has created conflict within the district. I probably would have voted for the zoning change because of the increased value to the entire community. Infill and building up rather than out is a community priority. Therefore, we should balance the amount of overlay districts in our community.
Karla Brewster
I would have voted in favor of it as 60% of that community wanted the historic district which is a majority. There is also an appeal process that those citizens could have tried before they sued (but didn’t try) where there may have been exceptions made for height restrictions. They wanted this to be a test case of the state wide proposition passed on potential devaluing of property by governmental agencies. Cities should have an interest in preserving historic areas for future generations with overlay zoning of these areas, particularly, if the citizens of those areas want it done.
Coral Evans
As the Southside Community Association’s Executive Director the downtown Historic Overlay Zoning District topic has come up in several neighborhood discussions in a general way. As such I have basic knowledge of proposal, however I do not feel that I know enough about the integrate details of the proposal to state whether or not I support or oppose it at this time.
I can state, however, that I believe that all of the effected properties inside of the proposed zoning district should have a vote (say) in any building/zoning changes and/or restrictions that will ultimately affect them.
Morgan Hagaman
This lawsuit has proven that the city needs to be extremely careful when it comes to doing these types of changes. Any time you mess with a person’s property rights there are going to be problems. I believe that the city is going to continue to have problems with this change. I would have voted against the zoning change.
John McCulloch
I think the city is going to lose this case. I would not have supported the zoning change.
Micole Shorty
I would have voted for the Overlay Zoning because the downtown area is part of Flagstaff’s character and should be preserved.
Al White
I did vote for it and would again. 60% of those in the Overlay Zone expressed an interest in the preservation of their historic neighborhood. Most others said nothing. The few who opposed had recourse thru appeals and mitigating review processes that may have allowed property improvements and chose not to use them. |
