vision2020
Re: Zoning Ordinances
Tim:
I think Linda Pall's comment earlier is instructive. There has been little
interest in "esthetics" legislation. To some extent that is different from
your comments about underground utilities and off-street parking, although
there is certainly an esthetic element to those. The city currently has rather
detailed off-street parking regulations for new construction and improvements
to exisiting buildings. Whether they should be more limiting and in which
specific zones of the city is certainly something that could be discussed, but
not here in any depth. On the other side of the discussion is the question of
what colors, designs, and architectural features you are allowed to have for
your building, whether it's a house or a storage shed. Even a site that is
architecturally appealing to everyone (if that's possible) can be hideous to
most if the signs are garish. Witness the "instant loan" buildings in
Lewiston. They attract maximum attention by apparently trying to stick out
like Rudolph's nose. But, it is a very difficult area to legislate because it
borders the area of personal taste. Given the finite human resources on the
Council and other Commissions in town, it doesn't make a lot of sense to invest
the time and energy to developing an ordinance that is not widely
supported--however appropriate it may be. I do hope that we don't have to
experience another of the trial-and-error lessons Linda mentioned by having to
respond to an increasing number of "in-you-face" construction.
Mike Curley
> From: "Tim Hillebrand" <thillebr@moscow.com>
> To: "Vision2020" <vision2020@moscow.com>
> Subject: Zoning Ordinances
> Date: Sun, 3 Oct 1999 04:36:20 -0700
> Importance: Normal
> Kenton Bird's question about zoning ordinances and Linda Pall's answer that
> there are none is not surprising, but deplorable. For instance, right on
> Main Street someone puts up a shiny, blue, aluminum building and then stores
> unsightly old hulks of appliances in plain view of anyone driving through
> town. I shudder to think what's going to go up on the corner of A and Main.
> (Anyone know?) Moscow needs some kind of architectural board of review and
> stricter ordinances and covenants regarding such things as underground
> utilities and adequate OFF street parking.
>
> I wonder what the city council candidates feel about zoning ordinances or
> all they willing to allow the free for all to continue unabated?
>
> Tim
>
>
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