Preservationists love the tax break Durham property owners can get by having their property designated historic landmarks. It allows any exterior changes to be approved or disapproved by the Historic Preservation Commission. The more properties that get this designation, the longer a neighborhood can retain its original character. It also is a helpful tool for neighborhood activists who want to keep so-called McMansions from invading their territory.
But here’s the rub. Some elected city officials (Mayor Bill Bell and Council Members Diane Catotti and Eugene Brown) apparently covet this lost tax money more than they value neighborhoods keeping their character. Here’s Catotti on the subject:
“I’m very concerned that recognizing these as historic diminishes the tax base,” she said. “This is just a huge tax break, and frankly, we have huge revenue needs.”
Action on the pending applications for the tax break are being delayed while council members chew this over. My prediction: The neighborhood activists and historic preservationists will besiege the fence sitters and they will quickly restate their support for historic preservation tax breaks.
