Tovo puts brakes on historic zoning proposal

Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo withdrew a resolution she was intending to introduce Thursday that would have made it harder for property owners to demolish certain buildings. Under the proposal, if the Historic Landmark Commission failed to approve a motion to initiate historic zoning for a property, it would have to take a separate vote on whether to permit the property to be demolished. A demolition would require a two-thirds majority. Tovo said that rather than put forward her proposal now, she would ask city staff to review her proposal and other options for addressing what she sees as an “inconsistency” in city code. She noted, however, that she had received “overwhelming” support for her proposed resolution.