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174 Ms. Slaughter acknowledge Mr. Toscano's leadership to ,ensure that City residents receive the best deal possible fi.om Adelphia Cable. The resolution endorsing the proposed global settlement and authorizing the City Manager to send a letter to the FCC was unanimously approved by Council. ORDINANCE: DESIGNATING WEST MAIN STREET HISTORIC DESIGN CONTROL DISTRICT Ms. Slaughter recommended that Council hold a discussion on the proposed district on West Main Street, but take no further action until November 4th to give the West Main Street Merchants Association and others an opportunity to meet and provide feedback. Ms. Slaughter noted that two vacancies currently exist on the Board of Architectural Review (BAR), and Council may change the composition of the Board to include a property owner from the new district. Ms. Slaughter said comments may be made on the proposed district individually to Council or at the end of the meeting. Mr. Huja presented and defined the area of the proposed district, saying that its purpose would be to ensure integrity of the neighborhood and continuity of design. Exterior changes would need review by the BAR, but not interior or routine maintenance. Mr. Huja reviewed the history of the proposed district, beginning with the West Main Street Task Force in 1992/93. Mr: Cox said that the district would provide assurances to all property owners that their property has the potential to be some of the most valuable in the area. 1Vh-. Cox said he hopes that property owners will see the potential good of the district in the long-term as development begins on West Main Street. Ms. Daugherty made a motion to approve the ordinance designating the design control district on West Main Street, and 1~. Cox seconded the motion. 5,ch-. Toscano discussed the composition of the Board of Architectural Review. With the newly designated design district on Ridge Street, and probable approval of West Main Street, he said it is important to involve property owners and citizens in those areas. Mr. Toscano proposed that the BAR be either expanded by one, or a commercial property owner be substituted for one of the slots that currently exists. Ms. Daugherty said she would be interested in having another commercial property owner fi.om one of the districts added. Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Ms. Slaughter said she raised the issue of expanding the BAR with the Chairman of the BAR. The Chairman indicated that adding a member might make the Board unwieldy, but he indicated a willingness to work with the Council on the matter. Mr. Toscano recommended that a letter be sent to the Planning Commission asking them to consider options of either expanding the composition of the BAR or substituting a representative for one of the existing categories and make a recommendation back to Council. Mr. Cox invited property owners on West Main Street to contact him to discuss their concerns as he has not heard fi.om them. Ms. Richards said she feels it is important for Council to reconcile merchants and property owners and clarify the design standards to which they will be held accountable. Ms. Richards said that while she knows that design control districts work well and increase property values, the West Main Street corridor is long and its historic, character is no longer intact, and she feels the property owners and merchants have a legitimate interest in defining the character of the corridor. Ms. Richards said she would like the BAR to develop a menu of options to share with owners and merchants and if a plan does not conform, then it would