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. . June 17,1993 Plan Commission Meeting Minutes Page 3 that few art deco structures were constructed in the St. Louis area. The Beverly / Fine Arts Theater facade is one of the rare examples that still remains. Ralph Petty, Assistant Pastor of the Higher Heights stated that the congregation is committed to preserving the building. They have done extensive repairs to bring the building up to code. During the renovation, they discovered decorative woodwork in the interior which was cleaned up and restored. Mr. Kahn asked if Higher Heights was willing to work with the HPC in any capacity. Ms. Battle Turner replied that the church prefers to make decisions about the building and its renovation on their own without interference from the government's hierarchical bureaucracy. Higher Heights views the historic designation as an interference with the property owner's right to owning land in fee simple. The designation will be an unwanted added regulation. Mr. Kahn asked how the relationship would work between the HPC and an unwilling property owner. Mr. Hamilton stated that historic designations are commonly made against the will of property owners throughout the country. Judy Little, 6325 Waterman, emeritus member of the HPC, stated that to date, there has never been an appeal by a property owner against the recommendation of the University City HPC. Mr. Foxworth stated that the Mt. Olive School was considered an historic structure against the owner's will when it was occupied by a predominantly black church. It was later demolished in order to build a Firestone store. Ms. Battle Turner commented that historic designation only mattered until money is involved. Mr. Goldman stated that the Mt. Olive School Building was only considered by the HPC for historic designation. The proposed designation was withdrawn because of the objections of the church that occupied the building. At a later date, the church was sold to the developers of Westover Center. Ms. Ratner emphasized that ~34-113.2(b) of the Zoning Code limits the Plan Commission to reviewing the report and bill from the Historic Preservation Commission in terms of compatibility with the Comprehensive Plans of the City. She feels that the designation is compatible with the Comprehensive Plan because the general tenor of the plan is supportive of preservation in the community and nothing in the plan is inconsistent with the HPC recommendation. She commends Higher Heights for their outstanding upkeep of the building and has no reservation that they will continue to do so. However, one of the functions of an historic designation is to preserve the building for the future while it is still in good shape. A subsequent owner might let the building go into disrepair. For those reasons, she will vote in favor of the designation. Ms. Battle Turner stated designating the building is incompatible with the Comprehensive Plans. That area of Olive is within a commercial district. The building is surrounded by a CarX, a Mister Donut, a Firestone and many other commercial buildings. The Comprehensive Plan does not call for this particular building to be preserved among the other commercial uses. m-6-17.plc