This is a matter of wide-reaching implications. The "public interest" is not adequately defined by the Historical Commission ordinance or its rules and regulations. In the absence of such definitions, the concept of public interest is amorphous and potentially gigantic. Therefore DAG urges the Commission to table this case and lead a public discussion of the concept of the public interest as it applies to historic preservation decisions and draft rules and regulations governing the consideration of such cases before returning to make a decision. If an immediate decision is required, we urge the commission to reject the application.
David B. Brownlee
Vice Chair, DAG
