During a recent Warrenton Board of Aldermen meeting, Ward 2 Alderman Gary Auch offered clarification of the status of proposed rules for the city’s Main Street district.

Auch said he was responding to comments that followed a proposal to enact stricter maintenance requirements for buildings along Main Street. The city is seeking public input on the proposed  rules over a 90-day comment period.

“The purpose of the comment period is to allow the public to either come stand at the podium (at a board meeting), or contact their local elected officials to give their input on this,” Auch explained.

Broadly speaking, the proposed rules address a number of building features and require that they be kept structurally sound and in good repair.  After public input and revisions, a final version of the rules could be approved as early as January 2020.

“This is a discussion about making sure that everybody in the downtown area takes care of their buildings. It’s not intended to be burdensome,” Auch said. “The city has, on more than one occasion, said we’re willing to work with property owners.”

Auch said the city’s aim is to help rejuvenate the downtown area. He said it will be critical to get public feedback, and when the time comes make a decision about the best course of action.

Auch’s comments at the Nov. 5 board of aldermen meeting followed previous criticism from Ward 1 Alderman Cheryl Dyer, who said she fears the proposed rules will burden property owners and discourage future investment in downtown Warrenton. Dyer said businesses operating on slim margins might have trouble meeting higher maintenance standards.

The proposed maintenance rules would be enforced by annual inspections and potential fines.