Right now, if a historic structure is demolished in downtown Wilmington, the building replacing it can be taller than the old one. But city planning staff submitted a proposal to the planning board that would change that, and require a building that replaces a historic one be no higher than the old one. Christine Hughes in the city's planning department introduced the proposal.

"On the southside of our downtown we have a wonderful historic fabric, the proposal to restrict building height relative to demolition of contributing structures really came out of the desire to protect that fabric," says Hughes.

The planning board rejected Hughes' proposal at a meeting last month and asked staff to remove height limits. Peter Devita sits on the planning board, and he does not want a single regulation applied a multitude of buildings.

"Well, I'd almost like to look at that situation on a case by case basis. To look at structure that has been taken down and look at the structure that they are proposing to put back up. To give a blanket you can't do anything over the existing structure might not be fair on either case," says Devita.

Preservationists, developers and residents see the issue differently, but most agree that high property values are good.

Kevin O'Gradey is President of the Residents of Old Wilmington. He says he hopes the height restrictions pass because they will take away economic pressure to tear down historic buildings and replace them with newer, taller ones.

"We don't have too much problem with allowing bigger buildings because it's a downtown and that's where bigger buildings should be. The problem is we have is there is no countervailing protection for the unique historic structures," says O'Gradey.

The structures may be unique, but the issue is not. Savannah's city planners are also proposing stricter height restrictions in their historic district. The city's height restrictions date back to the early 1990's.

Tom Thompson with the Savannah Planning Commission says he thinks it's crucial to maintain Savannah's historic feel.

"And we think we've found a way to respect historic fabric that exists, and to have new construction that both fits into the historic fabric that exists and adds value to a growing city," says Thompson.

Savannah's answer - extend the boundaries of the local historic district and allow developers to build new, so long as the buildings look old. Savannah's historic district, like Wilmington's, is framed by a river and the expansion will snake along the waterfront to maximize view and location.

Here in Wilmington, Council member Laura Padgget echo's Savannah's theme of melding development with preservation.

"I am concerned that we save our historic buildings and that we allow more flexibility with infill development, rather than to encourage people to tear them down," says Padgget.

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo says the city council will weigh many factors in this complex issue. He says if the council reaches a decision that no one is happy with, then they've done a good job. © Copyright 2009, whqr