An urban historian, a research professor and a lawyer/scholar make up the panel of historic preservation experts who will be in Palm Beach on Wednesday for a forum on historic districts.
The educational symposium is scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m. at the Flagler Museum. Overflow parking will be available along Whitehall Way.
The idea of a historic district slammed into a wall of opposition from property owners this year when it was briefly considered for a Midtown neighborhood.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission wanted to consider the three “Sea” streets for a district designation to protect their historic character. But many owners viewed the idea as a threat to their property values and rights.
The Town Council in October canceled a study on whether to designate the three streets — Seaview, Seaspray and Seabreeze avenues — as a district. But it encouraged residents to attend this week’s symposium so their opinions about historic districts, whether pro or con, are grounded in facts.
Zoning Director Josh Martin, whose department organized the symposium in collaboration with the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, said there is much to learn about how historic districts can work.
“Historic districts come in different shapes and sizes,” he said at a council meeting in October. “I don’t consider preservation to be ‘one size fits all.’”
The town said in a release that the panelists will discuss the creation and impact of historic districts, how they can benefit communities and how they might “preserve the character and charm of Palm Beach.”
The speakers include:
* Will Cook, a nationally recognized lawyer and scholar who has protected national historic landmarks, historic viewsheds, landscapes and cultural properties.
Cook teaches preservation law at Columbia University and lectures on historic preservation and cultural issues.
He is special counsel to Cultural Heritage Partners, based in Richmond, Virginia.
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