EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The City of El Paso’s Planning and Inspections Department has scheduled an additional community open house to gather public input on proposed updates to the part of the City Code that governs historic landmark preservation.
The additional meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 23 at the Nestor Valencia Transfer Center, 9065 Alameda, in collaboration with City Council District 7 and the Mission Trail Association, the City said.
This event extends a series of public outreach efforts that began in June. In addition to this open house, City staff have engaged with neighborhood associations, developers, and historic preservation stakeholders to ensure broad awareness and collect feedback, the City said.
The proposed updates to Chapter 20.20, which governs historic landmark preservation, are designed to modernize the ordinance, simplify review and permitting processes, and align local policies with state preservation law and national best practices, the City said.
These changes may directly affect property owners, developers, and residents in or near the City’s designated historic districts.
Chapter 20.20, originally adopted in 1978 and last updated in 2006, outlines how the City designates, reviews, and protects historic properties.
The proposed revisions aim to:
- Clarify ordinance language and reduce ambiguity
- Streamline the designation and permitting process
- Align with state law and the City’s development codes
- Maintain the City’s Certified Local Government (CLG) status, which provides access to technical support and preservation grants
Updates include changes to how historic status is designated, the treatment of contributing vs. non-contributing properties, and the review process for proposed modifications — all intended to preserve the character of El Paso’s historic districts while supporting responsible development, the City said.
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