New downtown Decorah design guidelines are being considered which would give greater weight to historical factors

Recently downtown Decorah was named to the National Register of Historic Places.  The new designation is leading the Decorah Historic Preservation Commission to ask that zoning applications for downtown Decorah be voluntarily reviewed by the HPC.  New downtown guidelines in some cases are less restrictive than before—for instance, paint colors will not be regulated.

The language being proposed to be added to the city's C-3 zoning district says, "preferred options for the treatment of historic properties are, in order of preference: 1) to retain, preserve, and repair; 2) to reconstruct in accordance with available documentation; 3) to alter or add to meet changing uses, while retaining and reflecting the property's historic character."

The proposed language also suggests brick, stone, stucco, and in some cases wood should be used as the primary exterior materials and that existing historic materials like brick or stone should be preserved and restored, rather than covered over with stucco, wood, metal, or paint.

Comments on the proposed changes should be made to Decorah City Hall by the end of the first week in February.