Rather than eliminate its Historic Preservation Commission, the Village of Pinehurst is trying to limit its power through state legislation.

The Village Council Tuesday night agreed to ask Rep. Jamie Boles to work on a bill that if passed would make the historic commission and advisory body that reports to the council.

Village Manager Andy Wilkison said the council could have a proposed bill within two weeks. At that time it would be up to the council to review it, and ultimately pass a resolution of support for the proposed legislation.

The legislation is an attempt to keep the village's current historic district. By state law, if a community has such a district it must have a regulatory commission.

Village Council has sought a way to limit the HPC's authority and streamline what some call a cumbersome process ever since the commission denied a certificate of appropriateness for the village-proposed enhancement project to the downtown parking lot and the Village Green.

Work is underway on that project, but it was delayed nearly seven months by costly appeals following the HPC's original ruling last summer.

The decision was reached following a lengthy public hearing. Three members of the seven-member commission attended the meeting, including chair Howard Warren.

One of the main concerns over the proposed change was that by making the commission an advisory commission, the village would lose the body's ability to provide a check and balance to the council for projects that come before the council.

For more see Friday's print edition of The Pilot.