Bills Impose Accountability on Powerful Historic Districts

Bills Impose Accountability on Powerful Historic Districts [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
Current law lets handful of activists restrict property owners' choices
For nearly a half century, small numbers of architectural preservation activists have used a device called study commissions to get portions of Michigan communities designated as historic districts. These commissions tend to be dominated by the activists and often make decisions that infringe the private property rights of many people.
But the rules of the game may soon change.
...Among other things the legislation would raise the threshold for creating a historic district: Two-thirds of the affected property owners would have to give their assent.
The bills would expand individual rights in several other ways as well.
...Under current law, once a historic district is created it becomes nearly permanent, regardless of whether people in the community support it. 
Also, the district boundaries can be altered and even expanded by Lansing bureaucrats — without notice to or input from affected property owners.
The the current law was well-meant when it was adopted back in 1970, but over the decades, it has morphed into something that often lacks common sense.
This legislation will provide that common sense by enhancing local control and increasing the rights of property owners...”