At the March 25 Board of Aldermen meeting, members used the discussion of the letter to debate whether property owners should be able to opt out of the designation. Ward 1 Alderman Bill Roche said he has heard complaints of homeowners struggling with the commission.

"I have a homeowner in Ward 1 wanting to replace the windows in his house," Roche said. "The Historic Commission wouldn't let him. Homeowners shouldn't have to go through that."

"I think they should have a say in this," he added.

The aldermen also discussed the Curtatone Administration's proposed plan to set aside funds to help homeowners pay for upkeep.

Ward 5 Alderman Sean O'Donovan said he heard a complaint from the family of an 82-year-old homeowner recently presented with notification that his home was being designated as historic.

"I won't be able to support this until there's a mechanism to help people afford (the necessary maintenance)."

Alderman-at-Large Bill White countered that the city stands to lose historic property to new development if opting-out is allowed.

"There are a lot of houses that have been knocked down," White said. "You'd hate to see that happen again in the future."

A hearing on the properties currently slated to be designated historic will take place at City Hall April 6.