FOLEY — The boundaries of Foley’s historic district are still undetermined.

Following a public hearing Tuesday, the Foley Historic Commission decided to hold off on shrinking the boundaries of the city’s historic district.

Currently, that district includes the downtown portion of the Forward City that spans from north of Magnolia Avenue to West Verbena Avenue and from South Pine Street to North Cypress Street.

Previously, qualified buildings within those areas were recognized by both the Alabama Historical Commission and the National Registry of Historic Preservation. For maintaining the historic integrity of those buildings, that recognition afforded home and building owners such benefits as a federal and state tax credit.

“If you follow regulations to protect the outside and interior of the building’s historic integrity,” Alabama Historical Commission Preservation Planner Mary Shell said at Tuesday’s meeting.

But recently, review of several buildings on the fringe of the district resulted in their removal from state and/or federal recognition.

David Schneider of Schneider Historic Preservation LLC explained that he recently reviewed the district and found several buildings had lost national recognition due to changes to them, including Magnolia House and Dairy Queen.

Further discussion of the issue resulted in the suggestion that it is not necessary for the city of Foley to follow state and national guidelines when defining its own historic district.

But Foley City Administrator Mike Thompson pointed out that some residents and business owners might not be interested in being required to maintain a city-define historical standard if they receive no benefit in returns. He then suggested the idea of offering such benefits as free water or garbage pick-up.

Further discussion resulted in waiting until the commission’s next meeting in August before considering whether to reduce the city’s historic district. In the meantime, the commission asked Foley Community Development Coordinator Miriam Boutwell to send letters to those who might be affected by the commission’s decision. In that letter, she was asked to solicit feedback on the issue.

“I want to hear from the public,” Commission member Jack Purser said.

“It would be prudent,” Foley City Councilman Charlie Ebert agreed.

The commission said that not only would it like to hear from the public at next month’s meeting, but also by mail or email before then.

The next Foley Historical Commission meeting will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, at Foley City Hall. For more information about providing feedback on historic district boundaries, visit www.cityoffoley.org.