A vote on giving landmark status to the H.M. Patterson & Son building was postponed in an Atlanta Urban Design Commission meeting Wednesday.

AUDC Executive Director Doug Young recommended the commission take up a resolution extending the amount of time before a vote so staff could continue to "engage with the property owner" towards a solution. The 90-year-old mortuary — which is listed as one of Atlanta's most endangered historic places by the Atlanta Preservation Center — is owned by Houston-based Service Corporation International.

If the funeral home were awarded the landmark status, approval would have to be issued before anyone could make certain updates, such as changing the exterior appearance, erecting a new structure, or demolishing or moving all or part of the building. The vote was also deferred at the previous two AUDC meetings.

During this week’s meeting, Young clarified that interim control measures which protect the property during the designation process would remain in place during an extension. An SCI representative said he was in favor of the resolution.

The resolution passed unamiously.

H.M. Patterson & Son in 1929.
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H.M. Patterson & Son's Midtown location, known as Spring Hill Chapel, opened in 1928 — well before that area was populated by skyscrapers or MARTA. Today the white structure sits on a hill with a sprawling lawn and garden on the bustling corner of Spring and 10th streets.

The potential "landmark buildings and sites" status comes at an important time, as indications point towards new plans for the property. The city has indicated that the property is for sale, and SCI previously commissioned Beck Group to create a concept for a mixed-use office, residential and hotel complex on the site.

Public AUDC meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. at City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue SW. It’s not clear when this topic will next be on the agenda.

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Joe Rich had moved to 3935 Paces Manor 2.5 year ago. on Tuesday, Sept. 22,2009, he was trapped at his house with no way out - but a boat. He has been ferrying various things back and forth and is surprised he still has power. Vinings residents were dealing with a major flooding issue Tuesday, as the Chattahoochee River made its way along the banks near Paces Ferry Road.  Many residents with upscale homes were hit hard, some for the second time since an earlier post millennia flooding episode. Since early Monday, seven lives have been taken and several other people remain missing. The record-setting rains also have closed schools and roads and have left people stranded in their homes. The river's level near Vinings was at 27.36 feet before daybreak Tuesday after cresting at 28.1 feet overnight. Flood stage is 14 feet, and anything above 20 feet is considered "major" flooding. (Photo: John Spink, jspink@ajc.com)

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