What will the vacant spot downtown look like?

If the city finishes up and passes a discussed new ordinance, the answer to that question could be somewhat pre-determined.

City council has requested that community development director Craig Hoium draft an ordinance that would layout some regulations on what property owners could — and could not— do in the downtown district when it comes to the exterior appearances of new buildings.

And while the ordinance would extend to all new development downtown, it’s first test would likely be new properties at the site of January’s fire.

“We want to make sure we maintain a minimum architectural integrity,” Hoium said.

A draft ordinance does not yet exist, but Hoium said it will likely include provisions on materials that could be used in construction and in what proportions, which is common among similar ordinances in other communities.

He also stressed that the ordinance would not require owners to remodel current stores — it would only extend to new structures.

At the fire site, it would affect Sam Nguyen, who has said he wants to bring back his Top Ten Nails store, and possibly Maria Leon, who has not commented on her intentions for the number of properties she owns.

Some neighboring store owners have said they’d support the ordinance.

Sandy Bell, who owns Twice is Nice on Main Street, said it’s important that the area have a common feel.

“I think there should be some restrictions,” she said. “You got to take some pride in the Main Street in your town.”

Steve’s Pizza co-owner Steve Davis agreed with Bell.

“I think it’s probably a good idea,” he said. “We want everything to sort of fit in.”

Not everyone is in support of a possible ordinance — councilman John Martin said during an Oct. 5 council meeting that such restrictions would be “un-American.”

But Hoium said a lot has been done to revitalize downtown — such as the work done as part of the Main Street Project — and the new ordinance would simply make sure those efforts wouldn’t be wasted.

He added that he plans to have a draft ordinance ready for the council to vote on by the end of the year.