The Miracle Mile Residential Association (MMRA) board voted to officially pursue becoming an historic preservation overlay zone (HPOZ) during its meeting last Thursday night.

Proponents of the MMRA becoming an HPOZ said it is necessary to combat encroaching development and mansionization problems in the community. Many of the homes in the association are nearing 100 years in age, representatives said.

“I am for preserving history and not cashing out to developers,” said Mark Zecca, who chaired the MMRA’s HPOZ committee and recommended the move.

The next step of the HPOZ process is for the residents association to conduct an historic resources survey of the proposed area. The process is to be initiated formally by the city council member for the district in which the HPOZ would be created.

An HPOZ would set design standards for the homes in the neighborhood in order to protect the historical character of that community as a whole.