The Bainbridge Island City Council voted to deactivate the historic preservation committee at its meeting March 11.

Commission members resigned last year en masse, saying they were disrespected by the city and council. The Planning Commission has taken up the task since then.

The vote won’t impact previously designated historic buildings or change how the city designates historic buildings, city manager Blair King said. Buildings will continue to follow the Department of Interior standards.

Councilmember Kirsten Hytopoulos was the sole no vote. “I prefer the idea probably of an ‘as needed’ professional whose got expertise, but for us to make the move after the commitments they’ve made over the years—for historic preservation to decertify in a vacuum does not feel very good,” she said.

The city estimates that between 2011-24 the cost of historic functions was $300,000, per the historic preservation revenue and expenditure summary.

Mayor Ashley Mathews said she doesn’t want to overload the Planning Commission with those additional responsibilities.

Deputy Mayor Jon Quitslund said, “It might be appropriate in the future, when there is more activity, more attention paid to historic houses and their protection and preservation in a continuing, functioning life of the community.”