MARSHALL — Proposed changes to the rules on building appearances in Marshall sparked a short debate among Marshall City Council members Tuesday.

Council members voted to call for public hearings on two proposed ordinance amendments. But some council members, including James Lozinski, said Marshall’s current ordinances for building exteriors were too restrictive and were hurting growth in the city.

The first of two proposals introduced Tuesday was an amendment to Marshall’s building exterior appearance standards. This ordinance includes rules for how a building or remodel should look, including what kind of materials (like concrete, brick or siding) are allowed in certain zoning areas. The current ordinance gives the city Planning Commission the ability to approve other materials for a building project.

The Planning Commission has asked to remove the part of the ordinance giving them the power to make aesthetic decisions, said Marshall Public Works Director Glenn Olson. The city would need to hold a public hearing before acting on the amendment.

Lozinski said the proposed amendment didn’t go far enough.

“This is an ordinance I think should be removed and re-done,” Lozinski said. Marshall’s standards for building exteriors and landscaping were too restrictive, and getting variances was costly for many people and businesses, he said.

“Contractors I have spoken to are not in favor” of the ordinances, said council member Steven Meister. Meister and Lozinski said they thought the ordinances were slowing development in Marshall.

Council member Craig Schafer argued that the council should call for a public hearing on the matter, as those discussions could be had at the hearing.

The ordinance amendment could be approved, or even sent back to committee, as a result of the hearing.

The council voted 4-2 to call for a public hearing on the proposed amendment, with Lozinski and Meister casting the votes against.

The council then acted on another similar amendment proposal, which would specifically affect buildings in the city’s downtown business area. Council members voted 5-1 to call for a public hearing on the proposal, with Lozinski casting the vote against.

Both hearings will be Aug. 8. Lozinski urged council members to talk to their constituents and encourage them to attend the hearings.