BENSON - A plan to create a downtown historic district isn't going over well with property owners concerned about their rights.

The plan aims to attract business by setting guidelines for physical changes to buildings within the district. If town commissioners approve the district, building improvements will require the OK of the town's historic preservation commission.

Preservation commission members and town officials stress that the guidelines give building owners lots of options for sprucing up their properties.

"The way we did our guidelines is a lot more lenient and flexible than most communities," said Ben Murphrey, downtown revitalization and development coordinator. "Nowhere in there do we say 'you have to paint your house this color or that color.' Instead of saying 'you can't paint your house purple,' we will give you a spectrum of what's appropriate."

Murphrey added that he thinks some of the plan's critics don't realize that. It's one reason town commissioners postponed a public hearing and decision on the matter until their Dec. 8 meeting.

"We really need this to be something that has more discussion," Mayor William Massengill said.

The town will hold an information session on the plan at 6 p.m. Nov. 24 in the conference center at town hall; the planning board will also hold a hearing at its Dec. 1 meeting and then make a recommendation to town commissioners.

But some of those who oppose the plan wanted to see it voted down during a standing room-only town commissioners' meeting last week.

"Everybody is against it except [historic commission] members," business owner William Johnson said to applause and shouts of "communism." "You're just putting off the inevitable."

Downtown property owner Ronald Kennedy said about 300 people have signed a petition opposing the plan.

"I don't think we need any more restrictions on property," he said. "I think we've got enough. My two properties are well maintained, have been for 40 years."

The plan includes about 20 pages of guidelines covering architectural style, signage and building materials. The goal is to maintain the historic character of buildings and make them fit in with surrounding properties, improving property values in the process. Examples of the guidelines include:

New structures should face the same direction as existing structures.

Swing sets and other playground equipment in front yards are strongly discouraged.

Brick should be replaced with brick of similar size, color and texture.

Property owners are asked to get a certificate of appropriateness from the historic preservation commission before starting any projects beyond routine maintenance.

Bob Todd, a historic preservation commission member, said other cities like Fayetteville have created thriving historic districts with similar plans.

"It will attract business to the town if everything is kept nice and neat," he said, adding that tax credits are available for home restorations in historic districts.

Properties outside downtown that have historic significance could be added to the district, but only if the owners want to join to take advantage of tax incentives.

In 1989, an effort to create a historic district in the same area failed, and Todd -- who owns a 1900 house in the district -- said he opposed that initiative. He said the new initiative is less draconian than the 1989 plan and doesn't infringe on property rights.

The proposed district includes Main, Church and surrounding streets from Lee Street to Farmer Street.