A public hearing held in Sumner City Hall Thursday addressed the possible addition of a heigh exception in the Central Business District of Sumner’s historic downtown.

“You want to allow a building to change and adapt to economies and remain a funcioning part of your downtown,” said Ryan Windish, planning manager.

The height exception allows for certified historic sites to increase their height from 35 to 45 feet, Windish said.

Some of these buildings are historic and need to be update, he said.

Buildings affected are in a block of main street which is part of the preservation efforts.