ARCH 5325 Conservation Policies Chapter 6 Historic Districts and Ordinances

Historic Districts First historic district—1931 First historic district—1931 Charleston, South CarolinaCharleston, South Carolina Second historic district—1936 Second historic district—1936 Vieux Carré (French Quarter), New OrleansVieux Carré (French Quarter), New Orleans Both had limited powers, not enforceable and based solely on codes Both had limited powers, not enforceable and based solely on codes 1966 national Historic Preservation Act gave local governments power to create regulatory historic districts 1966 national Historic Preservation Act gave local governments power to create regulatory historic districts

Historic Districts Both districts in Charleston and the Vieux Carré were done to protect historic areas (architecture) of the cities Both districts in Charleston and the Vieux Carré were done to protect historic areas (architecture) of the cities Reasons to establish a historic district are: Reasons to establish a historic district are: To protect historic propertiesTo protect historic properties To control new developmentTo control new development As an incentive for redevelopmentAs an incentive for redevelopment To stablize and/or increase property valuesTo stablize and/or increase property valuesand To foster public relations and promotionTo foster public relations and promotion

Historic Districts Examples of districts created for the protection of historic properties: Examples of districts created for the protection of historic properties: Savannah, Georgia –1973Savannah, Georgia –1973 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio –1977Alamo Plaza, San Antonio –1977 German Village, Ohio –1960sGerman Village, Ohio –1960s Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia –1989Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia –1989 JA Ranch, Palo Duro Canyon, TexasJA Ranch, Palo Duro Canyon, Texas La Villita, San AntonioLa Villita, San Antonio Strand Historic District, Galveston, TexasStrand Historic District, Galveston, Texas

Historic Districts Examples of districts created to control new development: Examples of districts created to control new development: Pioneer Square, Seattle, Washington – 1970Pioneer Square, Seattle, Washington – 1970 Depot District, LubbockDepot District, Lubbock Broadway (Ave. Q to University), LubbockBroadway (Ave. Q to University), Lubbock

Historic Districts Examples of districts created as redevelopment incentives: Examples of districts created as redevelopment incentives: Station Square, PittsburghStation Square, Pittsburgh Downtown Lubbock, Broadway, 13 th, and MainDowntown Lubbock, Broadway, 13 th, and Main West End Historic District, DallasWest End Historic District, Dallas Sixth Street, AustinSixth Street, Austin

Historic Districts Examples of districts created for stabilization or increase in property values: Examples of districts created for stabilization or increase in property values: LODO, Lower Downtown, DenverLODO, Lower Downtown, Denver Also Downtown Lubbock—Broadway, 13 th, and MainAlso Downtown Lubbock—Broadway, 13 th, and Main

Historic Districts Examples of districts created for Public Relations and Promotion: Examples of districts created for Public Relations and Promotion: Lowell, MassachusettsLowell, Massachusetts Georgetown, TexasGeorgetown, Texas Fredericksburg, TexasFredericksburg, Texas Comfort, TexasComfort, Texas

Musings on Static History “History is not static” “History is not static” Concept of preserving only one place in time not always authentic Concept of preserving only one place in time not always authentic Many communities change over time and should provide evidence of those changes—such as Seton Hill, Baltimore Many communities change over time and should provide evidence of those changes—such as Seton Hill, Baltimore Others are frozen: Others are frozen: Georgetown, Washington, DCGeorgetown, Washington, DC Jefferson, TexasJefferson, Texas

Setting up a Historic District Commission HD Commissions: HD Commissions: Safeguard the heritage of a community—built historic environmentSafeguard the heritage of a community—built historic environment Stabilize and improve property valuesStabilize and improve property values Foster civic beauty (and pride)Foster civic beauty (and pride) Strengthen the economy (Georgetown and Fredericksburg—heritage tourism)Strengthen the economy (Georgetown and Fredericksburg—heritage tourism) Promote their use for education, pleasure, and welfarePromote their use for education, pleasure, and welfare

Setting up a Historic District Commission State enabling legislation (Based on the National Register of Historic Places and the 1996 Historic Preservation Act) State enabling legislation (Based on the National Register of Historic Places and the 1996 Historic Preservation Act) Antiquities Code of Texas Antiquities Code of Texas Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 318, Historic Preservation by Counties—254 counties Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 318, Historic Preservation by Counties—254 counties Certified Local Government Regulation, Texas Administrative Code, Title 13, Part 2, Chapter 15 Certified Local Government Regulation, Texas Administrative Code, Title 13, Part 2, Chapter 15 Texas Government Code, Chapter 442— protection of RTHL and county courthouses Texas Government Code, Chapter 442— protection of RTHL and county courthouses

State legislation provides for:State legislation provides for: Establishment of local historic districts Establishment of local historic districts A method for identifying historic resources (survey information) A method for identifying historic resources (survey information) Acquisition of resources for HP purposes (grants) Acquisition of resources for HP purposes (grants) Preservation of historic and nonhistoric resources Preservation of historic and nonhistoric resources Establishment of local historic district commissions—have the only real power Establishment of local historic district commissions—have the only real power Maintenance of publicly owned resources Maintenance of publicly owned resources Assessment Assessment Procedures Procedures Remedies and Penalties Remedies and Penalties

Historic District Boundaries Must be logical Must be logical Must be unified in some way— architectural, spatial, use, era—group has more importance than individual structures Must be unified in some way— architectural, spatial, use, era—group has more importance than individual structures Can be contiguous or noncontiguous if have a common theme—mills Can be contiguous or noncontiguous if have a common theme—mills Should have a higher proportion of contributing to non-contributing structures Should have a higher proportion of contributing to non-contributing structures Should retain a sense of place Should retain a sense of place

Historic District Boundaries Boundaries may be defined by: Boundaries may be defined by: Natural features and edges—hills, riversNatural features and edges—hills, rivers Early settlement patterns—age of construction, later sub-divisionsEarly settlement patterns—age of construction, later sub-divisions Major streetsMajor streets Economic differentiationEconomic differentiation Many more reasonsMany more reasons

Ordinances Must promote public welfare Must promote public welfare Must be rational Must be rational Must be fair Must be fair Cannot conflict with other ordinances— zoning or building codes—but can override them Cannot conflict with other ordinances— zoning or building codes—but can override them

Ordinances Must get citizen buy-in through: Must get citizen buy-in through: Publicity and providing information regarding the ordinance purpose, content, reasons, and potential benefitsPublicity and providing information regarding the ordinance purpose, content, reasons, and potential benefits Provide for incentives for complianceProvide for incentives for compliance Listen and be open to comments for alterationListen and be open to comments for alteration

Design Review Boards This is the panel of citizens who review buildings to ensure compliance with Design Guidelines and Historic Zoning Ordinances This is the panel of citizens who review buildings to ensure compliance with Design Guidelines and Historic Zoning Ordinances Lubbock: Urban Design and Historic Preservation Commission Lubbock: Urban Design and Historic Preservation Commission

Design Review Boards Also provide for surveys of properties Also provide for surveys of properties Publish books for educational purposes Publish books for educational purposes Are the recipient of grants (CLG) Are the recipient of grants (CLG) Establish standards Establish standards Write and approve historic zoning ordinances and design guidelines Write and approve historic zoning ordinances and design guidelines