Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 1 San Antonio City Council B Session August 5, 2009 Briefing on the Strategic Historic Preservation Plan [T.C. Broadnax, Assistant City Manager; Shanon Peterson Wasielewski, Historic Preservation Officer, Office of Historic Preservation]

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 2 Strategic Historic Preservation Plan Need and Purpose  Provide comprehensive plan to identify concrete strategies with short, mid, and long term implementation steps to improve preservation programs over the next 5 to 15 years  Critical in guiding City’s preservation efforts to capitalize on the unique assets of the past that enhance economic development, tourist appeal, and quality of life  Consistent with two major goals: –Preserve and protect the historic districts, buildings, structures, landscapes, archaeology, culture, and stories of San Antonio. –Strengthen the City of San Antonio’s reputation as a special place of American history, architecture, and culture. Strategic Historic Preservation Plan

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 3 Strategic Historic Preservation Plan San Antonio Preservation History  One of the oldest historic preservation offices in the nation  City of San Antonio approved first preservation ordinance for the restoration of La Villita  Second preservation ordinance approved for the creation of historic districts and a historic board of review  King William (first National Register district in TX) becomes the city’s first historic district  Today the City of San Antonio has 24 local historic districts; 6 River Improvement Overlay (RIO) Districts; over 2000 individual local landmarks; and more than 1900 recorded archaeological sites

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 4  July Office of Historic Preservation issued Request for Proposals (RFP) for a preservation consultant  September Four proposals submitted and evaluated in conformance with criteria contained in the RFP  November 2008 – Interviews of all four preservation consultants conducted  December Lakota Group approved to provide consulting services for the creation of a Strategic Historic Preservation Plan for the City of San Antonio (Contract amount: $65,096) Strategic Historic Preservation Plan Preservation Plan Process

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 5 Strategic Historic Preservation Plan Planning Process  The Lakota Group made five (5) visits between February and July  Each visit consisted of a series of meetings with various City departments, the community, the steering committee, and related stakeholders.  The plan was developed with input from a broad range of partners, including business and development interests.  The 31-member Preservation Plan Steering Committee provided valuable input into the process; HDRC briefing and support.

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 6 Strategic Historic Preservation Plan Steering Committee  American Institute of Architects (AIA)  Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce  American Planning Association (APA)  Bexar County Historical Commission  Central Texas-Balcones Chapter of US Green Building Council  Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association  Downtown Alliance  Government Hill Alliance  Greater San Antonio Builders Association  Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce  Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC)  King William Association  Lavaca Neighborhood Association  Los Compadres de San Antonio Missions National Historical Park  Monte Vista Historical Association  Monticello Park  Olmos Park Terrace  Paseo Del Rio  Planning Commission  Professional Engineers in Private Practice  Real Estate Council  River Commission  San Antonio Conservation Society  San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce  Southern Texas Archaeological Association  Tobin Hill Community Association  Urban Land Institute (ULI )  VIA Metropolitan Transit  Westside Development Corporation  Zoning Commission

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 7 The Lakota Group, Inc. Nick Kalogeresis Scott Freres John LaMotte Urban Development Services Scott Day UDSUDS

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 8 Why a Strategic Plan?  Plan for the preservation of important historical, architectural, cultural, and archaeological resources  Assess and strengthen municipal historic preservation program  Encourage historic preservation-based economic development  Maintain and enhance neighborhood identity and character  Maintain and enhance San Antonio’s strategic advantage  Promote a city-wide historic preservation ethic UDSUDS

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 9 Historic Preservation Plan  Historic Context  State of the City  Assessment of Current Historic Preservation Program  Key Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities  Current and Potential Partners  Historic Preservation Planning Strategies  Planning  Zoning  Historic Resources  Economic Development  Incentives  Education and Advocacy  Implementation Actions  Partners UDSUDS

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 10 Planning Process  State of the City (February – April, 2009)  Assessment Phase  Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities  Community Workshop #1  Visioning Phase (April – June, 2009)  Preliminary Strategies  Community Workshop #2  Plan-Making Phase(June – August, 2009)  Preliminary Plan  Community Workshop #3  Final Plan UDSUDS

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 11 Issues, Challenges, & Opportunities  “Our historic resources are limited…when gone…it’s gone”  Endangered resources and erosion of historic districts  “We need a collective vision about preservation” and “a predictable development process”  Integrating preservation within planning processes  Assess need for design guidelines  Making the historic preservation code less complex  “Economic development needs to be in harmony with preservation planning”  Undertaking historic-preservation based economic development initiatives UDSUDS

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 12 Issues, Challenges, & Opportunities  “Need to make historic preservation more desirable”  Need for additional incentives and leveraging existing ones  Eliminate disincentives  “Historic preservation is a way to manage change with respect for our common heritage.  Promoting an understanding of historic preservation’s benefits  Promoting a deeper appreciation of historical, architectural, cultural, and archaeological resources UDSUDS

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 13 S T R A T E G I E S & R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 14 Historic Preservation Plan Historic Preservation Planning Strategies  Planning  Zoning  Historic Resources  Economic Development  Incentives  Education and Advocacy UDSUDS

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 15 City Planning Strategies Strategy #1 - Create one set of goals and objectives that become the City’s official vision and policies for historic preservation Strategy #2 - Incorporate historic preservation elements in all citywide, district, and neighborhood planning initiatives Strategy #3 - Promote preservation as a “green” and sustainable planning and development approach Strategy #4 - Plan for the future of key historic areas of the City UDSUDS

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 16 City Zoning Strategies Strategy #1 - Revise and consolidate related regulations within the UDC to enhance the effectiveness of the OHP and HDRC Strategy #2 - Consolidate and create design guidelines to facilitate OHP and HDRC reviews of public and private development initiatives Strategy #3 - Ensure zoning in neighborhoods and commercial districts promotes the preservation and reuse of historic resources Strategy #4 - Consider form-based zoning within historic districts UDSUDS

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 17 Historic Resource Strategies Strategy #1 - Update existing surveys and conduct new inventories throughout the City Strategy #2 - Use the new information to designate additional districts and target public and private resources Strategy #3 - Use the new information to create an “early warning” system to increase awareness and action regarding endangered resources Strategy #4 - Make surveys more accessible to the public to promote a greater understanding of significant historic resources UDSUDS

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 18 Economic Development Strategies Strategy #1 - Increase public awareness that historic preservation contributes to the City’s economic development Strategy #2 - Consider preservation actions as integral components of existing and potential business district and neighborhood revitalization programs Strategy #3 - Create new preservation initiatives that facilitate reuse of historic resources, revitalization of neighborhoods and commercial districts, and creation of new jobs and small businesses UDSUDS

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 19 Incentives Strategies Strategy #1 - Enhance the effectiveness of existing historic preservation incentives and create additional programs that encourage reinvestment in historic resources Strategy #2 - Streamline and expand promotion of preservation programs and incentives to property owners, builders, developers, and investors Strategy #3 - Determine and remove disincentives and obstacles to preserving and reusing historic resources UDSUDS

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 20 Education & Advocacy Strategy # 1 - Undertake a comprehensive outreach effort to increase awareness of San Antonio’s architectural, cultural, and archaeological resources, and the benefits of historic preservation Strategy #2 - Harness public and private resources to market the numerous incentives and programs available to property owners, builders, and developers UDSUDS

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 21 UDSUDS Priorities for Implementation  City Planning and Zoning Priorities  Integrate preservation elements in planning activities  Identify and protect key historic areas  Historic Resource Priorities  Implement early warning system  Refine enforcement strategies  Determine “game plan” for survey work  Economic Development and Incentives  Eliminate disincentives and assess existing ones  Implement preservation-based economic development initiatives  Education and Advocacy  Update/revise outreach and educational materials

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 22 Strategic Historic Preservation Plan  Encourages good development and supports preservation through consistent application of new tools such as expanded design guidelines and creative incentives for reinvestment in the urban core  Includes specific strategies for enhanced collaboration among departments on issues impacting preservation, economic development and sustainability In Summary

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 23 Strategic Historic Preservation Plan  Provides concrete recommendations and strategies to enhance overall historic preservation efforts in the community  Promotes historic preservation as a necessary component of the City’s strategies for economic development, planning, cultural tourism, and sustainability In Summary

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 24 Next Steps HDRC, August 19, 2009 City Council, August 20, 2009

Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 25 Questions?