Conservation & Historic Districts

Presented by Development Services

What is a Conservation District?

A Conservation District (CD) is a zoning tool used to designate an area(s) within a neighborhood with a distinct physical character. 

While similar to historic districts in that they are both forms of preservation, CDs are intended to provide a means of conserving an area's distinctive character by protecting or enhancing its physical attributes.

2

Paths to Preservation: Conservation Districts

Designation Requirements

• Minimum one block length
• At least 50% of lots contain structures
• Possess two or more of the following distinctive features that create a cohesive identifiable setting, character or association
1. Scale, size or type of construction;
2. Lot layouts, setbacks, street layouts, alleys or sidewalks;
3. Special natural or streetscape characteristics, such as creek beds, parks, greenbelts, gardens or street landscaping; or
4. Abuts or links designated historic landmarks and/or districts

Paths to Preservation: Conservation Districts

Protections

• Design Standards for New Construction and relocation or rehabilitation to the street facade of an existing building
• Does NOT include ordinary maintenance and repair
• Design Standards shall include:
1. Building height, number of stories (may not restrict to less than two stories over the entire footprint of the original structure);
2. Lot coverage;
3. Lot size;
4. Front and side yard setbacks; and
5. Driveways, hardscape covering.

Conservation Districts help promote compatible new construction,

unlike in this neighborhood.

Paths to Preservation: Conservation Districts

Path to Designation

1. Application by petition signed by the owners (50% or more)
2. Public Hearing at Zoning Commission
3. Public Hearing at City Council
4. Recording of Designation on zoning map
5. Filing of designation and guidelines in property records

​

Total Time: 6 months-1 year

What is a Historic District?

6

Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance

Chapter 4, District Regulations

Historic Districts try to preserve historic integrity and materials from a particular time.

​

An area that possesses a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united historically or aesthetically by plan or physical development if it meets three or more of the criteria listed. In addition districts must meet the criteria for significance and integrity applied to evaluate districts listed on the National Register.

​

Paths to Preservation: Historic and Cultural Districts

Significance Criteria is listed in the Historic Preservation ordinance, but in general it is what makes an area important, this could be:

​

• Distinctive in character, interest, value or an architectural type
• Important architecturally
• Associated with important persons or events,
• Has a significant relationship to other distinctive buildings or areas,
• Has archaeological value, or
• Is listed on the National Register of Historic Places or is a state-designated site

​

Paths to Preservation: Historic and Cultural Districts

Integrity is…

A property's ability to convey its significance, taking into consideration the following seven factors: location, design, setting, material, workmanship, feeling, and association, as set forth in National Register of Historic Places' Seven Aspects of Integrity.

Paths to Preservation: Historic and Cultural Districts

Path to Designation

1. Application which includes:
1. Wind shield survey of area
2. Draft Standards and Guidelines
3. List of contributing and non-contributing properties
4. Signatures of 50%+ of the owners who support the designation
2. Notice of Nomination which triggers:
1. Mailed notices to property owners
2. Interim Controls in place
4. Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission Hearing
5. Zoning Commission Hearing
6. City Council Hearing
7. Recording of designations on zoning map
8. Filing of designations in property records

​

Total Time: 6 months-1 Year +

What are the differences?

10

What is a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) and why is it important?

11

• A COA approves a specific scope-of-work that has been reviewed for compliance with historic or design district standards and guidelines.�
• If work is undertaken outside of the approved scope in the COA, the project is in violation of local, state, and federal law.

What happens if someone doesn’t follow historic/design guidelines?

Example:

• Site features play an important role in the way a project is visually experienced from the public right-of-way. 
• A single-car driveway was approved on the site plan. However the driveway that was built was twice the width of the approved plans and covered much of the front yard.

12

Approved site plan

What was built

Corrective work

Historic Site Tax Exemption

The Tax Exemption freezes the assessed valuations of the land and improvements at the pre-renovation values for the purpose of assessing city taxes. The exemption period is ten (10) years.

Historic Site Tax Exemption

Requirements:

1. Individually Designated HC or contributing structure within a district
2. Partial approval with approved COA and 20% of improvement value investment
3. Verification from staff, HCLC and City Council
4. File with the County every year

​

Thank you