Editor,
As has been explained many times over, the National Register for Historic Places is strictly honorary and carries little weight. There are more than 80,000 listings, managed by the National Parks Service, focusing on structures more than 50 years old. Neither of these designations affects what an owner may do with his private property. Any perceived problem comes at the state level that decides whether a designated historic district is eligible for federal tax credits, incentives or outright grants.
An HDC within a community offers protection to historic buildings in that they review regulations per ordinances established both by the Department of the Interior and specific to the local community. In most local historic districts, permission is needed before making any exterior alteration to a structure or before demolishing it.
Any change must be consistent to the original character of a building or neighborhood. This precludes most modern features, such as vinyl windows or siding and, in some instances, solar panels. An HDC makes it unlikely a developer will come in and demolish a neighbor’s house and replace it with a several story apartment building, a parking garage, or a retail establishment.
A historic district offers neighborhood stability, encourages heritage tourism and, among many other features, provides an accurate record for generations to come. It should be noted that approximately 98 percent of all work applications presented are approved by the HDC or the City Preservation Officer. Without an HDC, there is no oversight, and a city loses not only its charm and authenticity, but becomes ineligible for grants and important tax credits.
Anyone who doesn’t agree or wish to comply with any restrictive guidelines should not buy within a designated Historic District. It is his responsibility to educate himself to know what living there entails. I happen to love my single pane, 19th-century wavy glass windows and transom doors. I don’t mind they leak cold air and sometime don’t close. Others would. Don’t buy there. I like dry stack stone walls. Others don’t. Don’t buy there. A historic district has some of the same caveats that any strict land use regulations or any gated development has.
Marty Cogan