The ordinance has been recommended for adoption by the Planning Board, which reviewed its provisions at their October and November meetings, and will be fine-tuned before adoption hearings by the City Commission early in 2008.
Some frequently asked questions about the ordinance
- Who wrote the historic ordinance? Where did it come from?
The ordinance was written by Planning and Development Director Margaret Swanson, following a review of a number of ordinances from various cities around the state and guidelines from the state’s historic preservation office. - What does the ordinance do?
The ordinance primarily does four things:- It designates our downtown area as a historic district, specifically the area between the Scenic Highway and First Street including the Dixie Walesbuilt Hotel and the post office block, and both sides of Park and Stuart Avenues. This area includes twenty-seven buildings identified in a 1988 study as potential National Register properties. The portion of the proposed district east of Market Street was designated a historic commercial district on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
- It requires review of new construction or exterior changes, including signage, to buildings within the district. The purpose of the review is to determine if the proposed work complies with standards for historic renovations based on the Secretary of the Interior’s guidelines. These standards are used nation-wide by local historic boards. Property owners will be issued a “certificate of appropriateness” if the proposed work complies with the requirements and will be allowed to move forward with their plans.
- This review will be the responsibility of a new board, the “historic district regulatory board.” Board appointments are made by the City Commission and must include persons with demonstrated technical expertise in areas related to construction and historic preservation.
- It sets up criteria for evaluating other districts that may be proposed. New districts may be proposed by the City Commission, the Planning Board, or by property owners. If initiated by property owners, a petition with signatures of at least 51% of the owners of property within the proposed district is required.
- Don’t we already have historic districts?
Yes, we have three National Register Historic Districts. The register is recognition of the historic value of a district, but does not regulate changes to buildings within the district. - Don’t we already have a historic preservation committee?
Yes. The existing historic preservation commission will continue with its current charge to carry out educational programs, undertake studies, and make recommendations on general historic preservation matters. - Does the ordinance say anything about the murals downtown?
The ordinance also provides for the regulation of murals, as do many of the ordinances that were reviewed prior to the preparation of this ordinance. Gainesville has one such ordinance. - Is there a charge for the review?
Yes. The ordinance contains a fee schedule. City staff is already working on a revision of the schedule, to require a low or no fee for signs and minor projects. The fee for a major project or new building is proposed at $200 plus $75 advertising fee. - Will downtown property owners receive a letter about the ordinance?
City staff plans to send an informational letter to downtown property owners to let them know about the January 2nd discussion. Legal advertisements will be published prior to formal readings of the ordinance, as required by law.
