HISTORIC PRESERVATION What Durham REALTORS Need to Know Durham Regional Association of REALTORS
Overview Types of Historic Designations Certificates of Appropriateness Demolition by Neglect How to Find Historic Info
Types of Historic Designations National Register of Historic Places Local Historic Districts Local Landmarks
What is the National Register? Official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation (individual sites or entire districts) Part of national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources Administered by the National Park Service through each State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 From: www.nps.gov/nr
NR Benefits and Responsibilities Benefits Recognition Federal tax credits State tax credits No restrictions on the use, treatment, transfer, or disposition of private property Responsibilities Tax credit projects must comply with Secretary of the Interiors Standards
What is a Local Historic District? An area of special significance in terms of its history, prehistory, architecture, and/or culture that possesses integrity of design, setting, materials, feeling, and association
Local Historic District Overlays Act as secondary zoning districts Material fact Local Review Criteria and Secretary of Interior s Standards apply Approvals required for work Demolitions subject to 1 year delay Subject to enforcement
What is a Local Landmark? An individual property of special significance in terms of its historical, prehistorical, architectural, or cultural importance; and that possesses integrity of design, setting, workmanship, materials, feeling, and association
Local Landmark Designation Landmark adopted by Ordinance of Designation Recorded with Register of Deeds Secretary of Interior s Standards apply Approvals required for work Demolitions subject to 1 year delay Subject to enforcement
Local Landmark Tax Deferral Designated properties taxed on 50% of value Deferred taxes act as lien on the property Deferred taxes payable (3 years), with interest, when property loses landmark designation
Certificates of Appropriateness What is a COA? Applicability Scope of Work Process Criteria Demolition
What is a COA? COA - a document approving work on local landmarks or properties in local historic districts based on consistency with applicable review criteria Local review criteria are contained in each historic district s preservation plan Secretary of Interior s Standards apply to all historic districts and landmarks COAs required prior to issuance of building permit COA required even if no other permit is needed
COA Applicability COAs required for exteriors including: Buildings Walls and fences Pavement Lighting Above-ground utilities Signs
Scope of Work Requiring a COA New construction Alterations Restoration Moving a structure Demolition No COA required for routine maintenance (no change in appearance, design, or materials)
COA Process Administrative COAs Approved by staff Minor and Major COAs Approved by HPC Mailed notice required to adjacent property owners Newspaper ad required for Major COAs Applications must be acted upon within 180 days Only HPC can deny COAs HPC decisions can be appealed to the BOA
COA Criteria General design Architectural features Building materials Size and scale Type and style of windows, doors, light fixtures, signs
COAs for Demolition Cannot be denied, unless of statewide significance Can delay COA effective date up to 365 days Delay may be reduced for: Extreme hardship or deprivation of use Properties of no special significance Includes relocation out of HD
Demolition by Neglect What is DBN? Criteria Process Outcomes
What is Demolition by Neglect? Purpose: To prevent demolition of landmarks or structures in HD by neglect of the property Definition: The destruction or gradual deterioration of a building due to abandonment or lack of routine or major maintenance
DBN Criteria Specific findings for determination of neglect Buildings parts that may fall and injure the public Deteriorated or inadequate foundation Defective or deteriorated floor supports, walls, ceiling, roofs, chimneys or vertical or horizontal supports that split, lean, list, buckle, sag, or split Any fault, defect, or condition in the building which renders the same structurally unsafe or not properly watertight
DBN Process Investigation Owner notification Public meeting Determination Administrative (Staff) Appeal HPC
DBN Outcomes Corrective Measures Order of abatement Civil penalty Safeguards from undue economic hardship
How to Find Historic Info Determining Historic Status Local Information Online Tax Credit Information Online
Determining Historic Status To find out if a property has a historic designation: www.durhamnc.gov Use Maps link to find GoMaps Type address without suffix Under Planning/Zoning check local landmark, etc.
Local Information Online General Info/FAQs HPC Schedule Scope of Work COA Classifications COA Applications (with checklists) Preservation Plans (with local review criteria) http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/planning/historic_preservation.cfm
Tax Credit Information Online NC State Historic Preservation Office http://www.hpo.ncdcr.gov
Questions? Lisa J. Miller Senior Planner/Urban Designer Durham City/County Planning Department lisa.miller@durhamnc.gov Sara M. Young, AICP Urban Design Supervisor Durham City/County Planning Department sara.young@durhamnc.gov