Historic districts across the country have been extensively studied to better understand how they affect neighborhoods. Overwhelmingly, historic districts maintain or improve surrounding property values, are more walkable than non-designated areas and bolster a city’s appeal to visitors and potential residents, just to name a few benefits. Need more reasons? Here are 24 of them.
Local Historic District Designation provides additional oversight of proposed demolitions and new construction, including public hearings for all applications, while establishing guidelines for significant exterior alterations. Designation also discourages the demolition of historic resources that are part of a city’s cultural heritage.
When it comes to local historic districts, make sure you’re getting your information from a trusted source.
Local designation does not disallow new development, prevent you from selling or redeveloping your property, or dictate what you are able to do with the interior of your property. Designation does not dictate what color you paint your property or how you choose to use it.
Properties in local historic districts can also receive property tax deductions, and apply for grants, while individually listed local landmarks can sell their development rights. Questions? See our FAQ list here.
Residents of Mirror Lake have asked Preserve the ‘Burg for assistance in designating the area surrounding the lakefront as a Local Historic District. Like Beach Drive, we believe this boundary – about 200 feet from the lakefront – will preserve the historic properties around the lake, preserve the pedestrian friendly, low-rise character of the neighborhood, and allow for more intense development beyond this boundary.
A majority of property owners have voted to move this proposal forward. A public hearing is scheduled at the Community Planning and Preservation Commission on Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. You can find details here.
First, you might know that Mirror Lake is already part of the Downtown National Historic Register District. You might also know that Mirror Lake is home to a collection of locally designated landmarks, including the Mirror Lake Library, the Shuffleboard Club, the Lawn Bowling Club and the Mirror Lake Condos. Slightly farther from the lake, City Hall is a local landmark, as is the Coliseum.
Initially developed as an orange grove by some of the city’s earliest white settlers, it later became one of the first residential areas in downtown, designed by boom-era developer Perry Snell and celebrated by renowned urban planner John Nolen as a respite from the bustle and commotion of downtown life. Later, Mirror Lake’s tourist apartments, shuffleboard complex, first high-school, and city hall cemented its identity as one of the city's most historic neighborhoods. Read More Here.
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Many property owners in Mirror Lake support this effort. We want to hear from you!
