HomeMy Public PortalAboutConservation_DistrictConservation District
Designation in Richmond
Richmond’s historic preservation ordinance only requires the review of demolition and new construction in a
Conservation District. T he following briefly outlines what a Conservation District would and would not do. In order
to protect property values, insure neighborhood stability and protect historic resources in Richmond’s
historic areas, the Historic Preservation Commission invites the community to investigate the option of designating
their neighborhood as a local conservation district.
Conservation d esignation will….
• Protect important architectural and historic
structures.
• Create preservation guidelines based on the
historic character of the designated area for new
construction.
• Review demolition.
• Offer the public an educational resource for
information on rehabilitating historic buildings.
• Offer a positive planning tool to allow historic
architectural resources to be a part of long-range
plans for the community.
• Improve the quality of life for designated
neighborhoods and increase property values.
Conservation d esignation will not…
• Require property owners to make repairs to their
buildings.
• Require property owners to “undo” past changes.
• Affect interior work or ordinary maintenance and
repair.
• C reate funds for preserving historic properties,
a lthough property owners may take advantage of
the Indiana State Tax Credit.
• Automatically increase property taxes.
• Be as limiting as most new subdivision deed
restrictions (which are also concerned with
protection of investments and aesthetics).
Conservation District designation cannot be changed to Local Historic District until after three year waiting period and then only with
City Council approval. .Conservation District designation will not prevent a ny demolition, but will require a review of demolition
requests in hopes of preventing the loss of valuable historic resources.
Local Historic District
Designation in Richmond
Richmond’s historic preservation ordinance requires properties to be designated as a Conservation District for three
years before they may be considered for designation as a Local Historic District. .
L ocal Historic District d esignation
will….
• Protect unique architectural and historic structures.
• Create preservation guidelines based on the
historic character of the designated area for
exterior changes to a structure.
• Require Certificate of Appropriateness from the
Richmond Historic Preservation Commission for
exterior changes.
• Offer the public an educational resource for
information on rehabilitating historic buildings.
• Offer a positive planning tool to allow historic
architectural resources to be a part of long-range
plans for the community.
• Improve the quality of life for designated
neighborhoods and increase property values.
Local Historic District d esignation
will not….
• Require property owners to make repairs to their
buildings.
• Require property owners to “undo” past changes.
• Prevent maintenance of existing buildings.
• Regulate colors.
• Affect interior work or ordinary maintenance and
repair; guidelines will only address what is seen
from the street.
• Create funds for preserving historic properties,
• Automatically increase property taxes.
• Be as limiting as most new subdivision deed
restrictions (which are also concerned with
protection investments and aesthetics).
Historic districts are as restrictive or as lenient as the local community wishes. Local Historic District designation will not prevent any
exterior improvements but will require the monitoring of exterior work in hopes of preventing the loss of valuable historic character in the
neighborhood