Comments on: Federal vs. Local: Misconceptions about Historic Districts

By: Historic House Blog » Realtors in Mobile, Alabama (Oddly) Resist Disclosure Requirement for Historic District Sellers

Wed, 18 May 2011 19:06:42 +0000

[...] want to know that it was located in a designated historic district? Especially if that district contained rules governing future alterations of your historic home? Of course you would. And the City Council [...]

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:56:02 +0000

Yes, agreed. The details of many local districts come down to the “whims” of the particular members on a local commission/board. However, I have also come across local districts that have fairly specific guidelines for their construction requirements — which is great, because everyone knows the ground rules. The best thing to do is to contact your local commission to ask for the written regulations & guidelines . . . if they exist . . . and, second, try to involve the officials as soon as possible, so as to make them feel a part of the process & to stroke their egos a bit. There is a lot of credence to the old saying, “You catch more flies with honey!”

By: T.C.

T.C. — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 22:56:21 +0000

I like your quick summary but here’s the problem with this part:

“Local designation= often extensive rules & regulations that should be reserached & understood”

It’s almost impossible for the local rules to be researched because the procedures are defined but the prevailing tastes of the persons on the historical review committee are not set in stone. In my town, we had to submit plans for review without knowing most of the “rules” regarding local historic preservation. And the construction permits would not be issued until the historic review committee approved the plans.

We did hire a local architect who had experience in our town. It was a great decision. But even so, we were encumbered with questions like “where are the gutters” etc,,, because they have this need to pick things apart.

I agree, beware of the locals!

By: Historic House Blog » Plaques, Plaques…Get your Plaques.

Historic House Blog » Plaques, Plaques…Get your Plaques. — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:00:53 +0000

[...] week, we posted a discussion on the differences between the different kinds of historic districts, and about some of the benefits of owning a property in a historic district. Having a property [...]