Historic Preservation Review

A regulatory review process that evaluates the potential impact of proposed construction or demolition on historically significant buildings, sites, or districts to ensure compliance with preservation laws and standards.

What is Historic Preservation Review?

Historic preservation review is a regulatory process that evaluates the potential impact of proposed construction, demolition, or alteration on historically significant properties. The review ensures that development projects do not inappropriately alter or destroy buildings, structures, sites, or districts that have been identified as having historical, architectural, or cultural significance.

Triggers for Review

Historic preservation review is triggered when a project involves: properties listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, properties designated as local landmarks, properties located within a designated historic district, or projects involving federal funding or permits (triggering Section 106 review under the National Historic Preservation Act). Many cities also require review for demolition of any building above a certain age.

Review Standards

Review is typically conducted against the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, which provide guidelines for preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction. For projects in historic districts, reviews evaluate whether proposed new construction is compatible with the historic character of the district in terms of scale, massing, materials, and design.

Impact on Development

Historic preservation requirements can significantly affect development projects by restricting demolition, requiring retention of historic facades or interiors, imposing design constraints on new construction, and adding review time to the entitlement process. However, historic designation can also provide benefits such as tax credits (federal and state), zoning flexibility, and marketing advantages.