The 3 historically-certified areas in University City (St. Mark's Square, Woodland Terrace, and 4600 block of Hazel Ave with adjoining 46th Street houses) are designated by the CITY. Approval for alterations is required by the City Historical Commission. I've already posted about my experience with the commission, as I was putting storm windows on my Hazel Avenue house.
Margie Politzer "Elizabeth F. Campion" wrote: > I think it needs to be clear that there is more than one type of Historic > District. > National Historic Designation provides cache and tourist potential > without restrictions. > I think West Philadelphia already enjoys several areas with this status. > > NOTE: National Designation does not come with limits on personal > property. > > Local Historic Districts are controlled by people, who can be busy bodies > and / or strongly prejudiced against individuals or groups. Local > Historic Districts DO LIMIT your rights to the use of property. > > I am tired of the hypothetical debate and the personal attacks. > > I carefully canvassed Realtors and Residents of the Center City District > and MANY folks claimed they were sorry that the local Historic District > was created. Only one would let me use his name and story. My "window > lady" is truly afraid that submitting her name will lead to costly, > punitive actions and social dismissals. > > So,,, today I did a "Google" search - to discover what is the current > reality in other Local Historic districts. I think our really problem > and expenses will come with Roof, Porch and Carpentry Repairs, but... > PAINT was easier to quantify and research, and has been a hot topic... > so, I researched "Exterior painting in Historic Districts". > > The results was 100's of links to brag sheets,Tourist Sites and > Regulations. > Some were amusing and some were scary. > The different districts seem driven by different motives. > Some seem educational, some seem to be chasing the tourist dollar and > others seem to be personned by people with no sense of humor and massive > intolerance. > > Here are some of my favorite examples with my summaries: > > ------------------------------------------------------------ > Canandaiqua, NY - There local District "ONLY" restricts exterior color > choice, for property owners who want a > "Change" of if the exterior Paint or where the exterior > was "previously unpainted", or if > existing paint "is being stripped". > They also restrict the type and color of the roof and control all new > signage. > > http://www.ci.canandaigua.ny.us/historic.htm > > I couldn't figure out why "ONLY" was in bold and all caps. > > ------------------------------------------------------------ > In Staunton, Virginia - Queene Anne buildings are to be painted > "Green, Rust, Red or Brown". > While Italianates might be > "natural earth or stone colors", and trim may be > a contrasting SHADE of the base color. > > http://www.staunton.va.us/cityhall/histdist/hdres1k.htm#PAINTCOL > > Isn't "Contrast" a strong word for Lighter and Darker shades of the same > earth color? > > ------------------------------------------------------------ > The City of Albany has also imposed Color Restrictions in its Historic > District. > They have a Brochure, so at least the rules can be uniformly applied. > But they require Historic Review for any "Exterior alteration that > changes the physical appearance of the building". > Their general paint guidelines include > MID 1880'S = "SOFT, NEUTRAL TINTS" > LATE 1800'S = "DARKER, RICHER SHADES" > EARLY 1900'S = "LIGHTER, CALMER COLORS" > > http://www.cityofalbany.org/pages/planning/resources/historic_guidelines > > I think you have to hire their consultant to have an actual color > assigned to the appropriate mood (Calm) or financing (Rich). > > ------------------------------------------------------------ > Check out the Application for change in Geneva, Il. > Anyone who wants to repair or improve their property must submit: > 10 copies of the facade elevations (with measurements) > 10 Copies of the site plan (with outlines) > 10 copies of photographs of existing structures > 10 copies of color scheme > 1 copy of building materiels > 10 copies of cut sheets for doors and windows > 10 copies of the narrative describing the changes > 10 copies of color drawings (including measurements) > and have a > A pre-application meeting with HPC and City Officials > than enjoy the application process. > > http://www.geneva.il.us/hp25.htm > > There must be an entire industry and huge expense around any change! > > ------------------------------------------------------------ > Cambridge, Mass has some of my favorite restrictions. > You must choose Historic Colors. And while there is a terrific Web-site > - you have to BUY the color chart for $8.00 if you want to prepare for > your mandatory Color Consultation with one of the Districts 2 "experts". > The Basic charge is $75.00 for the first 1.5 hours. If your consultation > or any follow-up exceeds the recommended 1.5 hours, there is an > additional $75/hour charge > > http://www.ci.cambridge.ma.us/~Historic/paint.html > > Since two of our major proponents are retired History Professors, can we > assume they or their friends are lining up for part time work as our area > "consultants"? > ------------------------------------------------------------ > > The Belle Grove Historic District > > http://www.fsark.com/HistoricDistrict/DearBelleGroveHistoricDistrictPrope > rtyOwner.html > > allows you to perform ordinary maintenance (such as "Repainting the same > color... replacing rotted porch flooring... replacing rusted screening or > surface mounted gutters...") as long as you call the HD Office or the > Planning Commission BEFORE you tackle your project. If not, you will > hear from "Brenda Andrews, Planner II". > > Now does she work 24-7? I like to get my projects out of the way before > it gets hot on summer Saturdays. Do you think I can reach her before 7 > AM on Week-ends? > > ------------------------------------------------------------ > My Conclusions: > > At least one of these districts have been in place since 1975. > > All have rules that seem to require more money and cooperation than is > evident in the huge district Spruce Hill envisions. Many had rules or > guidelines that I found too confusing to even use as examples. > > And, all seem to offer some kind of tax credit or promise of commercial > or tourist income to make it worth the trouble. While no incentives - > beyond some vague pride in imposing our good taste by local committee > upon our neighbors - is offered here. > > SO... why can't we just enjoy are NATIONAL status, and keep the local > "busybodies" off our front porches. > > I am a "high change" person, and I find it funny that I am defending our > Status Quo, but... our property values are already skyrocketing. I am > meeting more interesting new neighbors than ever. I am afraid to stand > by and let people with too much time on their hands try and fix something > that isn't broken. Let them go out and enforce the > EXISTING > Zoning and Building Codes, > Litter and Leash Laws, > Noise Ordinances and > Parking Regulations > before they add another layer of bureaucracy, one which by the way, is > controlled by a "committee" and is vaguely defined and permits $5,000 > liens and fines to be slapped on nonconformists. As a review of the > current (and past) UCHS awards show, conformity has been defined by > popularity and perceived contribution... not actual attention to Historic > Detail. > > Best! > Liz > > Elizabeth Campion > Neighbor & Real Estate Broker > Mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Direct & VM: 215-790-5653 > Cell Phone (emergencies): 215-880-2930 > Mail to : > P.O. Box 23632 / Phila, Pa 19143 > PRUDENTIAL, FOX & ROACH > Reception:215-546-0550, Shared Fax: 215-546-9781 > Office at > 210 W. Rittenhouse Sq., Suite # 406 > Phila, Pa 19103 > > ---- > You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the > list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see > <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
