Comparative Property Values Analysis

There is a study performed by Timothy McLendon & JoAnn Klein for the Center for Governmental Responsibility at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. The study is Comparative Property Values Analysis Use of GIS Mapping to Review Property Appraisal Data. Here is a link to the study: http://www.law.ufl.edu/cgr/pdf/Tech-Chapter7.PDF

Here is the conclusion of the study:

This initial comparative study reviews the effects of historic preservation on specific neighborhoods in the selected cities, which form a fair sample of large and medium-sized communities in the Florida peninsula. This review of assessed values was broad, examining more than 28,000 parcels of residential property. To this extent, the findings of this study do reflect the relative success of historic preservation in the selected communities.


One important conclusion is clear: in no case reviewed here do historic preservation programs so “burden” property as to decrease property values. Indeed, in the vast majority of cases, designated residential properties performed as well as or better than comparable undesignated properties. This was especially the case for single family residential property, but also true for small-scale multi- family residential property (see tables in Appendix B). This study shows that
local neighborhood historic preservation efforts may justly be considered as “value-added.” Such a conclusion is especially significant given the legal implications of government land use regulations, which are often alleged to “burden” the use of real property or impose some “inordinate economic burden” on the landowner. 19 If local governments are able to demonstrate that any incidental “burdens” associated with the protection of historic resources are
accompanied by an accompanying “benefit” in the form of increased property values, this may form a valuable insulation both against Fifth Amendment Takings challenges and against challenges brought under Florida’s Private Property Rights Protection Act.20