What is neighborhood character??

Neighborhood character is expressed in at least two distinctive elements: the physical landscape and the social dynamic. Many inner city neighborhoods have the physical building blocks present to be successful, sustainable communities that provide homes for residents throughout their life cycles. Single-family homes come in small, medium and large sizes and price ranges. Duplexes and small apartment buildings are sprinkled in, encouraging today's renters to become tomorrow's home purchasers. Nearby commercial structures offer the potential for locating neighborhood services within walking distance. Other physical elements can enhance the area - street trees and wide sidewalks for shaded walking, varied architecture for an interesting streetscape. Neighborhood character is not solely created through the physical landscape. The people who live in a neighborhood provide the flavor and attitude for that section of the city. The flavor can be ethnic, provided by long-time residents or created simply because a preferred lifestyle is more easily accomplished in that particular physical landscape.

Currently the only tool available for protecting our neighborhood’s unique historic character is local historic district. We welcome any comments and/or suggestions for other methods that you believe are currently available. If they are not currently available let’s talk about the time frame for implementing new suggestions.