What Local Historic District DOES NOT do: · Does not regulate paint colors · Does not require repairs or renovations to be made · Does not increase taxes beyond normal increases for the City or County · Does not prevent additions · Does not prevent non-contributing homes from being demolished · Does not require use of historic materials or historic building methods · Does not require that you open you home to the public · Does not restrict routine maintenance of properties
What Local Historic District DOES do:
· Recognizes that Oakhurst has a distinctive historic character important to the overall character of the City of Decatur
· Encourages creative and compatible development with historic areas
· Requires that a Certificate of Appropriateness be obtained for exterior changes to contributing properties, demolition of buildings, and new construction.
· Applies only to major renovations to the exterior of your home. Interior renovations are not restricted.
Oakhurst Baptist Church is one of the founders of the Town of Oakhurst. At one time Oakhurst Baptist Church was located on the sprawling campus that now houses the AT&T training facility. Oakhurst was the first church in Oakhurst. While the original building burned in the fire that destroyed much of the original town center. Oakhurst Baptist re-built and continued to serve the community. The church gives much to the community and we are very pleased to have them in our neighborhood. The church and their building are one of the anchors of history in our community.
The first photo from the early 1930s and shows the church as it stands now. The second is an ealier photograph, believed to be prior to 1920 that shows a Vacation Bible School class.
5 comments:
Wow, what great photographs! I have always loved the building and agree that the church does a lot for the community. It is a true treasure and I would truly regret losing it.
Did you know that instead of passing an LHD for the neighborhood, you can protect historically significant buildings like the Oakhurst Baptist Church through current city code? The church, and others like it, can be designated as historic structures and protected. This is what was done with the Scottish Rite Hospital Building, the old courthouse, and others.
Something worth considering.
Question. If the new modern addition to the Oakhurst Baptist Church had been built when there was an LHD in place, would that design have been consistent with the standards?
Have you talked to officials at the church? Does it want to be in lhd?
Two questions asked by anonymous. Would the new addition fit under the design guidelines of local historic district? The design guidelines have not been established so we can not answer that question. Remember, we are not the HPC, but taking hints from how they have applied the guidelines in the past we think the new addition would be approved by HPC. It does not detract from the historic building, it is distinguished as new construction, and it fits under the zoning for the City of Decatur.
Question 2: Does the church want to be in the local historic district? We have met with the church and congregation on two occasions. The congregation continues to gather information just like any resident of the City. Some are for the lhd and some are against it. They are concerned about development and parking. I anticipate they will participate in the discussion for commercial and institutional properties when that takes place.
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