Ft. Wayne local historic district comments

Benefits of Local Historic Districts
Category : Local Historic District (LHD)
Published by Admin on 2007/4/5
Benefits of Local Historic Districts

The major benefit to local historic district designation is that property owners are assured that their investment in their property will be not be harmed by inappropriate alterations or construction on adjacent properties. Once a property has received local historic district designation, elements of the property that are subject to public view become protected from inappropriate changes by a design review process. Property owners are required to apply for, and obtain, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before a building permit can be issued, or exterior work begun, on any exterior changes. This review process adds protection and stability to both individual properties and historic districts. The process and its benefits are similar to deed restrictions that are placed on lots in modern housing developments. In both cases, the goal is to guide development in order to protect individual investment and the common good.

Two common misperceptions of those who are unfamiliar with local historic district designation are that it will restrict their right to alter properties they own and that it will decrease the value of their property.

· Fort Wayne's historic preservation guidelines allow a great amount of flexibility in planning common building improvement projects. Over 90 percent of the applications for COAs are approved by the Fort Wayne Historic Preservation Review Commission (HPC), the majority of which obtain quick approval by HPRB staff. While a property owner may be required to get approval of proposed changes by reviewing plans with the HPRB and its staff, many owners find the process helpful because free advice is available from objective professionals.

Property values are not adversely affected by local historic district designation. Property values tend to rise with local historic district designation, equaling if not outpacing similar, undesignated areas. Values in local historic districts often exceed the rate of value increase for the city as a whole, thereby offering a secure location for investment.