What is the benefit of a Local Historic District designation to the individual property owner?
Owners can be assured that renovations to adjacent properties will be done in a way that fits in with their property as well as the rest of the neighborhood. Over the long term, this can drive higher property values, since historic neighborhoods are finite resources that are highly desirable to an increasing number of people. Also, many of the zoning variances that are required under the current system would be streamlined under a historic district. Many projects that would require months of waiting for approvals are approved administratively in the Atlanta Urban Design Commission (AUDC) office for Local Historic Districts. For example, under the current system if your house is over the existing side setback requirement you have to seek a zoning variance by going through the MNA Land Use Committee, the Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU), and the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA). Under a Local Historic District, you would just have to submit an application to the AUDC, which meets twice a
