What is the difference between the National Register Historic District and the local HP Overlay?
The U.S. Department of the Interior awards the National Register Historic District designation. Although this status is very prestigious, it comes with no special protections unless federal funding is involved in a proposed project. The local historic district (HP overlay) is a special zoning overlay outlined in the local zoning ordinance. Once the HP district was established, the Historic Zoning Commission was created to review projects within the overlay. The commission is a city board made up of preservation specialists, historians, architects and ordinary citizens. The HZC reviews exterior changes in material or design that require a building permit, including demolition, additions, exterior rehabilitation and relocation. Before beginning any work requiring review, the applicant must apply for and receive a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the HZC. The commission will assess the proposed change for compliance with the Historic District Design Guidelines and the Secretary o
