Myth 1:

If my house is designated as a local historic property or is in a local historic district I won’t be able to make any changes to it.
Historic designation is designed to manage change, not prevent it. Any physical alterations to the exterior of a structure, construction of a new structure or demolition of an existing structure that is visible from a public way needs to be approved by the HDC. The most significant, or “character defining”, historic elements of a property should be retained and new additions to the historic property are allowed, but should be compatible with the site’s historic architecture. Typical work which requires review would be replacement of windows or doors, siding, the erection of additions, decks, garages, fences or outbuildings. Work that generally does not require review is ordinary maintenance, repair and replacement in kind.

Myth 2:

If my house is designated as a local historic property or is in a local historic district I can’t change my mailbox.
The HDC does not regulate mailboxes.

Myth 3:

If my house is designated as a local historic property or is in a local historic district I can’t make changes to my landscaping.
The HDC does not regulate landscaping.

Myth 4:

If my house is designated as a local historic property or is in a local historic district I can’t make changes to the interior.
The HDC does not regulate any interior alterations.

Myth 5:

Building’s with historic plaques are protected from demolition.

The presence of a historic plaque on a building does not mean that the building is designated as a local historic property or a local historic district, therefore, the presence of a plaque does not protect a building from demolition.

Myth 6:

The HDC can stop any building from being demolished.
The HDC can impose a 180 day demolition delay period for any building that is 50 years or older. The only time the HDC can prevent demolition is if a property is designated as a local historic property or a local historic district.

Myth 7:

If something is hidden behind a fence or landscaping the HDC does not have purview over it.
Any physical alterations to the exterior of a structure, construction of a new structure or demolition of an existing structure that is visible from a public way despite the presence of a landscaping or fencing to be approved by the HDC.

Myth 8:

Historic Designation will reduce my property value.
Historic district designation gives potential homebuyers two rare and economically valuable assurances: that qualities that attracted them to their neighborhood will actually endure over time, and that they can safely reinvest in sensitive improvements to their home without fear that a neighbor will undermine this investment with inappropriate new development.

Myth 9:

Preserving a historic property is more expensive than new construction.
Historic preservation can be more cost effective than new construction. Historic buildings often require upgrades but these are usually less expensive than the costs of demolition and the subsequent building of new foundations, structural systems, roofs and building finishes.

Myth 10:

Old buildings are not compliant with modern building codes and are unsafe.
The determining factor in the safety of a building is the quality of construction, not age. While older structures will sometimes require safety upgrades they often perform better in under catastrophic conditions than newer structures.

Myth 11:

Local historic property and/or local historic district designation is a violation of individual property rights.
The statement, “my home is my castle and I can do whatever I want,” does not reflect reality. The HDC’s design review process does not infringe on property rights any more than standard zoning regulations or restrictive covenants in place for many properties and that have been accepted by even the most vocal property rights advocates