Historic District Program
What's New?
Energy Efficiency & Your Historic Home
This free workshop held in January for the residents and property owners in Greensboro's Local Historic Districts was a success with more than 60 participants in attendance. Stay tuned for future special events!
Photo: During the workshop, the City's Jim Teele shows an image taken with a thermal camera to identify temperature changes and detect air leaks.
Historic District Design Guidelines' Listening Meetings
The Greensboro Historic Preservation Commission is reviewing the Historic District Program Manual and Design Guidelines. Three 'listening' meetings were held in November 2010 to gather neighborhood comments. If you were not able to attend a meeting, submit your comments and suggestions online.
Historic District Program
Watch this video about Greensboro's program.
  
In 1980, Greensboro designated its first local historic district, College Hill. Since then, the Fisher Park and Charles B. Aycock neighborhoods have both been designated. Designation is established through the City's Zoning Ordinance and requires that changes to the building exterior and the neighborhood setting be reviewed by the Greensboro Historic Preservation Commission to ensure that the historic character of each district is preserved. The districts are made up of a variety of architectural styles and uses, making these neighborhoods interesting and unique.
What is the Greensboro Historic Preservation Commission?
 The Historic Preservation Commission is responsible for administering the historic district regulations and carrying out other preservation functions for the City of Greensboro. Commission members are appointed by City Council because they have demonstrated special interest or expertise in historic preservation. The Commission reviews applications for Certificates of Appropriateness to ensure that all work within the historic districts, including new construction, exterior repairs and alterations, demolition, and moving buildings are consistent with the Historic District Program Manual and Design Guidelines.
What is a Certificate of Appropriateness?
A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required before you begin work on the outside of your home in any of the historic districts. Application forms may be picked up at the Department of Housing and Community Development or mailed/faxed by calling 373-2349. The application can also be downloaded from  this site. There is no application fee. If you have questions about the application, a staff member will assist you. Complete applications must be received at least two weeks before the commission meeting to be included on the agenda. Some projects can be approved at staff level and typically take about a week to process.
It is important to plan projects well in advance because the review process does require a certain amount of lead time. The application must describe clearly and in detail the work that is being proposed, and it must include appropriate support materials. For routine maintenance and repairs, a verbal description may be sufficient. However, if the work involves a change to the appearance of a building, then a scaled drawing will normally be required.
Not all projects require a COA and some may be approved at staff level. It is always best to contact City staff prior to beginning any exterior work to ensure that a COA is not required.
Steps for Obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)
1. Obtain an application from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
2. Check with staff at 336-373-2349 or e-mail to determine if your project needs to go to the Historic Preservation Commission. If so, check to see when the next Historic Preservation Commission meeting will be.
3. Check Historic District Program Manual and Design Guidelines to find out what documentation is required for your project (elevation drawings, site plan, etc.)
4. Submit application along with the documentation at least two weeks prior to the monthly Historic Preservation Commission meeting if your project requires HPC approval.
5. If your project is placed on the next agenda, attend the Historic Preservation Commission meeting, if possible, to answer questions about your project.
6. Once you receive your COA in the mail, post the green placard in an easily visible location. You may now begin work!
How do I know if my property is in a local historic district?
Historic District Program staff members can tell you if you own property within one of the three locally-zoned historic districts. You may reach them at 336-373-2349. If you have recently purchased property or are planning to purchase property, it is always best to verify with your real estate agent and City staff whether the property is located within a designated district.
Contact:
Mike Cowhig
336-373-2755
E-mail
|