Abilene High - Status of historic designations

The Lincoln campus currently has no historic protection.There are three types of designations, Here is a short description of the possible historic designations:

1.
National Register of Historic Places: This is administered by the Department of the Interior. The State Historic Preservation Officer must approve the application of the local group.

• Does not provide much in the way of protection against demolition
• But does make it possible for developers to use tax credits in their financing plans.
• If determined eligible for the National Register by the state, owners are prevented from using federal money for demoltion of a property.

2.
Texas State Recorded Landmark: This accompanies the state historic markers. The Texas Historical Commission will need to be notified of changes in the status of the property.

3.
Abilene Historic Landmark: This is also known as historic overlay, and is discussed in more detail below:

 

• Makes it more difficult to demolish a building, but demolition is still possible.
• Provides an educational process for owners, with staff support and advice
• Provides a way for a property to be contributing to the look and feel of its surrounding neighborhood
• Requires a Certificate of Appropriateness before major changes are made to the exterior and provides a procedure for obtaining the Certificate of Appropriateness
• For individuals and for-profit companies, provides ad valorem tax savings from the city portion of their tax bill
• Eligibility for a plaque, “Abilene Historic Landmark”
• Improves the case for state (Texas Recorded State Landmark) and national (National Register for Historic Places) designations
• Is usually desired and requested by the owner
• Need for a Certificate of Appropriateness (C.A.) is triggered by a building permit application, or a demolition permit application.

• Is not analogous to “frozen in time”
• Does not affect what the owner can do with the interior
• No certificate is required for regular maintenance, including painting, unless there is a significant change in the color
• Does not prohibit changes like window replacement
• Selective demolition, removal of accessory buildings for redevelopment, can be allowed with a C.A.
• Modern additions can be allowed with a C.A.

• Historical, archaeological or cultural significance or value to the development, heritage or cultural, characteristics of the city, state or county
• Association with events or persons of significance
• The building style distinctive of a type, period or method of construction or architecture
• Yielding or may yield historical information
• Unique location contributing to a familiar visual feature of a neighborhood
• Represents the work of a master, designer, architect, builder or craftsman