New Historical Preservation Push Hits Speedbump

Fairhope, Alabama 

 

April HP commission meeting.

CERTIFICATION HELD UP

Chairperson Mara Kozelsky told commission members that certified local government (CLG) status for the city was approved recently by the state's Historical Commission -- but not at the federal level by the National Park Service.

The city council may have to make certain unspecified changes to the ordinance's language to meet NPS standards, she said; it was enacted last May.  

Obtaining CLG status was one of the primary reasons for establishing the commission, to qualify for preservation grants and tax exemptions among other things.

According to the state commission's website: 

"Local governments strengthen their local historic preservation efforts by achieving Certified Local Government (CLG) status from the National Park Service (NPS).

NPS and State governments, through their State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs), provide valuable technical assistance and small matching grants to hundreds of diverse communities whose local governments are endeavoring to keep for future generations what is significant from their community's past ...

Another incentive for participating in the CLG program is the pool of matching grant funds SHPOs set aside to fund CLG historic preservation sub-grant projects--at least 10% of the State's annual Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grant allocation. Grant funds are distributed through the HPF grant program, administered by NPS and SHPOs.  

Currently, Alabama has 35 Certified Local Governments (CLGs), which are cities with locally established historic preservation commissions meeting AHC and NPS standards. These communities put a priority on identifying, protecting and promoting their historic places ... . They also support publications and website resources to promote tourism, business development and reinvestment in historic districts. CLGs can compete for annual grant funds to assist with these activities." 

 

Fairhope's Preservation ordinance.

 

Comments

Anonymous said…
Money. Gubmint grants. Always the same.
Anonymous said…
no, tax breaks
Anonymous said…
Reading comprehension is encouraged . . . . Obtaining CLG status was one of the primary reasons for establishing the commission, to qualify for preservation GRANTS and tax exemptions among other things.
Anonymous said…
Truth is the majority of this city council does not really want it. Maybe the next group will.
Anonymous said…

a scam
Anonymous said…
It seems like we're 2-3 historic homes a year. By the time this thing gets up and running there may be nothing left to preserve.
Anonymous said…
Even councilman Robinson opposes it, secretly.
Anonymous said…
Keep an eye out for any proposed revisions to the water-downed version of the Ordinance which created the Commission and rightfully steered clear of imposing restrictions on homeowners’ property rights.
Anonymous said…
After reading minds, what other divine powers do you possess?
Anonymous said…
If you just can wait a short time then anything that might have been historical will either be torn down or moved to another place and we will have no need for a historical commission now or in the future. Welcome to the new Fairhope!
Anonymous said…
FYI: The Draft process for review of any demolition requests considers structures 50 years and older subject to Commission approval. ‘70s architecture.
Anonymous said…
The number of historic homes will taper off significantly in the future. The tract homes built now won’t make it 50 years, much less 75.