Historic Resources Committee

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Historic Resources Committee and Regional and Urban Design Committee .
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I am looking for a little assistance and once again turning to our Knowledge Communities for support. The Richmond Commission of Architectural Review (CAR) oversees the exterior design of roughly 6000 properties that are within designated historic districts.

The Commission is dedicated to maintaining a substantial urban fabric in the central city of Richmond. Although not within the purview of the Commission, a recent concern is the wholesale demolition of buildings that currently add to this fabric.  Some members of the Commission would like to address this issue with our city government and city council; however, we feel that we need to point to case studies or examples of cities and communities that protect their city fabric with various demolition restrictions.

Are you aware of cities that have demolition restrictions and any contacts that could advise us regarding those restrictions (planners, zoning folks, etc.)?

As always, thanks for your support. 

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David Johannas AIA
Johannas Design Group
Richmond VA
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See: lerk.seattle.gov/~scripts/nph-brs.exe?s1=&s2=demolition&S3=Title+adj+25&Sect4=AND&l=0&Sect3=PLURON&Sect5=CODE1&d=CODE&p=1&u=%2F%7Epublic%2Fcode1.htm&r=13&Sect6=HITOFF&f=G

and interagency agreement between the Dept of Planning and Development and Department of Neighborhoods.

Contact Karen Gordon at (206) 684-0381.

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Larry Johnson AIA
The Johnson Partnership
Seattle WA
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Denver has recently added some restrictions on demolition of buildings that might be eligible for landmark status. In addition, the local preservation organization, Historic Denver, is undertaking, with the City and County of Denver a complete building inventory. Contact the Denver Department of Community Planning and development at: denvergov.org ALAN GOLIN GASS, FAIA AGGA ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN DESIGN 602 South Harrison Lane Denver, CO 80209 land: 303-778-6661 cell: 303-204-6359 AGGA@aol.com ************* -----Original Message----- From: Larry Johnson To: Alan Gass My Subscriptions <http://network.aia.org/AIA/AIA/Discussions/MySubscriptions/Default.aspx>.

Well, i can tell you that Ann Arbor, Michigan is a bad place for help in that regard. We have been frustrated repeatedly by this threat, and the developers always win in the end. If the property is not in a registered historic district, then you are out of luck, period. We have tried to use a voluntary design review process to encourage developers to use restraint and do the right thing, but they refuse and push for removal of the impediment of old buildings, no matter how historic, to then build new buildings of lesser quality and of questionable use to the city. I am frustrated, as you may have noticed from the tone of my response, but it is the truth. Check back in a year or two to see if things have changed...but i doubt it. Good luck in Richmond.

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Ilene Tyler FAIA
Quinn Evans Architects
Ann Arbor MI
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-11-2013 18:04
From: Alan Gass
Subject: demolition of urban fabric

Denver has recently added some restrictions on demolition of buildings that might be eligible for landmark status. In addition, the local preservation organization, Historic Denver, is undertaking, with the City and County of Denver a complete building inventory.


Contact the Denver Department of Community Planning and development at:


denvergov.org



ALAN GOLIN GASS, FAIA
AGGA ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN DESIGN
602 South Harrison Lane Denver, CO 80209
land: 303-778-6661 cell: 303-204-6359
AGGA@aol.com
*************

New Orleans is a good city to begin your research. Search for the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission, as well as the Preservation Resource Center. 

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John Messina AIA
Principal
John Messina . Architect
Tucson AZ
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You might try the City of Pasadena, CA.  Every permit in the City has to go thru Historic Preservation Design Review whether it is a historic property or not, new or remodel, commercial or residential, etc. The historic preservation plan checker sits in the permit center and reviews all requests for permits and plans submitted for plan check, including demolition. You have to get his OK before receiving any permit, just like zoning or fire review.  

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Craig Mount AIA
AECOM
Los Angeles CA
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San Francisco has a very aggressive program to protect historic buildings. It is regulated by the Planning Dept. under the authority of the California Environmental Equality Act, a state regulation. They use the Secretary of the Interior's standards for Historic Preservation as a general guideline. The local AIA office here or SPUR could help you, I'm sure.

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A. Atkinson
A. Gordon Atkinson, Architect
San Francisco CA
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It is a sad fact, a tragedy, that we in America continue to demolish our architectural heritage at the same time that we continue to destroy land to erect more shopping centers. Controlling urban development and growth for the common good is considered by many to be socialistic and an encroachment upon private interests.

I invite my colleagues to attend the AIA Europe conference in Duesseldorf Germany from October 10-13 to witness preservation, consolidation, intensification of the urban fabric tools to create a livable environment. Visit www.AIAEurope.org. 

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Karl Hartnack AIA
Component Past President
Hartnack Architecture
Duesseldorf

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