Historic Resources Committee

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Ronald Peters AIA
President
HistoricStreetscapes PLLC
Mesa AZ
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I am in the process (as a board member of a local preservation foundation) of restoring a sign that blew over in a wind storm. We want to have the property owner sign a conservation easement document to protect the sign, but have had no luck in finding an example. Building easements are available but none for signs. I have checked with SHPO, NPS, NTHP Western region and national, Main street program, Forum, HP officers in multiple states, the route 66 sign restoration program, and so many more Ive lost track. Does anyone out there have any experience with Conservation easement documents for historic signs???????

As part of a tax act rehab in 2000, when the PSFS Building (Howe and Lescaze 1930) was converted to a hotel, there was an agreement to preserve the iconic letters on the top of the building.  Since they still shine brightly, I think the agreement was in addition to the normal 5 year freeze on alterations to tax act properties.  It is the Loew's Hotel in Philadelphia, the architects were BLT, also here in Philadelphia.  I can think of several other tax act projects where this has been the case.  Maybe NPS in DC can shed some more light on this.

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James Garrison AIA
Frens & Frens, LLC
Phoenixville PA
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I am on an Historic Preservation Commission, and we have a couple of properties where we have an easement for the facade only, would something like that work for you?  I believe I can get the documentation from our city liaison.  
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Latecia Herzog Assoc. AIA
Intern Architect
L-Designs, LLC
Pocatello ID
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-25-2011 08:52
From: James Garrison
Subject: Conservation easement for a historic sign

As part of a tax act rehab in 2000, when the PSFS Building (Howe and Lescaze 1930) was converted to a hotel, there was an agreement to preserve the iconic letters on the top of the building.  Since they still shine brightly, I think the agreement was in addition to the normal 5 year freeze on alterations to tax act properties.  It is the Loew's Hotel in Philadelphia, the architects were BLT, also here in Philadelphia.  I can think of several other tax act projects where this has been the case.  Maybe NPS in DC can shed some more light on this.

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James Garrison AIA
Frens & Frens, LLC
Phoenixville PA
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You might look into how your local utility companies are trending regarding easements, etc.

Simply create a new plat via metes & bounds and designate it as a historical easement if local ordinance allows for such a thing.
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Juan Ortiz AIA
Principal
Ortiz Architecture & Environment LLC
Weslaco TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-25-2011 11:21
From: Latecia Herzog
Subject: Conservation easement for a historic sign


I am on an Historic Preservation Commission, and we have a couple of properties where we have an easement for the facade only, would something like that work for you?  I believe I can get the documentation from our city liaison.  
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Latecia Herzog Assoc. AIA
Intern Architect
L-Designs, LLC
Pocatello ID
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Ron :

I worked on a building on the San Francisco Wharf, that had a large sign. The sign is larger than the current SF Planning code is allowing these days . What came of the discussion , is that if we did not change the sign, it was grandfathered in, as - is.

I think the only thing one could do, was clean, paint and replace light bulbs, ect.

Seems like you may have a similar situation.

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Nancy Harper AIA
Scottsdale AZ
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Is building on National Register or just local?
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Juan Ortiz AIA
Principal
Ortiz Architecture & Environment LLC
Weslaco TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-25-2011 19:24
From: Nancy Harper
Subject: Conservation easement for a historic sign

Ron :

I worked on a building on the San Francisco Wharf, that had a large sign. The sign is larger than the current SF Planning code is allowing these days . What came of the discussion , is that if we did not change the sign, it was grandfathered in, as - is.

I think the only thing one could do, was clean, paint and replace light bulbs, ect.

Seems like you may have a similar situation.

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Nancy Harper AIA
Scottsdale AZ
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