Historic District Designation: An Overview

A local historic district is a defined geographic area that has historical, architectural, social, or geographical significance to the community. Designation of a landmark by the City of Littleton is a formal recognition of a landmark’s contribution as a historic resource in the community.

Applications for designation of landmarks are reviewed by the City’s Historical Preservation Board and approved by City Council. Once designated, buildings within the district are preserved under the City’s historic preservation program.

Benefits

• The proposed incentive package for the Downtown Historic District includes reduction in parking requirements, waiver of building permit and use tax fees, access to a City-funded historic preservation grant program for design assistance, façade improvements, and other preservation projects. See handout on Proposed Incentives Package
• Eligibility for state and federal tax credits for qualified rehabilitation projects
• Pride and interest in your property by the community

Obligations

• Proper maintenance of landmark to prevent deterioration.
• City approval for exterior alterations to the property to ensure the historic character of the structure is maintained. Maintenance, including a change in paint color, is not subject to review by the City.

Additional important information

• The effect of designation on property values in any given historic district are unknown.
• Check with your insurance agent to determine if there would be any changes to your policy as a result of the establishment of a historic district (see handout on Frequently Asked Questions on what the city would require in case of damage or loss of a structure).
• Once an application for historic district is accepted by the city, a 90-day freeze on certain building permits will be in place. If an emergency building permit is needed, contact the Community Development Department.

Process for designating a historic district

Applicants

• Meet with City staff and a member of the Historical Preservation Board to discuss the effects of local designation and the application procedure.
• Submit an application that includes:
  —a map of the proposed district
  —confirmation that a majority of property owners within the district consent to designation

City

• Upon inquiry on an application for a historic district, contact owners within the proposed boundary and provide the reasons for and effects of designation on their property.
• Upon submittal of an application, review application for completeness and contact the applicant with any necessary additional information that may be needed.
• Prepare a report addressing criteria for designation and a recommendation to the Historical Preservation Board.
• Schedule application for public hearing and consideration by the Historical Preservation Board for a recommendation to City Council on the designation.
• Schedule application for public hearing and consideration by City Council.
• Notify property owners by mail of upcoming public hearings on the district.
• Provide notification to property owners of City Council’s decision and a copy of the ordinance, if approved.