By Sue Tepas
The Skinker-DeBaliviere Neighborhood has been looking into the possibility of applying for “historic district” status and exploring what work would be needed to make such an application. The Washington Heights Neighbors meeting April 10th presented Carolyn Toft explaining just what steps had to be taken by local residents. Ms. Toft, from Heritage/St. Louis, has been involved in the preparations by several areas now designated historic districts, and her familiarity with the necessary procedures furnished answers to many questions. Ms. Toft outlined the following needs, stressing that due to other projects now underway or done, we are already about half-way there. Section 914B.020 of the zoning Code requires: (1) a general location map and legal description of the boundaries of the historic district (each of our three neighborhood organizations has its own map to play with, and boundaries will be discussed with all residents): (2) a statement documenting the area’s historical, architectural or cultural significance (our neighborhood history more than qualifies): (3) the surveys (now completed or in progress) for Heritage/St. Louis, indicating the existing uses of all properties in and around the proposed district; (4) a general development plan showing all planned restoration and new development; (5) a set of proposed standards for the district concerning building facades, setbacks, and design details for new and old street appearances; and (6) any amendments to current zoning deemed necessary.
Once these steps have been taken, with maximum input of interested citizens, we send a petition to City Plan Commission (now Community Development) which in turn has the Landmarks and Urban Design Commission review it, as well as other city agencies which might be involved, depending on what is in our proposed area and development plan. Within 90 days Community Development receives all the agency and commission reports and recommendations, and must “cause to be prepared a Historic District zoning bill with a developmental plan,” for the Board of Aldermen if our area passes all the requirements and agrees on any recommended changes. The aldermen can’t vote on such a bill until there is a public hearing with plenty of notice required by law. If passed by the Board of Aldermen and signed by the Mayor, the Historic District becomes a reality.
What would this do to us? There is one step added to getting a building permit because the Landmarks and Urban Design Commission has to see that what is proposed on the building permit application squares with the standards our community has set for our Historic District. Since these standards will be public knowledge, it will be easy for anyone wishing to make any changes to consult it before planning the change desired.
Our alderman, John G. Roach, has asked us to speed our consideration of whether or not we want to become an Historic District. A great deal of work must be done to get a bill, ready for the Fall session of the Board of Aldermen. If we have a broadly based plan of development prepared here in the community and approved by Community Development, Mr. Roach can use it to see that any funds becoming available are obtained for any part of our plan. Rosedale Neighborhood Association’s Historic District Committee has begun meeting weekly, and Parkview and Washington Heights will each have a committee by May (see the June Paper for names and phone numbers). Any Rosedale resident wishing to join their committee is welcome —call
Originally published in The Paper, May 1975.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1975_05.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
