Historical September–October 2025 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Skinker-DeBaliviere Historic District boasts a mix of single-family and two-family homes, and multi-family and commercial buildings constructed primarily between 1905 and 1930.
The full district also includes the Parkview Local and Catlin Tract areas.
The entire historic district is bounded by Lindell Boulevard to the south, the city limit in Parkview on the west, Delmar Boulevard to the north, and DeBaliviere Avenue to the east. Many of these buildings are eligible for historic tax credits, but all the buildings in this historic district require special attention for maintenance, repair, and additions.
As a homeowner living in this historic district, you have many things to bear in mind when it comes to taking care of your home and stewarding it into the future. Resources are available to you as a community member as a guide for maintaining and updating your historic home.
Please use this information sheet as a guide to help you make legal, sustainable, and appropriate choices for your historic home.
The Skinker-DeBaliviere Historic District Review Committee (SDHRC) is a volunteer committee responsible for ensuring the preservation of the historic character of the neighborhood, reviewing alterations to exterior building changes prior to permitting, and assisting neighbors in historic preservation matters.
The committee is comprised of preservation experts and architecture enthusiasts who are eager and willing to help neighbors make good decisions for preserving and maintaining their historic homes.
The committee meets regularly and will review plans, provide resources, and assist with permitting processes to the best of their abilities.
The committee provides letters of support for projects that require permits and consultation from the Cultural Resources Office or Preservation Board for variances.
The neighborhood aesthetic is “governed” by historic standards and a city ordinance. Generally, materials and styles original to the neighborhood are required to be retained and should be used for work. Modern materials such as vinyl siding, aluminum, wood panels, etc. may not be permitted. Window replacements are of major concern to the neighborhood and our Standards. Windows should maintain the original opening size and should mimic muntin or mullion patterns of the original. You must consult the Cultural Resources Office (CRO) before signing a contract or starting any work on your front façade or side façade on a corner lot. You can obtain a copy of the standards and the ordinance on the city’s CRO website or by contacting the Historic District Review Committee Chair. Questions about maintenance may be directed to the committee.
We maintain a list of approved materials and may have suggestions for processes or products that would suit
your projects. Skinker-DeBaliviere Historic District Making changes to your historic home Making small interior changes does not often require permitting. Things such as changing light fixtures, swapping plumbing fixtures, etc. can be achieved by a licensed professional or a seasoned homeowner. Because we are in a city historic district, almost all exterior work requires a permit. Building permits are required for large scale, structural, or aesthetic changes that alter the integrity of existing conditions.
The SDHRC should be consulted prior to permitting for guidance. Often, homeowners make smaller exterior changes that require Cultural Resources Office-only (CRO) permits because these changes are not large enough for a building permit but are still regulated by Historic District Standards.
This work includes: • window and door replacements on primary facades • gutter and downspout work or replacements • exterior painting previously unpainted of stone, brick, terra cotta, or concrete • repair, replacement, or covering of decorative trim • repointing (sometimes called “tuckpointing”) • replacement of features such as porch railings, balustrades, and balconies • exterior lighting fixtures and conduit visible from the street • awnings and canopies • street furniture (permanent benches, etc) • on-premise sidewalks and drives • retaining walls • fences How do I get a permit? Applications can be made in person at the Building Division – Permit Section in City Hall.
A contractor, design professional, or homeowner may apply for the permit, but it is the responsibility of the homeowner to ensure the permit is issued and posted on the job site before work begins.
The SDHRC can provide letters of support for projects to let the CRO know that work would be acceptable in the neighborhood if it requires a deviation from the Standards.
The Building Division will always refer to historic projects to CRO.
If a CRO-only permit is needed, owners can visit the Hotspot Office directly and generally receive approval on the same day.
If work does not comply with Standards of the neighborhood, applications are held for further review. Site photos (at least 2) should be submitted with the project. Site plans may also be requested. Cost estimates for the work to be completed are required.
Please consult the city website for costs for permits as they are subject to project size.
If you do not have a permit when you start work, one must be obtained.
In some cases, work may be required to be undone and then redone once a permit is obtained.
A fine of $500 may result in failure to obtain the proper permit.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2025.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2025_09.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 2; PDF page(s) 1, 2.
