Utah Preservation Planning Guide
Bicknell Mill
Does your community want to plan for historic preservation?
Local historic preservation activities are usually more successful when they follow this sequence:
- Survey
- Designation
- Treatment
This approach is both thorough and effective. Unforeseen circumstances may require deviation from this sequence on occasion, but that should occur only rarely.
Public education activities should be a part of each phase. Education make a big difference in the success of a specific project and in creating greater awareness and support for the overall preservation program.
Here are the steps:
Survey
- Do a Reconnaissance-Level Survey.
This is usually a city-wide, computerized inventory of all the historic buildings in the community.
- Do Intensive Level Surveys
This is in-depth historical research on the various owners of an individual building.
- Do an Archaeological Survey (when applicable—which is not often)
Public education ideas:
- newspaper articles
- property owner contacts
- public involvement
- presentations to planning commission and city council
- walking tour booklets
- tours of historic sites conducted as part of annual community celebrations
- display of historic photos etc. at city hall or library
- presentations to school groups
Designation
- List a building(s) on the community’s Local Historic Sites List
A Local Historic Sites Lists is created by a local preservation ordinance. Standards for these lists are often lenient and non-restrictive.
- List a building on the Local Landmark Register
A Local Landmark Register is also created by a local preservation ordinance. Standards are more exclusive and restrictive.
- Nominate a building to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register designations must be coordinated with the SHPO.
Public education ideas:
- newspaper articles
- neighborhood meetings for owners of historic properties (to address
- questions/concerns, etc.)
- distribution of "fact sheets" to historic property owners so they are aware of the
- implications of designation
- presentation of certificates or plaques to property owners by local officials,
- placement of plaques on buildings
- walking tours
- school programs
Treatment
- Pre-development: architectural and engineering services
- Development: rehabilitation of buildings, stabilization of archaeological sites
- Local Design and Demolition Controls: implemented through a local ordinance
- Local Preservation Incentives: conditional uses, relaxed building code requirements,
grants, etc.
- Tax Incentives for Commercial and Residential Buildings (federal and state tax credit programs)
Public education ideas:
- annual preservation awards for outstanding rehab projects
- tours through completed projects
- ribbon-cuttings involving local and state officials and the press
- newspaper articles
- "rehab in progress" signs displayed on site
- exhibit of architectural drawings at city hall or library
- "before" and "after" photos fornewspaper or exhibit
- coordination with planning commission and city council on planning and zoning-related issues