Historic Preservation Ordinance Fact Sheet
Overlay Zoning
Application for HP Overlay Zoning may be made by the property owner, the Phoenix
Planning Commission, the city Council, or the Historic Preservation Commission.
The Ordinance provides for the identification and protection of properties,
archaeological resources, and districts of historic significance. The Ordinance
establishes guidelines to preserve the historic character of designated historic
districts, including buildings, sites, structures, objects and their architectural
style, scale, general design, arrangement, texture, and materials in relationship
to other buildings. This Ordinance requires that special permission be obtained
for any development or demolition affecting the HP-zoned sites, structures,
and districts.
The Ordinance evaluation criteria have been developed to provide for
careful, professional review of proposed district boundaries to ensure
the integrity of the district. Not all properties within a proposed
historic district will be historically significant. However, regulation
of both historic and non-historic properties is necessary to maintain
the integrity of the district. The Ordinance includes provisions for
due process and public hearings on affected properties. HP Overlay
Zoning does not change uses permitted by existing zoning.
Phoenix Historic Property Register
All properties and districts that have been zoned "Historic Preservation (HP)" are
listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register. The Register is maintained
by the Historic Preservation Office.
Review Procedure
When a building permit or other permit is requested for a property that is
zoned HP or is within an HP-zoned district, the city Preservation Office
staff must review the proposed project to ensure that the proposed work will
be appropriate or will have no effect on the historic characteristics of
the property. A review process also is established for demolition permits.
The Ordinance includes provisions for due process, public hearings, and appeal
procedures.
Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission
The Ordinance establishes the Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)
to implement the responsibilities of the HP Ordinance. The HPC is charged
with making recommendations to the city Council regarding preservation policies
and to serve as an advocate for historic preservation in the city of Phoenix.
Also, the HPC will review and recommend action on applications for HP Overlay
Zoning and hear appeals of the decisions of the Historic Preservation Officer.
The HPC is made up on nine members appointed by the Mayor and Council for
three-year staggered terms. Members of the HPC are required to have special
interest or experience in fields related to historic preservation.
Phoenix Historic Preservation Officer
The responsibilities of this full-time position include coordinating Phoenix
preservation efforts; serving as staff to the HPC; keeping the Phoenix Historic
Property Register; issuing Certificates of Appropriateness, No Effect, and
Demolition Approval; providing public information and education; providing
technical assistance; and promoting historic preservation.
