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Historic District Boundaries10 Factors in Establishing Boundary Lines

Look at an original map of the area. Compare the boundaries of historic settlements, subdivisions, or other parts of the region. Compare them to changes that have occurred over time to help you draw more accurate lines.

1. Take into account historic boundaries.

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Think about the visual character of your community as you look at the style of its buildings, bridges, and other structures. For example, is there a large concentration of Victorian-era homes next to a neighborhood of 20th-century brick ranch houses?

Also, look at the surrounding topography and take into consideration any special gateways or entrances.

2. Analyze an architectural survey.

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Look for already existing elements like railroads, expressways, and major highways that can serve as your boundary lines.

Other examples include: major urban spaces; rivers, marshlands, and other natural features; major changes in land use; walls; embankments; and fence lines.

3. Use physical features as lines.

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Don’t forget about the legally established boundary lines of your town. And streets, local rights-of-way, property lines, and other previously drawn lines can be used to set boundaries.

4. Incorporate official lines.

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It’s important to consider the opinions of government officials, institutions, private citizens, and property owners. Plus, they’ll have ideas and suggestions from a different point of view on where to draw your district borders.

5. Consider the politics.

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Just as you must respect residents’ opinions on where to set the boundary lines of your district, you must also consider their ability to pay for improvements, desire to conform to district regulations, and the affordability of remaining in the area after historic district designation.

If your new lines negatively impact a majority of those who would be living within them, then the benefits that come with historic district designation will be lost.

6. Also consider how residents will be affected.

Offer residents, property owners, and local preservationists a chance to participate in public meetings and pre-designation workshops.

You can engage planning staff, consultants, or commission members to help conduct the workshops.

7. Hold meetings and workshops.

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The comprehensive inventory of sites and structures produced from the survey will help better inform your decisions on where to set the boundaries of your district.

8. Conduct an historic survey.

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Include these areas when they are completely surrounded by historic resources. This avoids drawing “donut-holes” in the historic district.

But make sure to clearly identify the non-historic areas as such.

9. Include small, non-historic areas.

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Make sure you can adequately justify each of the boundary lines you propose for your historic district. Also be ready to address any irregularities, as well as outline notable geography and areas of special significance.

10. Be able to justify your decisions.

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Ten on Tuesday features ten preservation tips each week. For more tips, visit blog.PreservationNation.org.