State Historical Landmark Bill Draws Opposition From Local Preservationists
For many people, the label “historic” on a building means something positive. The label, and little bronze plaque that comes with it, identifies a place as having a history worth remembering. But for others, the designation can mean quite the opposite – obstruction, backward thinking, and red tape.
The Texas Legislature is considering a bill that would limit a city’s ability to designate buildings as historic. The bill is a response to some property owners who complained that current historic designations slow their ability to develop, too much. The bill’s provisions include restricting the definition of what is historic and compelling local landmark boards to decide whether a structure is historic or not within 30 days, so as not to leave property owners in limbo.
However, in communities like Galveston, where landmarks drive a historical tourism industry, this bill could have serious implications. Tom Schwenk, a realtor and the chairman of the Galveston Landmark Commission says historic buildings contribute to the character of his city, and that this benefits citizens living in the area.
“When you keep pulling things down…I think that sometimes we forget about the neighbors in a historic district, or living around historic properties,” he says.
Read more: http://www.texasstandard.org/stories/state-historical-landmark-bill-draws-opposition-from-local-preservationists/
