Violators of Macon-Bibb County’s historic district guidelines most often claim they had no knowledge of the requirements governing renovations in their neighborhood.
This week, the Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission will mail postcards to every property owner within those specified districts to help clear up confusion and communicate the unique responsibilities those property owners have.
P&Z’s Assistant Executive Director Randi Doveton said those who own multiple properties will likely only receive one card but are encouraged to check all their addresses to confirm whether they mandate extra scrutiny on projects.
“It’s going to the Central Business Districts and the historic districts,” Doveton said of the April 10 mailing that is expected to reach mailboxes in a week to 10 days.
Four decades ago, P&Z designated neighborhoods with “well-established architectural character or historic significance” as districts whose cultural treasures need to be protected through a formal review and application process.
Vineville, InTown and Cherokee Heights neighborhoods fall under the generic historic district guidelines, but Beall’s Hill has had its own set of regulations since 2005.
Macon’s two Central Business Districts also have unique guidelines.
In those historic and business districts, any exterior project other than routine maintenance and repairs requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from P&Z staff or through the Design Review Board, an advisory board whose decisions must be ratified by the Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission.
To preserve the key architectural and historic characteristics of the district, the review board can dictate what types of materials can be used. For example, vinyl windows are not permitted in most historic districts.
Under the Historic Preservation tab on P&Z’s website, a Historic Property Guide provides an overview of what is required in those historic districts.
Routine maintenance and repairs, such as reattaching loose pieces of siding, cleaning, painting, minor repairs to windows, and landscape maintenance do not require approval, nor does interior work although a building permit might be necessary for major work.
While the Design Review Board does not regulate paint color, they do have authority on what can be painted. If the building had already been painted, it does not need a certificate. If it’s never been painted, the board needs to review the project.
While the do’s and don’ts can be tricky, staff encourages property owners to consult them with any questions to be on the safe side.
Zoning information on the tax assessor’s web page designates whether a property is in a design review district by noting one of the following: HR-1, HR-2, HR-3, HPD, CBD-1 or CBD-2.
“NEVER assume that because a neighboring property did something that is allowed; it may be grandfathered, or the owner did work without a permit and it’s in violation,” the Historic Property Guide states.
Violators can be fined and might be taken to court to be compelled into compliance.
Recent Design Review Board cases
Monday, Jeff George came before the Design Review Board requesting to paint the stained gold brick that won’t come clean on his building at 512 Second St.
George pointed to two other painted brick buildings nearby as evidence his project should be approved — the new Ace Hardware at the corner of First and Pine streets and the Stone and Baxter law firm at Third and Plum streets.
In reviewing both of those cases, The Macon Newsroom found that the Ace Hardware contractors could not match the old Burns brick on the building while renovating so were permitted to paint the building. The building at Third and Plum had already been painted in the past before the more recent renovation.
Tree removals also must be approved in these districts.
Monday, Stephen Steiner requested permission to chop down three trees around his 1831 home at 1074 Georgia Avenue.
In short order, the board decided the storm-damaged pecan tree was rotting, the huge pine was leaning toward the historic home and was a threat, and a holly that did not fit in the otherwise symmetrical landscape was encroaching on one of the main magnolias flanking the walkway.
All three tree removals were approved.
As an example of other items the Design Review Board covers, they informed Rogers Avenue apartment owner Tracie Barksdale her corrugated metal roofing was not allowed in the Vineville Historic District and gave her the option of standing seam metal roofing or regular shingles.
They closely examined and approved architect Shannon Fickling’s plans for a wheelchair ramp at Mulberry United Methodist Church, and suggested Kayandra Morgan make some design revisions to planned accessory buildings to better complement the Tudor style of her Cherokee Heights home.
The board signed off on Rafael Robles’ installation of a new window and gutters, repairs to rotting windows, columns and siding at 1007 Magnolia St.
They also approved the limited use of PVC at the base of Robles’ wood columns to protect against moisture, but make those decisions on a case-by-case basis as that newer material is not listed in the guidelines.
P&Z is compiling new historic district regulations that are expected to be approved later this year. At that time, another mailing is planned to the historic property owners.
P&Z’s Executive Director Jeff Ruggieri said they plan to do a regular review of property sales in the historic districts to make sure new owners are aware of the rules.
“This first effort is like $800 in mailing, so it’s not super expensive to do,” he said.
— Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities for The Macon Newsroom and can be reached at fabian_lj@mercer.edu or 478-301-2976.
