Take the community of Galion in Crawford County, for instance. Galion is a Certified Local Government community, one of approximately 50 in Ohio, and is a bit unique in that it not only has multiple design review districts and boards, but also has a local landmarking program. We're happy to share with you (with permission) the following which appeared this past week in Galion's hyperlocal website, GalionLive, which is an attempt to explain these various programs.
Landmark, National Register, Design Review -- What's What? And Why?
Two weeks ago, the Galion Design Review Board, the oldest of the city’s architectural review boards, decided to re-launch the Galion Landmarks Register, which was initially started soon after the Board’s creation in 1994. After a handful of initial properties were designated, the list fell into disuse. Recently, City of Galion Design Review staff person Linda Chambers resurrected the idea – and this time the program will include a partnership with the Galion Historical Society.GalionLive readers might be a bit confused, however, over terminology – the “what’s what” of historic preservation in Galion. What, you might ask, is the difference between the Galion Landmarks Register and a building’s inclusion in a design review district? What is the National Register of Historic Places, what Galion buildings are included on that list, and what does that mean for property owners? Why do we have these programs?
It really does not need to be confusing – here’s what each of these terms mean:
Design Review.
Galion adopted its design review ordinance in 1994 at the time that it applied for its first downtown revitalization grant. In fact, Galion has received over $1.6 million in such grants over the last 15 years. The city would not have been eligible for those funds, and for additional funds it has received, without that ordinance in place.
Design review ordinances control exterior modifications to buildings included within its boundaries. Galion actually has three design review boards, each in charge of reviewing projects occurring within a specific area. In general, all buildings and houses along Harding Way East and West (between East Street and Portland Way) are included in design review districts, as are many buildings along side streets in the Uptowne (Liberty, Columbus, Market and Union Streets). Each of these areas has a different set of guidelines, which have been adopted to promote certain types of development. In the Uptowne, for instance, the City of Galion Design Review Board uses nationally-accepted historic preservation guidelines to review applications. This is also true for the Historic West Main Street Design Review Board, which conducts design reviews for properties on Harding Way West between Boston and Jefferson Streets.
Design review is a common-sense approach that focuses on creating an environment for investment. Typically, property owners are encouraged to invest in their property when they know that adjacent properties will not be changed in ways that take away from the appeal of the neighborhood or area. There is flexibility in design review, and each application is considered separately. In each case, ordinances setting up the system have been enacted only after every affected property owner has been contacted and had the opportunity to register their opinion. In each case in Galion, the vast majority of owners supported the process.
It is also important to note that because Galion has design review, and because its ordinance has been reviewed and approved by the State of Ohio and the National Park Service, property owners in those districts are eligible for certain types of financial incentives for renovation and rehabilitation, such as the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit. The city is also eligible for grants for various types of projects, and remains eligible for federal grant funds for revitalization. Over 100 Ohio cities have design review in place, and it is considered one of the basic tools for 21st century economic development and community revitalization.
National Register of Historic Places.
The National Register of Historic Places was established in the mid-1960s to recognize properties which are deemed worthy of protection and preservation because of their historic features or history. There are three “types” of properties on the register – one, buildings which are individually listed, two, properties which are included in what are referred to as National Register Historic Districts, and three, National Historic Landmarks. Galion has seven properties individually listed on the National Register, and none in the other two classifications. On the other hand, Bucyrus’ downtown area is listed as a National Register Historic District, and therefore has dozens more properties on the Register than Galion.
It is important to note that the National Register of Historic Places is almost completely honorary. The only restriction that comes with listing is a mandatory review process if federal funds are being used. If private funds only, or state funds, are being used there are no restrictions.
Let’s take Brownella Cottage, for instance, which has been on the National Register since the mid-1970s. The Galion Historical Society could legally demolish Brownella tomorrow without any restrictions because of its National Register status. Because it is in a City of Galion design review district, however, that demolition would be reviewed (and likely declined) by the City of Galion Design Review Board.
So – the most important thing to remember is that the National Register of Historic Places is almost exclusively an honor given to a property, not a set of restrictions. You may have heard differently, but that information was incorrect. There are financial incentives tied to listing, however, such as the ability to gain a 20% tax credit for major renovation work.
City of Galion Landmark Register.
The Landmark Register is completely and totally honorary in nature – there are no strings attached to listing in any way whatsoever. If a house on Summit Street or a building on South Street were to be placed on the register, it would mean nothing at all in terms of exterior renovation, demolition, etc.; it is simply a way for the community to recognize properties that have significant local history and/or architecture, and whose owners would like to participate in the program. Of course, on the other hand there are no financial incentives attached to the listing.
There will be a plaque available for properties listed on the register, should the owner so choose. Information on plaques and the entire Landmark Register program can be obtained by contacting Linda Chambers at: 419.468.4144.
Photo: Brownella Cottage, Galion - Preservation Ohio File Photo