Zoning Sec. 39 — "H" Historic Landmark Subdistrict (Appendix D)

The zoning mechanism that makes preservation rules run with the land. Your district exists because Ord. 93-58 invoked Section 39 to lay HL93-01 across the College Street area. Full text captured from the city's official PDF (ed. 11/21/23); key provisions:

A–C. The "H" suffix#

Any base zoning designation may carry the suffix "H", marking a Historic Landmark subdistrict of "historical, architectural, archaeological or cultural importance." The suffix does not change the legal use or underlying zoning except as the establishing ordinance provides — your R-7.5 (or other) base district still governs use; the overlay adds design control. Additional principal/secondary uses may be authorized in the specific establishing ordinance. Adopted originally Oct 15, 1991 (same night as Appendix G).

D. How designation happens#

Same procedure as a zoning amendment: notice per state statutes → public hearings → P&Z recommendation → City Council adopts the "H" suffix; recorded on all zoning maps. (Ord. 93-58 followed exactly this path — see College Street Historic District for the Nov 16, 1993 record.)

E. Designation criteria (Council/P&Z must find ≥1)#

1. Character/interest/value in the development or heritage of the city, state, or nation
2. Identification with a person who significantly contributed to the city's culture/development
3. Site of a significant historic event
4. Exemplification of the city's cultural, economic, social or historical heritage
5. Relationship to other preservation-eligible buildings/sites in a plan
6. Unique location or singular physical characteristics — an established, familiar visual feature of a neighborhood
7. Value as community sentiment or public pride
8. Detailed recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission

F–G. Practical relief valves#

• Present use not affected — use classifications continue under the comprehensive zoning ordinance
• Off-street parking/loading flexibility: recognizing historic lots can't meet Sections 56–58 standards, applicants may present an alternative parking plan and P&Z may set different amounts and methods — a meaningful concession for historic-district properties.

Related: Historic Preservation Ordinance (Appendix G) §5 · Zoning Sec 28A - HGT Township District · Governing Framework Overview

Source: Source Index §Zoning-sections (GV_Zoning_Sec39_HistoricLandmark.pdf, Downloads + workspace).