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What is a Historic Overlay District? The Historic Overlay District is a tool that the City can use to better protect areas, sites, and buildings that meet recognized standards of architectural and historic significm~ce. The districts have design review requirements that exceed regular zoning protection. One of thc primary msponsibglties of the Fargo Historic Preservation Conunission (HPC) is to administer the provisions of Fargo's Ilistoric Overlay District. Its job is to protect and enhance the resources that give buildings or the district its historic, architectural, or archaeological significance. Stated in Section 20-0305(C) or,he Fargo Land Development Code, the Historic Overlay Dislhct regulations are intended to: 1. Protect and conserve thc herltage olhbc City 2. SaFeguard the character and heritage of the historic districts that emhody important elements of the Ci~'s social, economic, political or architectorA history 3. Promote conservation of historic resources for the education, pleas~e and cultordi enrlctunent of residents of the City 4. Stabilize and enhance proper~y values throughout historic areas, thus con~bnting to the improvement of the health and welfare of residents m~d visitors Historic Overlay Districts in Fargo Today, the City Commission has designated one Historic Overlay District in the City of Fargo. It is located in downtown Fargo, m~d can be generally described as thllowing Roberts Streeg between NP and 2~e Avenue North, inclusive of the Gardner Apartments and Federal Courthouse west of Robc'rts. How are Historic Overlay Districts established? Historic Overlay Dis~cts are established when the City Commission adopts an amendment to the City's zoning map. Any citizen or orgadization can propose the estabfislm~ent of a district, winch may consist of a single prope~y or a group of related properties. The Historic Preservation Commission will hold a public hearLag on all proposed districts, prior to them being considered by the Planning Commission. Neighboring property owners will also be notified of the proposed distxict creation. The Plmmthg Commission considers the recommendation of the Historic Prcscrvatlon Commission. Final decision is made by the City Commission. What is the Historic Preservation Commission Review Process? AS reqtdred by the Land Development Code, all applications and plans for properties within a Historic Overlay District, must be submitted to the Historic Preservation Co~ranission ~br review. While the HPC plays an advisory role in the broader development review processes, specific HPC approval is required belbre a permit may be issued within the Historic Overlay District. First, an appfication for a Certificate of Appropriateness is submirted to the office of Platmthg and Development as stated in the LDC, Section 20-[912. The Historic Preservation CoramJssion w~l review the application, approve or deny, ~e Certificate of Appropriateness and then forwarded to the Planning Conunission and City Conunission for public hearkngs and ffmal action. The Historic Presetwation Corm~fission reviews plans f~r new developmeut ms well as changes to existing properties within the dlstriet. This is because hnhoric buildings or sites lose their cultoral and aesthetic significance to residents, and economic value to owners if inappropriate ehangns are made to the buildings or their enviromnent.