REVISED! DRAFT OuTLINE DOCUMENT

updated 9/30/2022

>> REVISED DRAFT OUTLINE for a Potential Candler Park Historic District
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The Candler Park Historic Designation Committee will present this outline at the October CPNO meeting and ask for a “Vote of Confidence” at the November CPNO meeting. This vote is NOT to approve a final Local Historic District Designation but is a vote to proceed with the process of community engagement to draft regulations that we, Candler Park, would like for our neighborhood. Aaron Fortner of Canvas Planning Group will lead this process and help us draft the regulations. We will also need to raise funds to pay for his services. Another vote will take place AFTER Candler Park drafts its proposed Local Historic District regulations.  

Draft Outline document text only continues below after the drop...

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Some Definitions 
Contributing and Non-Contributing – Essentially “historic” or “non-historic” according to the district definition. Our starting assessment is that any building or home built in the 1940’s or earlier will be considered to be a Contributing structure.
Compatibility Zone (taken from the Poncey-Highland Historic District) – The area of a property where any additions, alterations or new construction must abide by the local Historic District design guidelines. For example, Poncey Highlands defines this as the portion of a lot located within 60 feet of the front lot line but no more that 50% of the lot depth. Candler Park can define this in its own way.
Compatibility Rule – Elements that are regulated based on the compatibility rule (roof form, architectural trim, etc.) must match the predominant original or historic elements of the historic/ contributing buildings of like use on the same block.

Local Historic District Basics
A Local Historic District...

• Prohibits complete demolition of a Contributing structure except in extenuating circumstances. 
• Provides design standards for both Contributing and Non-Contributing structures. The outline presented here provides a starting point, but must be finalized in the next Phase of the project.
• Simplifies the process for approval of additions, alterations, and new construction, eliminating the need for setback variance requests.
• Can address density or can allow the underlying (existing) zoning/density regulations to continue to determine allowable uses and densities.
• Provides Design Regulations that prevail over any conflicting regulations in the underlying Zoning code (ie, setbacks, height, door and window requirements). 
• Includes an initiation process that is part of a City of Atlanta rezoning process. Once the regulations are drafted by the neighborhood, the application is submitted to the City and they send a notice to each property owner within the proposed district. During this time, there are additional meetings and comments to allow for changes to the regulations. 
• Can only be changed by the neighborhood at any time in the future.

Process and Next Steps
PHASE I
See all work completed to-date at HistoricCandlerPark.org
May 2022 to November 2022

• Community Survey to collect community input (spring 2022)
• Discussion of outline of regulations for a potential Historic District
• Community meetings with the City of Atlanta and representatives from other Historic District neighborhoods
• Vote of Confidence (CPNO) to move forward and draft regulations for potential Candler Park Historic District

 
PHASE II
estimate 6 months: December 2022 to May 2023

• Define potential Historic District boundaries
• Generation of draft regulations for potential Historic District
• Community meetings to collect input on draft regulations for potential Historic District
• Historic District nomination packet prepared (neighborhood history and existing conditions)
• Vote to Submit (CPNO) nomination packet to the City of Atlanta

 
PHASE III
estimate 6 months: June 2022 to December 2023

• Submittal of nomination packet to the City of Atlanta
• Refinement and finalization of Regulations with City of Atlanta staff
• Vote to approve Candler Park Historic District at CPNO
• Vote to approve Candler Park Historic District at NPU N
• Vote to approve Candler Park Historic District at City of Atlanta Zoning Review Board
• Vote to approve Candler Park Historic District at City Council Zoning Committee
• Vote to approve Candler Park Historic District at Full City Council

 

MAP
​See PDF document, page 3.

Poncey-Highland Historic District SAMPLE REGULATIONS
​The below Poncey-Highland Historic District regulations are EXAMPLES ONLY of the kinds of regulations that neighborhoods have written for themselves in recent historic district drafting processes. The Candler Park drafting process will utilize community input to determine exactly what approach to historic district regulations the neighborhood prefers to pursue.
 
Regulations for contributing structures within the Poncey-Highland Historic District

• New construction is allowed in areas outside of the compatibility zone provided they do not project past the side facades of the principal structure and does not exceed FAR and Lot Coverage limits. This applies to all structures including one- and two-story additions, decks and ADUs.
• Historic compatibility regulations are limited only to the portions of buildings that are within the compatibility zone.
• Replacement windows in the compatibility zone must match the size, light pattern, and appearance of the original or historic windows but may be of alternative materials.
• Replacement siding and façade materials must be consistent in design and appearance with the original or historic materials, although alternative materials are allowed.
• Original or historic architectural elements and ornamentation must be retained within the compatibility zone, but may be repaired or replaced as long as the design/appearance is maintained.
• Original or historic awnings or canopies must be retained, and new awnings or canopies may be installed if they are consistent with the architectural style of the building.
• Paint color is not regulated on any building. The coating or painting of uncoated/unpainted masonry surfaces is permitted with the use of a paint product specified for use on exterior masonry surfaces.
• Existing original or historic stoops and porches must be retained, but may be repaired/replaced as long as the historic design/appearance is maintained.
• Chimneys may be raised in height as needed, as long as the extension is consistent with the architectural style of the building. Structurally unstable chimneys may be removed.
• Solar energy generating roofing shingles are permitted. Solar panels are permitted only outside of the lot compatibility zone.
• Second story additions must be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the front-most wall of the building OR must include distinct, clearly articulated architectural elements or treatments along all facades visible from a public street which distinguish the addition from the existing detached house.
• Renovations or additions to improve handicap accessibility are allowed.

 
Regulations for non-contributing structures within the Poncey-Highland Historic District

• Alterations and additions must reflect a consistent architectural form and style whether it is the existing style of the building, a style exhibited by contributing/historic buildings on the same block OR a new style altogether.
  
• Non-contributing structures are allowed to be demolished and vacant lots are allowed to be built upon, with the requirements listed in the bullet above still applying to all new construction.