Section 10-A1007. HP-2 PROTECTING HISTORIC PROPERTIES

 

1007.1The most common image of Washington may be the sweeping vista of colonnaded government buildings seen across a tree-lined greensward. For many tourists the marble monuments, rows of museums, and flowering cherry trees define the city. These images are also cherished by the city’s residents, but they are not the only view of historic Washington. 1007.1

 

1007.2Most of the city spreads far beyond its monumental core and out to the boundaries of the District of Columbia. The city’s business center is richly endowed with lively commercial architecture and blessed by its unique midrise scale. Local Washington is a mosaic of neighborhoods-some filled with turreted Victorian rowhouses, some with modest bungalows intermixed with apartments, and others lined block after block with broad turn-of-the century front porches. Washington’s architecture is an eclectic mix that belies the dignified uniformity of the tourist postcards. And much of the historic city is still intact. This is a prime source of the city’s charm and an inheritance that should make all Washingtonians proud. 1007.2

 

1007.3The protection of these historic properties is by far the most resource-intensive function of the city’s historic preservation program. Protection functions are an integral part of the community planning, development review, and permitting processes shared among several agencies, and they are often the means by which ordinary citizens come into contact with the Historic Preservation Office. Broadly speaking, protection functions include developing effective preservation tools through preservation planning, ensuring the use of proper rehabilitation standards and preservation techniques through building permit review, and promoting compatible new design in historic neighborhoods through the development review process. 1007.3

 

1007.4Historic properties receive their most important official protection under both District and federal law. Under the D.C. Historic Protection Act, before a building permit can be issued to demolish or alter the exterior appearance of a historic property, the application must be submitted to the Historic Preservation Review Board (or in some cases, notably in Georgetown, to the Commission of Fine Arts-see text box at left) for a review to determine whether the proposed work is compatible with the character of the historic property. Similar reviews are required for subdivision of historic property or new construction on the property. These reviews are conducted at various levels of complexity, with the most significant projects involving open public meetings where interested groups and individuals may participate. 1007.4

 

1007.5U.S. Commission of Fine Arts

 

The Commission of Fine Arts was established by Congress in 1910 as an independent agency to advise the federal and District governments on matters of art and architecture that affect the appearance of the nation’s capital. The Commission’s primary role is to advise on proposed federal building projects, but it also reviews private buildings adjacent to public buildings and grounds of major importance, including Rock Creek Park (under the Shipstead-Luce Act), projects in the Historic District of Georgetown (under the Old Georgetown Act), and properties owned by the District government.

 

1007.6Under the National Historic Preservation Act, federal agencies must consider the effect of their projects on designated or eligible historic properties. This review occurs in a consultation process with the State Historic Preservation Officer and is known as Section 106 review. Other interested parties are invited to participate in this process. The same consultation is required for District government or private projects funded or licensed by a federal agency. In Section 106 review, the SHPO applies the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and the Secretary’s Standards for Rehabilitation to ensure that work on historic properties is consistent with their historic character. 1007.6

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.