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HISTORIC
DISTRICT COMMISSION
PROPOSED
PRESERVATION GUIDELINES
The nine-member Historic District Commission (HDC) was
established in 1993 along with the adoption of the Historic District Ordinance
as an overlay zoning district. The first local historic district was designated
as the Chautauqua District in October 1995. In 1996 the City Council adopted the
Chautauqua Historic District Design Guidelines, and after designation of the
Miller Historic District in December 1997, the Miller Historic District Design
Guidelines were adopted in November 1998, based on the Chautauqua Guidelines.
The HDC has the responsibility to determine appropriateness of proposed changes
to structures and sites within the two historic districts, and to also review,
analyze and make recommendations on changes to the Historic Preservation
Guidelines.
Since the original guidelines were adopted, the HDC has discussed the need for
greater specificity; and over the last five years, increasing requests to add
large additions, remove garages, or to make extensive renovations to historic
structures led to more discussions about updating the guidelines.
In 2006 the HDC began that process in earnest with an eye toward updating and
clarifying the guidelines and combining them into one document. Over 40 regular
meetings and study sessions with public notice were held to create a draft
preservation document that would include not only guidelines, but information to
assist the public in understanding preservation issues.
In February 2008 the City Council enacted a six month administrative delay for
any requests for additions to historic structures to allow the HDC to complete
their analysis. Upon completion of a draft of the Historic Preservation
Handbook, notifications of planned public meetings was mailed to all property
owners in the two historic districts, information was placed on the City of
Norman web site, and press releases were in both The Norman Transcript and The
Oklahoman. Four public hearings were held on March 15, April 3, May 1, and May 7
to obtain input from property owners in the two districts about the guidelines
portion of the document.
Following the public input meetings the HDC held an additional four follow-up
meetings to analyze the input and incorporate that information into the final
“rules only” draft of the guidelines to be sent to the City Council.
On Tuesday June 17th the City Council held a study session to discuss the
proposed guidelines. The Mayor announced that Council Member Dillingham intends
to hold a Ward 4 meeting to discuss the proposed guidelines prior to future
Council deliberation. The Ward 4 meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 30 at
6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at 201 West Gray. The previously stated date
for City Council deliberation of July 8 has been postponed to allow for the Ward
4 meeting.
When these guidelines are formally adopted by the Norman City Council, they will
be imbedded in the Historic Preservation Handbook.
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