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Toolbox for Commissioners

Below are links to information of particular value to members of historic preservation commissions and committees. For more assistance, contact OHP's Local Government and Environmental Compliance Unit.

National Alliance of Preservation Commissioners

graphic: New  The mission of the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions  (NAPC) is “To build strong local preservation programs through education, training, and advocacy.” Established in 1983, NAPC provides technical support and manages an information network to help local commissions accomplish their preservation objectives. The Alliance also serves as an advocate at federal, state, and local levels of government to promote policies and programs that support preservation commission efforts.  NAPC maintains a resource library, publishes a journal,and maintains a listserv for NACP members. NAPC provides educational and training programs to the dedicated volunteers who serve on local historic preservation commissions and municipal staff. 


Law and the Historic Preservation Commission: What Every Member Needs to Know

Law and Historic Preservation Commissions: What Every Member Needs to Know by James K. Reap and Melvin B. Hill, Jr. provides an introduction to basic legal issues and concepts that historic preservation board members may encounter during their service. The co-authors see the overall goal of the publication as an effort to “…demystify the law governing historic preservation and give commissioners the information they need to make sound and legally defensible decisions.” 

Cultural Resources Partnership Notes

ISSUE PAPERS: CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

LOCAL PRESERVATION REFERENCE SHELF
Compiled by The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions

SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Stephen A. Morris

ZONING AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION Stephen A. Morris

Local Historic Districts

  • What are the benefits of creating local historic districts and local design guidelines?
  • What are local design guidelines and how do they affect my property?
  • What treatment is best for a historic property?
  • What does a local preservation ordinance do?

    You can find answers to these and other questions about historic districts in the National Park Service publication: Working on the Past in Local Historic Districts

    • RECENT PAST RESOURCE GUIDE
    Prepared by Jeanne Lambin of The National Trust

    Technical Assistance

    Guide to Developing Downtown Design Guidelines (PDF - 53 pgs)

    "Drafting Effective Historic Preservation Ordinances: A Manual for California's Local Governments" (Technical Assistance Bulletin #14)

    CDBG - PRESERVING AMERICA Historic Preservation and Heritage Tourism in Housing and Community Development, a guide to using CDBG funds for historic preservation and heritage tourism, is now available online.

    Donovan D Rypkema, Principal of Place Economics:  "Sustainability , Smart Growth, and Historic Preservation"  Historic Districts Council Annual Conference in New York City, 10 March 2007.