More Home Owners Investing In Historic Overlay Zoning
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: January 22, 2012
"Some people said, well you want to be careful about getting it historically zoned then you cant change stuff on the outside, or there are certain restrictions," explains David Keel.
Restrictions that include maintaining the historical appearance of the property, something that David and Kirsten Keel had no problem doing.
"Just looking around at the neat things this house has, there's pocket doors and a beautiful wood stair case, it was evident, this was the house for us," Kirsten explains.
The Keels are not alone. Historical designations are on the rise here in Abilene.
"We've had a pretty significant increase in the number of folk that are seeking historic overlay protection on their properties this year," explains Ed McRoy with the City of Abilene.
According to the city, this past year they designated 14 historic properties, compared to none in 2010, and the year before that, there was only one.
McRoy says, "Folks are starting to recognize some of the not only financial benefits to the program, but also some of the cultural value to doing that."
Both things this young couple wanted to make sure they did when investing in historic preservation.
"As Abilene is growing out if all the homes in the middle just start to get to a point where they just have to be torn down we're just going to lose that important center of the city," says David.
Historic overlay zoning may not be for everyone, but the Keels wanted to make their contribution in keeping Abilene alive.
Kirsten says, "I think we would prefer recycling something old and beautiful than making something new. You just can't get the character that old homes have in new built homes so it's so important to keep that history alive."
Restrictions that include maintaining the historical appearance of the property, something that David and Kirsten Keel had no problem doing.
"Just looking around at the neat things this house has, there's pocket doors and a beautiful wood stair case, it was evident, this was the house for us," Kirsten explains.
The Keels are not alone. Historical designations are on the rise here in Abilene.
"We've had a pretty significant increase in the number of folk that are seeking historic overlay protection on their properties this year," explains Ed McRoy with the City of Abilene.
According to the city, this past year they designated 14 historic properties, compared to none in 2010, and the year before that, there was only one.
McRoy says, "Folks are starting to recognize some of the not only financial benefits to the program, but also some of the cultural value to doing that."
Both things this young couple wanted to make sure they did when investing in historic preservation.
"As Abilene is growing out if all the homes in the middle just start to get to a point where they just have to be torn down we're just going to lose that important center of the city," says David.
Historic overlay zoning may not be for everyone, but the Keels wanted to make their contribution in keeping Abilene alive.
Kirsten says, "I think we would prefer recycling something old and beautiful than making something new. You just can't get the character that old homes have in new built homes so it's so important to keep that history alive."
Comments
If you have the money I say go for it, but it gets real expensive. You cant just run to Lowes to buy new windows, doors or pretty much anything for that matter. Not to mention that solid wood doors and single pain windows are as inefficient as you can get.
kevin c.
January 22, 2012 at 9:09 pm
