Preservation District

Definition

A Preservation District is a zoning designation intended to protect and preserve areas with significant environmental, historical, or scenic value. These districts impose strict regulations and limitations on development and land use to prevent modifications that would alter the character or value of these sensitive areas. The goal is to maintain and protect the unique qualities and integrity of these regions for future generations.

Key Characteristics:

Regulation Stringency: Enforces more rigorous land use regulations compared to other zoning categories.
Focus Areas: Typically applied to historic districts, natural landscapes, scenic vistas, and parklands.
Purpose: Ensures the long-term preservation of the area’s environmental, historical, or scenic attributes.

Examples

Costa Casa City, California
Costa Casa City has implemented a preservation district in its zoning ordinance to safeguard its beaches and native flora. This zoning regulation prohibits commercial development along designated beachfront areas, ensuring the coastline remains untouched by real estate projects that could harm the natural ecosystem.
Historic Charleston, South Carolina
In Charleston, many downtown zones are classified as preservation districts to protect the city’s historic buildings and streetscapes. Regulations prevent inappropriate modifications to building facades, ensuring that any renovations or new constructions conform to the historical standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What types of areas might be included in a preservation district?
Preservation districts typically include sensitive environmental areas, historic districts, scenic landscapes, and parklands where conservation and protection are prioritized.

2. Can property owners make any changes within a preservation district?
Property owners in preservation districts often face restrictions that limit significant alterations. Any changes usually require approval from local planning or preservation committees to ensure compliance with the preservation goals.

3. Why are preservation districts important?
Preservation districts help maintain the integrity and character of significant areas, preventing overdevelopment and ensuring that future generations can enjoy these sites. They balance growth and conservation effectively.

4. How is a preservation district established?
Establishing a preservation district typically involves community input, proposals from local government or historic societies, and regulatory approval through a zoning or planning commission.

Zoning: The regulation and restriction of land use within a jurisdiction.
Conservation Easement: A legal agreement that restricts the use of land to achieve certain conservation objectives.
Overlay District: A zoning tool that applies additional regulations to a geographic area already zoned.
Historic District: A delineated area recognized for its historical significance and subject to preservation regulations.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): A procedure to evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed project.

Online Resources

References

National Trust for Historic Preservation, “Preservation Planning.”
“Zoning for Preservation” by the American Planning Association.
Environmental Protection Agency resources on zoning and land use.

Suggested Books for Further Studies

“Preservation Politics” by William M. leech
“Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practice” by Norman Tyler, Ted J. Ligibel, and Ilene R. Tyler
“Land Use Planning and Development Regulation Law” by Julian Conrad Juergensmeyer and Thomas E. Roberts.
“Cityscape: Preserving and Improving the Quality of Urban Life” by Urban Land Institute

Real Estate Basics: Preservation District Fundamentals Quiz

### What is the primary purpose of a preservation district? - [ ] Encourage commercial development - [x] Protect the environmental, historical, or scenic attributes - [ ] Facilitate industrial activities - [ ] Minimize residential housing costs > **Explanation:** The primary purpose of a preservation district is to protect the environmental, historical, or scenic attributes of a designated area. ### Which type of area is NOT typically included in a preservation district? - [ ] Historic districts - [ ] Environmentally sensitive areas - [ ] Scenic landscapes - [x] Industrial zones > **Explanation:** Industrial zones are rarely included in preservation districts, which are focused on protecting areas of historical, environmental, or scenic significance. ### What might property owners in preservation districts need before making significant changes to their property? - [x] Approval from a local planning or preservation committee - [ ] Consent from neighboring property owners - [ ] No additional approval is needed - [ ] Permission from federal authorities only > **Explanation:** Property owners in preservation districts usually need approval from a local planning or preservation committee before making significant changes to ensure compliance with preservation goals. ### Which term is closely related to preservation districts in ensuring land is appropriately used? - [x] Zoning - [ ] Mortgage - [ ] Foreclosure - [ ] Easement > **Explanation:** Zoning is the closest term as it deals with the regulation and restriction of land use within a jurisdiction, including preservation efforts. ### What is a significant characteristic of preservation districts compared to other zoning categories? - [ ] Lesser regulations - [ ] More industrial development - [x] Stricter land use regulations - [ ] Lower property taxes > **Explanation:** Preservation districts are characterized by stricter land use regulations to ensure the protection of the area's attributes. ### Can anyone establish a preservation district without any regulatory approval? - [ ] Yes - [ ] No, but they can start the process alone - [x] No, it requires regulatory approval through community input and planning commissions - [ ] Only federal authorities can establish them > **Explanation:** Establishing a preservation district requires community input and regulatory approval through local planning or preservation commissions. ### How do preservation districts balance conservation and development? - [ ] By encouraging equal development anywhere - [ ] By postponing all development - [x] By enforcing regulations to protect significant areas while allowing controlled growth - [ ] By allowing unrestricted development in preserved areas during certain times > **Explanation:** Preservation districts ensure that significant areas are protected while allowing controlled and regulated growth, balancing conservation and development effectively. ### Which government body primarily oversees the regulations in a preservation district? - [ ] Federal government - [ ] State government - [x] Local planning or preservation committee - [ ] International bodies > **Explanation:** Local planning or preservation committees primarily oversee the regulations in a preservation district. ### What is an example of a preservation area that a city might protect? - [x] Beaches and native flora - [ ] High traffic commercial areas - [ ] Industrial parks - [ ] Sports arenas > **Explanation:** Cities might protect areas such as beaches and native flora to preserve their natural and environmental attributes. ### Which is not a primary focus of preservation districts? - [ ] Environmental conservation - [ ] Historical preservation - [x] Maximizing real estate profits - [ ] Maintaining scenic areas > **Explanation:** The focus of preservation districts is not on maximizing real estate profits but on environmental, historical, and scenic conservation.