What is the purpose of historic preservation?
Increasingly in South Florida, historic and cultural resources are threatened by destruction due to rapid growth in population and ensuing development. The purpose of historic preservation is to safeguard a community's heritage and protect its historical resources by integrating the past with the present and the future.
Why is historic preservation important to the community?
Historic resources are the non-renewable visible remains of the past. Once lost, they can never be replaced. The preservation and maintenance of historic resources result in a community's sense of stewardship for present and future generations. The City of Homestead is committed to retaining its historic integrity through community planning, development, and preservation.
How is the historic preservation program in the City of Homestead implemented?
The City of Homestead enacted a Historic Preservation Ordinance in 1985 creating the Homestead Historic Preservation Board and establishing rules of procedure, which allow the Board to carry out the provisions of the Ordinance. The Historic Preservation Board serves as the advisory board to the City Council. The nine-member Board designates, regulates, and administers historical, archaeological and architectural resources in Homestead as prescribed under the direct jurisdiction and legislative control of the City Council. The Board is composed of civilians with a dedicated interest in the City of Homestead, particularly historic preservation.
What is historic designation?
Historic designation is the formal process by which properties and local historic features with significant contribution to Homestead's history are nominated historic. Local historic designation is achieved through the combined efforts of property owners, the Homestead Historic Preservation Board, and City Staff.
What determines the historic significance of a property?
Historic significance is determined by various factors. Generally, a property is considered to be historically significant if it fulfills one or more of the following criteria:
1. Property is at least 50 years old. 2. Property possesses distinctive elements, which illustrate the cultural, social, political, economic, scientific, religious, prehistoric and architectural history of the City. 3. Is associated with the lives of persons significant to the City's past. 4. Embodies distinctive characteristics of a type, period, style or method of construction or work of a master; or possess high artistic value, or represents a distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction. 5. Property has yielded, or is likely to yield information in history or prehistory.
How is the designation process initiated?
The designation process may be initiated by the Homestead Historic Preservation Board, by City Staff recommendation, or by petition of the property owner to the Board.
Are repairs or changes to historic properties allowed?
Repairs and changes to historic properties are allowed. Owners must complete an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness and present it to the Board for approval when making any changes that impact the structural appearance of their historic property.
What restrictions will apply if my property is designated?
All alterations or improvements to the exterior of the property for which a building permit must be issued will require prior review by the Historic Preservation Board to determine its impact on the historic integrity of the property. Building permits for changes to the exterior of designated structures are contingent upon Board approval. Board approval is documented by the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness.
What is a Certificate of Appropriateness?
A Certificate of Appropriateness is an application that is filed by the property owner with the Board for approval of changes to the exterior of their historic structure. Approval of the application is required prior to the approval/issuance of a building permit.
What are the benefits of local historic designation?
The City of Homestead enacted an ordinance authorizing ad-valorem tax exemptions for historic properties. Additionally, designation may assist a property owner to become eligible for certain Federal tax incentives (e.g. rehabilitation tax credit), or compete for Federal or State grant funds.
Does the amount of assessed property taxes increase after local historic designation?
No. Local historic designation bears no impact on determining property taxes.
Does local historic designation improve property value?
National trends have indicated that historic designation programs have contributed to increases in property values. In residential areas, buyers acknowledge and prefer the unique character afforded to the neighborhood by the preserved historic properties.
When and where are regular meetings of the Homestead Historic Preservation Board held?
The Board normally meets the last Wednesday of each month at 4:30PM. Meetings are held in Council Chambers of City Hall. Please call (305) 224-4487 for confirmed meeting dates and time, or to request a meeting agenda.
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