COMMENT OF THE DAY: HISTORIC PRESERVATION, DALLAS STYLE “. . . Conservation Districts have existed in the city of Dallas since 1988. These districts exist primarily in East Dallas and Oak Cliff.(which are areas primarily developed before 1940) They concentrate on protecting such things as architecture styles, densities of the area, heights of structures, and setback guidelines. The process to become a conservation district typically takes 12 – 18 months from the initial authorizing of a study until the adoption by the city council. These districts are similar to and often compared with historic districts. While exhibiting comparable characteristics, the two are quite different. Historic Districts look to preserve the original structure exactly as when it was first built. They also attempt to preserve original materials, colors, styles, and other elements of the original structure. Conservation districts wish to maintain certain standards of an area. . . .” [JT, commenting on The Woods Back Off: Freeland Bungalow Free To Be Sold Again]
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Considering it takes about 6-7 years and a ton of paperwork to get a street re-paved, maybe I should ask for my STREET to get historic preservation designation.
I lived in an area of Dallas that was a conservation district. You could not even change the color of your front door without seeking prior approval. If you wanted to erect a new fence, it had to be wood only, height not to exceed 4 feet, and keep a consistent look and feel of the neighborhood. This saved home after home from builders entering the neighborhood to build a McMansion.
sounds horrible. texas cities are mediocre compared to more worldy cities and to make up for it they should be very dynamic. this isn’t paris and very little of this city should be preserved in the same form it was originally built. i think only things that are uniquely “htown” should be preserved.
Actually it is a nice idea. One neighborhood has one of the largest intact collection of Tudor cottages from the 1920s and 1930s in the country. Another has Arts and Crafts style homes etc…..The difference is there are very few non residential structures in the neighborhoods
and the areas do not have the level of deterioration so often found in Houston. I don’t know how anyone could compare Texas to Europe but if the criterion for preservation is what is uniquely “htown” you better tell Mayor White to save all the strip clubs and adult bookstores and refiniries along the Ship Channel.
Joe, why do you think Texas cities are mediocre? Especially Houston? I’ll tell you why….NO PRESERVATION. If we had left things alone maybe we could by dynamic too.