What is a historic district?
A historic district is a group of buildings that has been designated on the National Register of Historic Places as a historically or architecturally significant area.
What is a historic landmark?
A historic landmark is a historic property that illustrates the heritage of the United States and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This can take the form of a building, district, object, site, or structure.
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. It is part of the National Park Service’s program to protect historic and archaeological resources under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
What are the benefits of listing a historic district in the National Register?
When a Historic District is designated in the National Register, it contributes to preserving those historic properties in the following ways:
- Recognition that a property has historic or cultural significance to the community.
- Consideration in planning for Federal, Federally licensed, and Federally assisted projects.
- Eligibility for Federal tax provisions (this applies more to commercial and some rental residential buildings)
- Qualification for Federal assistance for historic preservation when funds are available.
What is a contributing structure?
A contributing structure is any building within the district which adds to the historical integrity or architectural qualities that make the district significant.
How are contributing structures determined?
Contributing structures are evaluated based on significance, age, and integrity.
- Significance: Is the property associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of Cheyenne’s history? Is it associated with the lives of persons significant in Cheyenne’s past? Does it embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction?
- Age and Integrity: Is the property at least 50 years old? Does it still look much the way it did in the past?
Are there restrictions on contributing structures in historic districts?
To demolish or move the structure, the property owner will need to obtain approval from the Cheyenne Historic Preservation Board. In addition to this, the Board encourages property owners to review the proposed Demolition by Neglect Ordinance at cheyennecity.org/chpb as this will pertain to historic properties.
What is a Certificate of Appropriateness and when is it required?
A Certificate of Appropriateness is a document approving new construction, significant alteration, or improvements for any property located within the Governor’s Mansion Protective Area (the area from 22nd St. on the north, 20th St. on the south, Evans on the east, and House on the west).
How can a property owner obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness?
An applicant can fill out the Certificate of Appropriateness Application on the Planning and Development webpage. Within 21 days of the application submittal, the Cheyenne Historic Preservation Board will hold a public hearing to review the proposal. The applicant can attend the public hearing and speak on their proposal. After the close of the public hearing, the Board will either approve, approve with conditions, deny, or postpone action on the application.