Tempe Preservation assists owners in the
preservation and restoration of their properties.
Historic Preservation provides protection for
significant properties and archeological sites which
represent important aspects of Tempe's heritage and
enhances the character of the community by taking such
properties and sites into account during development.
Reasonable and fair regulations are included in the
Tempe Historic Preservation Ordinance as a means of
balancing the rights of property owners and the value to
the community of these significant properties and
sites. It is the intent of the city to make ownership
of a landmark, historic property or property within an
historic district as beneficial as possible. In addition
to the intangible benefits of owning a property
recognized as an important community resource, staff and
commission can assist:
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with technical information and referrals;
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with locating sources of financial assistance and
tax credits;
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with preparing grant applications and potential
third party sponsorship;
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with locating buyers or sellers for historic
properties;
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with
obtaining other benefits as may become available
(Ord. No. 95.35, 11-9-95).
The
Tempe Historic Preservation Program dates to 1994, when
an Ad Hoc Historic Preservation Commission first met to
consider drafting an ordinance. They established a
mission statement – to protect and enhance Tempe's
heritage while preserving the unique identity of our
community.
Historic Preservation Commission
officially established by ordinance in 1995, the
volunteer Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the
city council in all matters concerning historic
preservation. The Commission makes recommendations to
the Development Review Commission regarding designation
of landmarks, historic properties and historic
districts. Commission meetings are open to the public
and are usually held on the second Thursday of each
month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hatton Hall, 34 East 7th
Street, in Downtown Tempe. Links to the City Clerk's
Office web pages:
Historic Preservation Office
also
established in 1995, the office provides professional
support to City Departments and to the Commission, to
process applications for designations and proposed
alterations, new construction, demolition or removal of
designated historic properties, and to provide
assistance to the public. The City of Tempe is a
Certified Local Government, in association with the
United States Department of the Interior National Park
Service.
City staff at
the Historic Preservation Office can be contacted
directly as follows: Amy Douglass, Museum Administrator
480.350.5105
amy_douglass@tempe.gov;
E. Hunter
Hansen, Planner 480.350.8763
hansen1@tempe.gov;
Billy Kiser, Intern 480.350.8970
billy_kiser@tempe.gov;
Chris Messer, Principal Planner 480.350.8562
chris_messer@tempe.gov;
Joe Nucci, Historic Preservation Officer 480.350.8870
joe_nucci@tempe.gov;
John Southard, Intern 480.350.8970
john_southard@tempe.gov;
Mark Vinson, City Architect 480.350.8367
mark_vinson@tempe.gov
Historic Preservation Ordinance
Chapter 14A of the Tempe City Code is the enabling
legislation behind the Tempe Historic Preservation
Program. Adopted in 1995, the purpose of the ordinance
is to provide protection for significant properties and
archeological sites which represent important aspects of
Tempe's heritage; to enhance the character of the
community by taking such properties and sites into
account during development; and to assist owners in the
preservation and restoration of their historic
properties. Reasonable and fair regulations are
provided as a means of balancing the rights of property
owners and the value to the community of preserving
significant properties and sites. Historic designation
of a property or district does not inhibit uses
permitted by the Zoning and Development Code.
Tempe Historic Property Register
as an
expression of civic pride Mayor and Council unanimously
adopted Ordinance 95.35 creating the Tempe Historic
Property Register in November, 1995. The Tempe Historic
Property Register is the official city list of
historically, culturally and visually significant
buildings, structures, landmarks, districts, and
archaeological sites in Tempe that have undergone the
process of historic designation provided for their
protection by Tempe City Code. It is the intent of the
city to make historic property ownership as beneficial
as possible. In addition to the intangible benefits of
owning a property recognized as an important community
resource, Tempe Preservation provides owners with
assistance in locating potential sources of financial
assistance and tax credits; assistance in preparing
grant applications and potential third party
sponsorship; technical information and referrals; and
assistance in obtaining other benefits available through
a range of City, State, and Federal historic
preservation programs.
CITY OF TEMPE
