CLG Reference Center

Webinar Series: Building a Strong Preservation Program

This series is designed to help Historic Preservation Officers, Main Street Managers, Landmark Commissioners, and others learn about historic preservation best practices at the local level.

The trainings are intended to be watched in order. To view the videos and their corresponding handouts, click the buttons below.

Part 1: Protection by Designation

The first training in the Building A Strong Preservation Program series defines the different historic designations at the federal, state, and local level. Attendees will also learn about the local designation process for historic landmarks and local historic districts.

Handouts for Part 1: Protection By Designation

Part 2: Historic Preservation Ordinance

The second part of the Building A Strong Preservation Program webinar series will focus on drafting a strong Preservation Ordinance. Attendees will learn the key components of a Preservation Ordinance and how the Ordinance can impact local preservation efforts.

Handouts for Part 2: Historic Preservation Ordinance 

Part 3: Design Guidelines & Standards

The third part of the Building A Strong Preservation Program webinar series will focus on creating design guidelines and how they can be used in the design review process. Attendees will learn the who ,what, when, where, why of design guidelines and see how several cities in Texas utilize them.

Handouts for Part 3: Design Guidelines & Standards 

Part 4: Certificate of Appropriateness Review

The fourth part of the Building A Strong Preservation Program webinar series will focus on how to utilized your City’s Preservation tools to conduct Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) Reviews. Attendees will learn about the different types of COA reviews and how to conduct them. They will learn how to apply their City’s Ordinance and Design Guidelines and Standards when reviewing applications for demolition, new construction, alterations, and modifications to historic buildings in their cities and districts.

Handouts for Part 4: Certificate of Appropriateness Review

Part 5: Preservation Incentives

The fifth part of the Building A Strong Preservation Program webinar series will explore a few of the most popular incentives for preservation, including the federal and state rehabilitation tax credit, local tax exemptions for rehabilitation, and façade grants. Explained through Main Street and CLG case studies, attendees will gain a better understanding of how incentives can encourage quality preservation projects.

Handouts for Part 5: Preservation Incentives

Part 6: Interpreting the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation

The sixth part of the Building A Strong Preservation Program webinar series will focus on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Developed by the National Park Service, the Standards guide decisions about the appropriate maintenance, repair, and alteration of historic properties. Most historic preservation ordinances reference the Standards as criteria for ruling on Certificates of Appropriateness, so a thorough understanding of the Standards and their interpretation can enhance local preservation efforts.

Handouts for Part 6: Interpreting the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation


 

Design Standards and Guidelines

Certificates of Appropriateness are based off of the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The standards are listed on the National Park Service's website. The guidelines help communities interpret the standards. 

The Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation

Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings

Historic Resource Criteria and Survey

The criteria used to locally designate historic resources are typically based on the criteria used for the National Register of Historic Places. CLG communities are also expected to keep an inventory of historic properties designated at the federal, state, and local level. 

National Register of Historic Places

Historic American Building Survey/Historic American Engineering Record/Historic American Landscape Survey

Preservation Law

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended

Laws, Executive Orders & Regulations

Law and the Historic Preservation Commission: What Every Member Needs to Know

Technical Assistance

Technical Preservation Services

Preservation Briefs

Education and Outreach

Many local historic preservation boards and commissions are charged with educating their communities about the benefits of historic preservation. Education and outreach leads to a better understanding and appreciation of preservation. 

More about Certified Local Government

Working on the Past in Local Historic Districts

Teaching with Historic Places

National & State Organizations

Advisory Council for Historic Preservation

Preservation Action

National Center for Preservation Training and Technology

National Association of Preservation Commissions

National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers

Preservation Texas 

Texas Downtown Association

 

In addition to these resources, staff of CLG communities have access to the CLG listserv. The listserv is managed by the Texas Historical Commission, and allows historic preservation officers and CLG representatives to ask questions, discuss common issues, and share information. Please contact the state coordinator, Kelly Little or call at 512.463.7812 if you are a historic preservation officer or work in administering your CLG's preservation program of would like to be added to the listserv.