DEPARTMENT: Office of Historic Preservation; Development Services Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Shanon Miller, Director; Michael Shannon, Interim Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Potential amendments to the Unified Development Code relating to penalties for demolition without a permit.
SUMMARY:
District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevi?o has submitted a City Council Resolution to establish additional penalties for illegal demolition of historic properties and properties located within Neighborhood Conservation Districts. These changes will require an amendment to Article 4, Procedures, and possible changes to Article VI, Historic Preservation and Urban Design, of the Unified Development Code (UDC).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The UDC outlines a demolition review process for all properties within city limits. As part of the current process, the Office of Historic Preservation reviews each permit application and determines whether the property has a historic designation or is eligible for historic designation. Demolition of a designated historic property requires HDRC approval with proof of an economic hardship or loss of historic significance. For eligible properties that do not currently have a historic designation, the Historic Preservation Officer may forward the property to the HDRC for a Finding of Historic Significance at his / her discretion. This process allows for proper notification and public input regarding demolition requests that impact significant properties and neighborhoods.
Under the UDC, the City may impose penalties for the illegal demolition of historic properties as authorized by state law. Civil penalties for an illegal demolition of a historic property include a requirement to reconstruct the demolished building, denial of all future permits on the property for a 5-year period, and revocation of the contractor's license for a 5-year period. The City may also pursue criminal penalties which could result in a f...
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