Perhaps the most daunting aspect of beginning work with a historic site is diving into the necessary legal and municipal processes that govern what can and cannot be done with significant properties. Though it can seem challenging to understand all of the small details or terms used in the official codes, they are specifically laid out to give guidance to both the governing body and the private citizens that use them to efficiently do work in the city. A significant way that they do this is by providing legislation for the protection, preservation, and reuse of historical sites that fall under certain prerequisites. If the site does meet the standards, it may receive designation as a local historic landmark.
The historic McClennan County Courthouse in downtown Waco, Texas. Source: Texas Collection, Baylor University Creator: Fred R. Gildersleeve
According to the City of Waco’s Municipal Code, there are certain qualifications and qualities that a property must have to be designated as a historic landmark. The specific section cited below shows the key criteria that the city’s commission considers in an application.
Sec. 28-1139. – Designation of historic landmarks.
(a) A site may be designated as a historic landmark if any of the following applies:
(1) It possesses significance with respect to history, culture, architecture, archeology, paleontology, or as a natural site with a demonstrable cultural association;
(2) It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local, regional, state, national or international history;
(3) It is associated with the lives of persons significant in local, regional, state, national or international history;
(4) It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction;
(5) It represents the work of a master designer, builder, or craftsman; or
(6) It represents a distinctive and familiar visual feature of the city.
To start an application, the City of Waco Citizen Self Service website has the necessary forms to complete and submit to the City of Waco Planning Services Department under which the Historic Landmark Preservation Commission falls. Be sure to research your property in-depth and provide photos and documentation about its historical significance to support the reasoning for designation. Include current photos of the property as well to present its current structures and conditions. From there, a hearing will be scheduled to review the documents and deny or approve the application.