Fayetteville currently has five designated historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).  This type of designation places no obligations on private property owners to preserve or protect existing structures.

The Fayetteville Historic District Commission would like to receive community input on options to encourage more robust preservation of historic structures in the Washington-Willow neighborhood.  

The City of Fayetteville Historic District Commission exists to promote the preservation and protection of places of historic interest. The Commission welcomes your input through this survey tool or at their bi-monthly meetings.

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* 1. Do you own property within the Washington-Willow Historic District?

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* 2. How do you feel about the following activities in your neighborhood:

  Very negative Somewhat negative Neutral Somewhat positive Very positive I do not notice this in my neighborhood
Demolition of existing homes
Changes in scale of new homes (compared to older ones)
Changes in style of new homes (compared to older ones)
Level of maintenance of older homes

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* 3. The Fayetteville Historic District Commission is looking into two different possible options to encourage preservation of historic structures. Please read the descriptions of each option below and then indicate if you’d like to see either option applied to your neighborhood:

Local Ordinance Historic District
In a Locally Designated Historic District, most exterior work must first receive a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before changes are made. Changes requiring a COA could include: additions, demolitions, new construction, signage, streetscape features, and rehabilitation / restoration projects. An appointed historic commission would review plans for compliance with adopted standards for the district. Local districts may only be created by an ordinance passed by the Fayetteville City Council. It is up to each district to create appropriate standards for homes. Demolition of historic properties can be prohibited within a Local District.

Design Overlay District
A Design Overlay District uses the City’s zoning powers to conserve and protect the historic character of a neighborhood through the creation of design guidelines. Design guidelines may regulate issues such as building size, placement, style, or other features but may not be used to prohibit demolition. The overlay district is more focused on new development than preservation or demolition of existing properties.

For your own neighborhood, what would you prefer?

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* 4. Arkansas law prohibits the creation of a Historic District that does not have the same boundary as a National Register District, unless a majority of property owners demonstrate support. A petition signed by 51% of homeowners would be necessary to create a Local Ordinance Historic District (described above).

Would you consider signing a petition requesting the creation of a Local Ordinance Historic District with appropriate standards for your neighborhood?

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