OVERVIEW
The City of Greenville, North Carolina is working to refresh its Historic District and Local Landmark Design Standards to better serve the community and reflect current best practices. Originally developed in 2014, these standards are being updated to align with North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 160D and the City's Unified Development Ordinance and Horizons 2026: Greenville's Community Plan.
This project will enhance the existing guidelines to create a more user-friendly resource for both property owners and City staff. The refreshed standards will include clearer language, local photographs, helpful diagrams, and practical guidance on appropriate materials and treatments for historic properties. Improvements will focus on making terminology more accessible, adding visual elements to illustrate key concepts, and providing guidance on alternative materials that balance preservation standards with practical considerations.
The improved standards will better serve everyone involved: City staff and the Historic Preservation Commission will have updated standards for reviewing applications and issuing Certificates of Appropriateness, while property owners will have access to a clearer educational resource that helps them understand appropriate approaches for maintaining their historic properties. Through community input sessions and collaborative engagement, the project will ensure the final standards reflect both preservation principles and the real-world needs of Greenville's historic property owners.
PROJECT PURPOSE
The City of Greenville's Historic District and Local Landmark Design Standards, last updated in 2014, need to be refreshed to reflect important changes in state and local regulations. Key reasons for this update include:
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Regulatory compliance - North Carolina has enacted General Statutes Chapter 160D since the guidelines were last updated
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Local alignment - The City is developing a new Unified Development Ordinance that requires consistency with historic standards
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User accessibility - Current guidelines would benefit from clearer language and better visual aids to make them easier to understand
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Practical guidance - Property owners need more helpful information about appropriate materials and treatments for historic properties
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Decision-making support - City staff and the Historic Preservation Commission need updated standards for reviewing applications and issuing Certificates of Appropriateness
This comprehensive update will ensure the standards remain effective tools for preserving Greenville's historic character while serving the practical needs of the community.
General Statutes Chapter 160D
North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 160D is a state law that went into effect in 2020 to update and streamline how cities and counties regulate building and development. It's the first major update to these rules in decades.
The law includes 14 sections covering everything from planning and zoning to building codes and appeals processes, giving local governments a complete set of tools to manage growth and development in their communities in a consistent, fair way.
HISTORIC DISTRICTS
Local Landmark Designation
Local Landmark designation is a community honor that recognizes historically significant properties, with North Carolina offering a 50% property tax deferral to owners who maintain their property's historic character. The designation process involves submitting an application, evaluation by the Historic Preservation Commission's Selection Committee, preparation of a detailed research report, and final approval from City Council after review by state preservation officials.
Greenville's Historic Districts
Greenville's primary focus for historic preservation centers on the College View Local Historic District, which was established in 1994 and encompasses approximately 31 blocks consisting primarily of single-family and duplex residences. This district also holds National Historic Register District status, having received federal recognition in 1992, making it both locally protected and nationally recognized for its historical significance.
The city also maintains four additional National Historic Register Districts that complement the local preservation efforts. These federal designations provide honorary recognition by the NC State Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service for properties with special significance in terms of its historical, prehistorical, architectural, or cultural importance.
Local Landmarks
Beyond the College View district, Greenville has designated 33 individual properties as local landmarks, with 4 of these also listed on the National Register. Learn more about the local landmarks here.
National Register Context
While National Register designation provides honorary federal recognition and potential tax credits, the Historic Preservation Commission has no authority over these properties.
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PROJECT
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