Historic Preservation Commission

The Douglasville Historic Preservation Commission has been created pursuant to the Georgia Historic Preservation Act and the Historic Preservation Ordinance establishing the Douglasville Historic Preservation Commission, adopted by the City Council of the City of Douglasville. The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is authorized to exercise all the powers specifically set forth in the Code of the City of Douglasville without prior approval of the City Council except as provided therein.

The Historic Preservation Commission has the authority to adopt rules and standards for:

• The transaction of its business
• Consideration of applications for designations
• Certificates of Appropriateness (COA)

An Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is an appointed body of 5 members who make informed decisions based on the Secretary of Interiors Standards for the restoration, rehabilitation, and repair to properties in the local commercial and residential historic districts. All members must be residents of the City and have demonstrated special interest, experience or education in history, architecture or the preservation of historic resources. These decisions result in the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) which allows the property owners to proceed with approved work.

Hearings

The Historic Preservation Commission meets on an "as needed" basis. Meetings are always announced in advance, and the public is welcome to attend.

Commission Members

Pat Smith

Dennis Connally

Phil Wren

Elaine Pendley-Sears

Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Guidelines are an important component of any community’s historic preservation program. The guidelines were developed to assist in the decision regarding changes within historic areas. They are intended to encourage orderly, creative, and compatible development within historic areas. These Guidelines will illustrate a sensitive and thoughtful approach to historic preservation and cultural resource management in Douglasville.

The Historic District Guidelines apply to exterior changes to buildings within locally designed historic districts.

Interior changes, paint colors, or other minor repairs do not require approval from the Historic Preservation Commission.

The design guidelines, which govern a Certificate of Appropriateness, are derived from the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. The Standards are highlighted on the following page.

General Guidelines

• A property should be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building and its site and environment
• The Historic character of a property should be retained and preserved
• Each property should be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use
  Deteriorated historic features should be repaired then replaced
• Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials should not be used
• Significant archaeological resources affected by a project should be protected and preserved
• New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction should not destroy historic materials that characterize the property
• Maintain mature trees unless the trees are dying dead, diseased or posed a safety hazard to the public or structure
• Maintain existing fences and walls. Traditional fencing materials are wood, masonry, and iron
• Driveways and parking lots should not interrupt the pattern of street trees
• New on-site parking. Loading docks, and ramps required by a new use can be located so they are unobtrusive yet convenient

Douglasville Historic Preservation Guidelines(PDF, 2MB)

If you have questions, call 678-449-3102.

What is a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)?

In accordance with the HPC Ordinance of the City of Douglasville, no major material change in the appearance of the property designated as historic by the City Council, or of a historic, non-historic, or intrusive building, structure, site or object within a designated historic district, shall be made or be permitted to be made by the owner or occupant thereof, unless or until the application for a COA has been submitted to and approved by the Commission. A building permit shall not be issued without a COA approved by the Commission.

A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required when Major work, Demolition, Relocation, and Excavation is planned for property in the Historic District.

A COA is not required for painting over previously painted brick, routine maintenance, landscaping, and interior changes unless the interior changes affect the exterior of the structure.

Make sure to review the Work Project Table located in the Historic Preservation Guidelines to determine if your planned project is major work or just maintenance.

Process for Obtaining a COA

1. Identify proposed exterior alterations to structure or site located in the Historic District or locally designated
2. Visit the Community Development Department at 6701 Church Street Douglasville, GA and/ or contact Chelsea Tubbs the Historic Preservation Clerk at tubbsc@douglasvillega.gov or 678-449-3054.
3. Obtain a COA application packet
4. File COA application with appropriate fees. HPC public hearing will be required (minimum 45-day process)
5. Application reviewed by Staff. If determined the information is complete you will be given a hearing date. If your information is not completed, you will not be given a hearing date and will be required to provide more information
6. Applicant appears at the HPC hearing and presents case. The Commission makes the decision to approve, deny or table the case.
   
   • If approved: you will receive a COA within 48 hours and you can begin work
   • If denied: modify application and resubmit or appeal the decision of the Commission
   • If tabled: your case will be heard at the next available meeting date

COA Application Packet

COA Application Packet includes:

• City of Douglasville Historic Preservation Guidelines
• Historic District Map
• COA Application

Fee Schedule

• Minor Change or Ordinary Maintenance: No Fee
• Certificate of Appropriateness (Major Changes): $100
• Amendment to a Certificate of Appropriateness: $25