The Fisher Park Historic District is one of three local historic districts in Greensboro. The other two are Aycock (east of the RR tracks at Church Street) and College Hill (near UNC-Greensboro).
Click to see a map of the Fisher Park neighborhood and the smaller Historic District within. The bold black line indicates our entire neighborhood. The light blue tinted area is the smaller Historic District within the neighborhood.
Who owned your home originally? Thanks to data entry by Russ Clegg (of Magnolia Street) we we have a list of the original owners of many homes in the Fisher Park Historic District! The list is sorted by street name then street number. If you have evidence of even more accurate information, or questions about the information, please communicate your information or questions to City of Greensboro Historic District staff, Mike Cowhig at 373-2755 or Stefan-leih Geary at 412-6300.
Major sections of all three Historic Districts are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and many individual "contributing structures" (houses and buildings that meet the National Register's criteria) are also listed on the National Register.
Greensboro's local Historic Districts are governed by specific ordinances and guidelines that define what kinds of exterior work and landscaping may be done in the districts. The intent of these ordinances is to preserve the historic character of the neighborhoods, prevent contributing structures from being destroyed, and prevent historic architectural features from being lost during exterior remodeling. The ordinances do not restrict interior renovations.
Where Can I Find Local Historic District Guidelines?
The Historic District Design Guidelines are available from Greensboro's department of Housing and Community Development (373-2349) and can be downloaded in PDF format from the HCD web site.
If you're new in the neighborhood, thinking about moving here, or are considering undertaking new exterior construction or renovation, please take time now to read the Guidelines. They are not complicated or burdensome. The neighborhood Board and the City support the Guidelines. Time spent looking over Historic District Guidelines up front saves you a great deal of time and expense rather than later finding your plans don't meet the Guidelines.
What's The Process?
2) Plan your project and get free advice from Mike Cowhig or Stefan-leih Geary at 373.2144. They administer Greensboro's local Historic District Program. . They are knowledgeable and eager to help.
3) Preview a document with examples of work that may not require pre-approval, work that requires only City Historic District Staff approval, and work that absolutely requires Historic District Commission approval. These are only examples yet help you plan and set realiztic expectations.
4) Get FREE historic district design advice from knowledgeable volunteers on a Design Review Committee. To request or confirm a meeting time/date call Mike Cowhig or Stefan-leih Geary at 373-2144.
5) If your request requires approval by either City Historic District Staff or the Historic Preservation Commission, submit an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness (CoA). Obtain an application from the City Housing and Community Development Department at 373-2144 or download it from their web site. http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=5381
Currently, there is no application fee. City Historic District Staff review applications daily. If your request requires Historic Preservation Commission approval, the Historic Preservation Commission reviews all applications on the last Wednesday of every month, and your application must be submitted two weeks before that meeting. Make sure your application is clear and detailed (site plans, elevation drawings, material specifications, etc.) so that the Commission understands exactly what your project involves. If they can't figure out what you're trying to do, your project may be delayed.
6) It is recommended that you attend the monthly Fisher Park neighborhood Board meeting. The neighborhood Board of Directors reviews all CoA applications then makes recommendations about them to the Historic Preservation Commission. The Board is there to help you through the process and remind you of items/issues you'll need to address before the Historic Preservation Commission meeting a few days later. The neighborhood Board appreciates your investment in the neighborhood and when your project meets local Historic District Guidelines, the Board can support your project in front of the Historic Preservation Commission. (See our neighborhood's news/events calendar for neighborhood Board and Historic Preservation Commission meeting dates/times.)
7) Attend the Historic Preservation Commission meeting. This meeting is on the last Wednesday of the month at 4:00 pm in City Council Chambers, Melvin Municipal Building (City Hall). Usually the commissioners will do everything they can, within the Guidelines, to help your project. But if you're not there to explain your project, or if they have significant questions about it, your project may be continued until the next month's Historic Preservation Commission meeting. Your prior preparation and communication efforts significantly speed your project.
8) Receive your large green Certificate of Appropriateness (CoA) card, display it in your window when you begin your work, and keep it visible to the public throughout your work. Keeping your CoA card visible assures neighbors you have properly obtained a CoA for your work and eliminates many neighbor questions and phone calls to Greensboro's Historic District office.
Routine Work and Staff Approval
Many routine projects, such as painting your house, minor exterior repairs and landscaping, tree trimming or removal of absolutely dead trees, and reroofing with the same materials as before, do not require that your application go before the Historic Preservation Commission. Many CoAs can be issued by City Historict District Staff and usually arrive within a few days of your application, but you still must submit an application and receive approval prior to beginning your proposed project.
What Happens If I Don't Get a CoA?
City zoning enforcement officers will probably order you to stop work until a CoA is issued. Fines or penalties can be levied for failure to comply. If, for example, you were to cut down a healthly tree without a CoA, the City may require you to replace the tree with a comparable tree and pay a fine.
By following the cost free steps above, you'll eliminate any such concerns. Thanks to all who participate in the process!
