The Planning Department recommends approval of award for consultant services to Post Oak Preservation Solutions, LLC for the update of the Haggard Park Heritage District design standards in the amount of $67,500.
The Haggard Park Heritage District (HPHD) was designated in 1999 as the City of Plano’s first heritage district. The HPHD is primarily a residential neighborhood with approximately 134 heritage resources (90 primary structures and 44 accessory buildings) ranging from the late 1800s to the early 1960s. Anchored by Haggard Park and occupying approximately 42 acres immediately west of Downtown, the district includes one of Plano’s oldest neighborhoods and boasts some of the city’s most historically and architecturally significant homes. The residential structures reflect a wide variety of sizes, forms, and architectural styles and also display a variety of building materials.
Both the Heritage Commission and the heritage property owners in the district have requested an update of the existing design guidelines developed in 1999, including revised language for clear interpretation, incorporating graphic illustrations, and bringing the program in line with new trends, best practices, and consistency with the recently updated Downtown Heritage District Design Standards (2015). The Downtown standards have proven very effective and user-friendly for property owners, businesses, developers, and staff.
The scope of the project includes a robust communications and outreach program to property owners, businesses, and residents in the district and multiple drafts for public review. Approval of the updated standards will require a recommendation from the Heritage Commission and final approval by the City Council. Upon successful adoption, the project would provide the following benefits:
- A basis for making consistent decisions about the appropriateness of exterior improvements that are subject to Certificate of Appropriateness (CA) approvals in the City’s design review process.
- An educational and planning tool for property owners and design professionals.
- Allow staff and the Heritage Commission to effectively evaluate CA applications, shape local preservation ordinances, and build partnerships within the community.
- Efficient implementation of the City of Plano’s Heritage Preservation program.
The project was solicited through a request for proposal with the City of Plano Purchasing Department to secure an experienced consultant to develop the HPHD Design Standards. There were two proposals submitted for consideration and evaluation by a staff committee. Post Oak Preservation Solutions, LLC was ultimately selected due to their collective experience with guidelines for historical residential districts, qualifications of the project team, the quality and design of previous work, and the comparative value of the bids. It was a unanimous decision among the staff committee members.
The HPHD Design Standards update project will be partly funded by a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant from Texas Historical Commission.
If the project is not approved, the current Haggard Park Heritage District Design Guidelines would stay intact. This situation is problematic as it reduces effectiveness of customer service to the residents, businesses, and property owners situated within the HPHD due to outdated, and at times unclear, stipulations and would compromise the integrity and administration of the City of Plano’s Heritage Preservation program.