The Haggard Park Heritage District (HPHD) was designated in 1999 as the city’s first local heritage district. The district’s existing design guidelines were developed later that year, updated in 2002, and formally adopted by City Council in 2012. Since then, ongoing redevelopment and rehabilitation work and a mix of new infill construction within the HPHD, as well as a lack of helpful graphics or illustrations to accompany the existing text, have spurred the need to update the existing design guidelines. The proposed update to the HPHD Design Standards is the culmination of over ten months of research and refinement, created through conversations and meetings with neighborhood residents and property owners, the stakeholder committee, and the Heritage Commission. With the assistance from experienced consultants who have completed similar design standards for several other historic districts across the country, these standards promote rehabilitation and redevelopment that is sensitive to the surrounding historical context and protects the historical integrity of HPHD. The incorporation of colored illustrations, photos, and other graphics to visually depict the intent of the Design Standards will be significantly more user-friendly for property owners in the district; and new elements, such as energy efficiency strategies, non-contributing structures, non-residential buildings, new compatible materials and technologies, and backyard cottages will bring the program in line with the industry’s best practices.
The HPHD Design Standards are organized into eight chapters that apply to different types of projects. While some chapters apply to all projects, others are only relevant to specific requests. An applicability chart is provided on Page 33 of the Design Standards document to assist property owners in identifying the chapters which pertain to their project.
- Chapter 1: Using the Design Standards
This chapter provides a brief history of HPHD, describes the basic preservation principles and strategy with overall design review system, explains which chapters apply to individual projects, and defines key terms and components that are associated with the Design Standards.
- Chapter 2: Understanding Neighborhood Character and Architectural Style
This chapter outlines the important neighborhood characteristics and typical character-defining features of a historic building. Additionally, it provides a graphical stylistic guide of existing architectural styles in HPHD. The guide will help in designing new compatible structures.
- Chapter 3: Maintenance Standards for Historic Properties
This chapter presents detailed guidance for maintenance and preservation related treatment for historic properties. It addresses building details, site elements, materials, non-contributing structures, and other essential components.
- Chapter 4: Design Standards for New Construction (Primary Buildings)
This chapter provides detailed guidance for designing new infill primary structures and describes ways to make the new construction appear compatible with the existing historic buildings in HPHD.
- Chapter 5: Design Standards for Additions
This chapter provides guidance for designing compatible additions to existing historic buildings within the district.
- Chapter 6: Design Standards for Outbuildings and Backyard Cottages
This chapter outlines guidance for outbuildings including maintenance of existing outbuildings and new construction of accessory buildings. Additionally, this chapter includes standards for designing backyard cottages within the district.
- Chapter 7: Design Standards for Public Spaces and Haggard Park
This chapter presents guidance for various elements related to the existing Haggard Park, including signage and lighting.
- Chapter 8: Signage and Miscellaneous Standards
This chapter addresses sign design and placement and other miscellaneous topics pertaining to building/site design such as energy efficiency, accessibility, utilities, lighting, and moving of historic structures.
This project was funded in part by a $26,450 grant from the Texas Historical Commission. The Heritage Commission recommended approval (7-0).