Are Historic Districts Necessary?
The prospect of higher property values have caused many residents to form historic districts, though questions arise as to the actual historic significance of the neighborhoods.
"As the real-estate market begins to cool, a growing number of homeowners are seeking to boost their property values by getting their neighborhoods designated as historic districts.
Local historic districts, which can trigger regulations on everything from window repair to demolitions, are proliferating across the United States. But the desire for historic designation has some communities touting characteristics with questionable preservation value. Homeowners in Denver say their neighborhood deserves historic designation because it is an early example of large front lawns. A Phoenix subdivision is seeking historic status because it says its ranch homes were the first in the city with central air conditioning."
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Maybe?
I have dealt with this issue myself and feel that the designation of a locale as a historic district does tend to be rather abritary and subject to the whims of the times. I think that top-down government imposed historic districts (one's where the property owners are told they will be in one) should not exist. If we are to have historic districts, then it should be somethin intitated by 100% of the property owners, though, in general, I am against usch districts.