§ 16-20.004. Categories of protection.

(a)

Establishment of Categories: There shall be five (5) categories of protection for historic properties in the City of Atlanta, as follows:

(1)

Landmark Building or Site;

(2)

Historic Building or Site;

(3)

Landmark District;

(4)

Historic District; and

(5)

Conservation District.

(b)

Criteria: The criteria to be applied to determine whether any building, site or district qualifies for inclusion into a category of protection for historic properties established by this part shall be as follows:

(1)

Minimum eligibility criteria: At a minimum, all Landmark Buildings, Sites and Districts, Historic Buildings, Sites and Districts, and Conservation Districts shall be determined by the commission to be architecturally, historically or culturally significant and eligible for protection if they possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association, and:

a.

Are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or

b.

Are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or

c.

Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or

d.

Have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.

(2)

Individual category criteria: A building, site or district shall additionally meet the following criteria for that category of protection to which it is nominated:

a.

Landmark Building or Site: A Landmark Building or Site is one of exceptional importance to the city, state or nation and whose demolition would represent an irreparable loss to the city. A Landmark Building or Site shall meet the criteria specified within at least one (1) of the following three (3) groups:

(i)

Group I: Historic significance: Each Landmark Building or Site qualifying under this group must meet at least one (1) of the following criteria:

1.

A building or site closely associated with the life or work of a person of exceptionally high significance to the city, the state or the nation.

2.

A building or site associated with an extremely important historical event, or trend of national, state or local significance.

3.

A building or site associated with an extremely important cultural pattern or social, economic or ethnic group in the history of the city, the state or the nation.

(ii)

Group II: Architectural significance: Each Landmark Building or Site qualifying must meet at least five (5) of the following criteria:

1.

A building or site that clearly dominates or is strongly identified with a street scene or the urban landscape.

2.

A building or site which is the work of an exceptionally important master architect or builder.

3.

A building or site which is an exceptionally fine example of a style or period of construction that is typical of the City of Atlanta.

4.

A building or site which is an example of a style that is extremely rare in the City of Atlanta.

5.

A building or site which is an example of an exceptionally fine unique style or building type.

6.

A building or site whose design possesses exceptionally high artistic values.

7.

A building or site whose design exhibits exceptionally high quality craftsmanship.

8.

A building or site associated with an exceptionally significant technology or method of construction, including the use of materials in a significant way.

9.

A building or site which has an exceptionally high degree of integrity.

10.

A building or site which has virtually all character-defining elements intact.

11.

A building or site whose original site orientation is maintained.

(iii)

Group III: Cultural significance: Each Landmark Building or Site qualifying under this group must meet at least one (1) of the following criteria and at least three (3) other individual criteria from group I or II above:

1.

A building or site that has served at a major, city-wide scale as a focus of activity, a gathering spot, or other specific point of reference in the urban fabric of the city.

2.

A building or site by its location is broadly known or recognized by residents throughout the city.

3.

A building or site which clearly conveys a sense of time and place and about which one has an exceptionally good ability to interpret the historic character of the resource.

b.

Historic Building or Site: An Historic Building or Site is one that is close to a Landmark Building or Site in importance, but lacks some of the exceptional qualities of a Landmark. An Historic Building or Site shall meet the criteria specified within at least one (1) of the following three (3) groups:

(i)

Group I: Historic significance: Each Historic Building or Site qualifying under this group must meet at least one (1) of the following criteria:

1.

A building or site associated with the life or work of a person of moderately high significance to the city, the state or the nation.

2.

A building or site associated with a moderately important historical event or trend of national, state or local significance.

3.

A building or site associated with a moderately important cultural pattern or social, economic or ethnic group in the history of the city, the state or the nation.

(ii)

Group II: Architectural significance:

1.

A building or site that strongly influences or is identified with a street scene or the urban landscape.

2.

A building or site which is the work of a recognized master architect or builder.

3.

A building or site which is a very good example of a style or period of construction that is typical of the City of Atlanta.

4.

A building or site which is an example of a style that is rare in the City of Atlanta.

5.

A building or site which is an example of a very good unique style or building type.

6.

A building or site whose design possesses very high artistic values.

7.

A building or site whose design exhibits very high quality craftsmanship.

8.

A building or site associated with a very significant technology or method of construction, including the use of materials in a very significant way.

9.

A building or site which has a moderately high degree of integrity.

10.

A building or site which has major character-defining elements intact and in which basic form and materials survive. Original materials may be covered, but evidence indicates they are intact. Although some minor alterations may have occurred, they are generally reversible.

11.

A building or site whose original site orientation is maintained.

(iii)

Group III: Cultural significance: Each Historic Building or Site qualifying under this group must meet at least one (1) of the following criteria and at least three (3) other individual criteria from group I or II above:

1.

A building or site that has served at a major neighborhood-wide scale as a focus of activity, a gathering spot, or other specific point of reference in the community.

2.

A building or site that by its location is broadly known or recognized by residents throughout a neighborhood.

3.

A building or site which clearly conveys a sense of time and place and about which one has a good ability to interpret the historic character of the resource.

c.

Landmark Districts: A Landmark District is one of exceptional importance to the city, the state or the nation, having exceptionally strong associations with the criteria for district designation. A Landmark District shall meet the criteria specified within at least one (1) of the following three (3) groups:

(i)

Group I: Historic significance: Each Landmark District qualifying under this group must meet at least one (1) of the following criteria:

1.

A district that includes structures and spaces closely associated with the lives or works of persons of exceptionally high significance in the history of the city, the state or the nation.

2.

A district that includes structures and spaces closely associated with extremely important historical events, or trends of national, state or local significance.

3.

A district that includes structures and spaces closely associated with an extremely important cultural pattern or social, economic, or ethnic group in the history of the city, the state or the nation.

(ii)

Group II: Architectural significance: Each Landmark District qualifying under this group must meet at least five (5) of the following criteria:

1.

A district that includes structures and spaces which are exceptionally strongly related, either functionally or aesthetically.

2.

A district that includes exceptionally important elements of the streetscape which are functionally or aesthetically related.

3.

A district that includes structures and spaces which are the works of exceptionally important master architects or builders.

4.

A district that includes an exceptionally fine collection of buildings which express a unity of architectural style.

5.

A district that includes an exceptionally fine collection of buildings which express a variety of architectural styles.

6.

A district that includes exceptionally fine examples of a style or period of construction which is typical of the City of Atlanta.

7.

A district that includes exceptionally fine examples of a style that is rare in the City of Atlanta.

8.

A district that includes a collection of structures and spaces which possess exceptionally high artistic values.

9.

A district that includes a collection of structures and spaces which exhibit exceptionally high quality craftsmanship.

10.

A district that includes a collection of structures associated with an exceptionally significant technology or method of construction, including the use of materials in a significant way.

11.

A district that includes a collection of structures and open spaces with an exceptionally high degree of visual integrity.

12.

A district that includes a collection of structures in which virtually all retain their character-defining design elements.

13.

A district that includes a collection of structures in which virtually all retain their original site orientation.

14.

A district that includes relatively few intrusions or noncontributing structures that detract from the visual integrity of the area.

(iii)

Group III: Cultural significance: Each Landmark District qualifying under this group must meet at least one (1) of the following criteria and at least three (3) other criteria from group I or II above:

1.

A district that is readily definable by manmade or natural boundaries that are recognized throughout the city. These may include distinct land forms, views, vistas, "edges," or focal points.

2.

The district clearly conveys a sense of time and place and about which one has an exceptionally good ability to interpret the historic character of the district.

3.

The district has very few intrusions or noncontributing structures that detract from the sense of time and place.

d.

Historic Districts: An Historic District is one of importance to the city, the state, or the nation, or to a neighborhood in the city, having strong associations with the criteria for district designation. Each Historic District shall meet the following criteria specified within at least one (1) of the following three (3) groups:

(i)

Group I: Historic significance: Each Historic District qualifying under this group must meet at least one (1) of the following criteria:

1.

A district that includes structures and spaces closely associated with the lives and works of persons of moderately high significance to the history of the city, the state or the nation.

2.

A district that includes structures and spaces closely associated with important historical events or trends of national, state or local significance.

3.

A district that includes structures and spaces closely associated with an important cultural pattern or social, economic or ethnic group in the history of the city.

(ii)

Group II: Architectural significance: Each Historic District qualifying under this group must meet at least five (5) of the following criteria:

1.

A district that includes structures and spaces which are very strongly related, either functionally or aesthetically.

2.

A district that includes very important elements of the streetscape which are functionally or aesthetically related.

3.

A district that includes structures and spaces which are the works of important master architects or builders.

4.

A district that includes a very good collection of structures that express a unity of architectural style.

5.

A district that includes a very good collection of structures that express a variety of architectural styles.

6.

A district that includes very good examples of a style or period of construction that is typical of the City of Atlanta.

7.

A district that includes very good examples of a style that is rare in the City of Atlanta.

8.

A district that includes a collection of structures and spaces which possess very high artistic values.

9.

A district that includes a collection of structures which exhibit very high quality craftsmanship.

10.

A district that includes a collection of structures associated with a very significant technology or method of construction, including the use of materials in a significant way.

11.

A district that includes a collection of structures and spaces with a high degree of visual integrity.

12.

A district that includes a collection of structures in which most retain their character-defining design elements, although some alterations have occurred.

13.

A district that includes a collection of structures in which most retain their original site orientation.

14.

A district that includes moderately few intrusions which detract from the visual integrity of the area.

(iii)

Group III: Cultural significance: Each Landmark District qualifying under this group must meet at least one (1) of the following criteria and at least three (3) other criteria from group I or II above:

1.

A district that is readily definable by manmade or natural boundaries that are recognized throughout the city or neighborhood.

2.

The district conveys a sense of time and place and about which one has a good ability to interpret the historic character of the district.

3.

The district has moderately few noncontributing structures that detract from the sense of time and place for the area.

e.

Conservation Districts: A Conservation District is one that has retained an adequate amount of its historic character for interpretation, although some alterations may have occurred. A Conservation District shall meet the criteria specified within at least one (1) of the following three (3) groups:

(i)

Group I: Historic significance: Each Conservation District qualifying under this group must meet at least one (1) of the following criteria:

1.

A district that includes a number of structures and spaces moderately associated with the lives or works of persons of general significance in the history of the city, the state or the nation.

2.

A district that includes structures and spaces associated with moderately important historical events or trends of national, state or local significance.

3.

A district that includes structures and spaces associated with a moderately important cultural pattern or social, economic or ethnic group in the history of the city.

(ii)

Group II: Architectural significance: Each Conservation District qualifying under this group must meet at least five (5) of the following criteria:

1.

A district that includes structures and spaces which are moderately related, either functionally or aesthetically.

2.

A district that includes elements of the streetscape which are functionally or aesthetically related.

3.

A district that includes structures and spaces which are the works of recognized master architects or builders.

4.

A district that includes a good collection of structures that express a unity of architectural styles.

5.

A district that includes a good collection of structures that express a variety of architectural styles.

6.

A district that includes good examples of a style or period of construction which is typical of the City of Atlanta and for which other examples also exist.

7.

A district that includes a collection of good surviving examples of styles that are moderately rare in the neighborhood.

8.

A district that includes a collection of structures and spaces which possess generally high artistic values.

9.

A district that includes a collection of structures and spaces which exhibit generally high quality craftsmanship.

10.

A district that includes a collection of structures associated with a generally significant technology or method of construction or for which materials are used in a moderately significant way and for which other examples exist.

11.

A district that includes a collection of structures and spaces with a moderate degree of visual integrity.

12.

A district that includes a collection of structures in which major character-defining elements are intact and in which basic form and materials survive, although some alterations have occurred. Original materials may be covered, but evidence indicates they are intact.

13.

A district that includes structures to which alterations may have occurred to significant ornament and detail and even some openings.

14.

A district that includes a collection of buildings in which many retain their original site orientation, however some may have been relocated from their original positions.

15.

A district that includes only a moderate number of intrusions which detract from the visual integrity of the area.

(iii)

Group III: Cultural significance: Each Conservation District qualifying under this group must meet at least one (1) of the following criteria and at least three (3) other criteria from group I or II above:

1.

A district that is readily definable by manmade or natural boundaries that are recognized throughout the neighborhood.

2.

A district that conveys a sense of time and place and about which one has a moderate ability to interpret the historic character of the district.

3.

A district that has few noncontributing structures that detract from the sense of time and place of the district. Although these structures are noticeable as intrusions, the historic character of the area is generally interpretable.

(Code 1977, § 16-20.004)