To ensure that development and redevelopment reflect the community’s values, a City Council-appointed citizen review board, the Architectural Review Board (ARB), evaluates projects within the Historic District. Its responsibility is to ensure that projects meet specific criteria for historic preservation to protect the character of the area.

Applications for certificates of appropriateness are to be submitted the third week of each month to be considered by the ARB at the next monthly public hearing, which occurs on the second Monday of each month. A certificate of appropriateness is required for new construction, additions, demolition, accessory structures, signs, fences, and alterations of buildings visible from a public right-of-way or City property. Regular maintenance and repair typically do not require review, but contact the Historic Resources Planner for questions about any project.  

The Historic District Design Guidelines are used by the ARB to evaluate projects in the district and should be used by applicants to plan projects as well. The Guidelines address changes to existing buildings, new construction, signs, site elements, accessibility, and many other specific project types.