Landmarking Application

Designation Procedure

1. Submit a completed application, together with supporting material to info@pchps.org or PPC, 25 Highland Park Village, Suite 100, Box 286, Dallas, TX 75205-2789.
2. PPC’s Landmark Advisory Committee (consisting of appointed directors and outside consultants) will review the applications and determine if the property fits within the guidelines of the Marker Program or if additional information is required.
3. The Advisory Committee forwards the application and its recommendations to the Board of Directors for final action.
4. The review process and action of the PPC Board will require a period of 4-8 weeks depending on the type of application and the amount of study required.
5. To expedite the review process, applicants are requested to submit detailed supporting information including the documentation resources used to determine historical information. (Example: Book 5, Page 31, Highland Park City Records Book.)
6. All applications must include the written consent of the owner.

Special Note: Do not send original documents. Use photocopies of the original, as PPC cannot assume responsibility for documents that are submitted. In those cases where a photocopy is impractical, detailed information on location will enable a PPC researcher to verify the information.

Award Criteria

The Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society (PCHPS) has established three award categories in order to:

• Encourage the preservation of the fabric of the community we treasure.
• Make a statement about the importance of architecture and history in our community.
• Commend a homeowner for their care of a property.
• Raise the visibility of our Society in the community.

Award Categories

• Historic Significance
• Architectural Significance
• Renovation Excellence

Historic Significance

To be eligible for designation historically, a subject property must meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. Character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage, or cultural characteristics of the Park Cities, State of Texas, or the United States.
2. Location as the site of a significant historical event.
3. Identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the culture and development of the Park Cities other than for specific architectural design. Properties significant for their associations with architects or builders who contributed to the development of the Park Cities should be evaluated under Architectural Designation Criteria (see next section).
4. Portrayal of the environment of a group of people in an era of history.
5. Unique location of singular physical characteristics representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood in the Park Cities.
6. Archeological value in that it has produced or can be expected to produce data affecting theories of historic or prehistoric interest.
7. Value as an aspect of community sentiment or public pride.
8. Exemplification of the cultural, economic, social or historical heritage of the Park Cities.

Architectural Significance

Certain distinguished Park Cities buildings or natural/physical features, of at least 50 years of age, are to be considered for landmark designation because of architectural merit or relationship to the community. They may be designated by satisfying the following criteria:

1. The front elevation (and the exposed side elevation if located on a corner) must remain without significant alteration and true to the original intent and character of the structure.
2. Embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type or specimen.
3. Embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represent a significant architectural innovation.
4. Physical and architectural features of a scale established and familiar in the Park Cities.

Any alteration from the property’s original condition will be scrutinized for its appropriateness. In general, significant alteration of the front elevation or side elevation if on a corner lot will render the structure ineligible. The following items will be used as a checklist in the evaluation process:

• Style
• Date of construction
• Architect
• Builder
• Condition
• Main exterior materials
• Roof
• Doors.
• Windows
• Dormers/eaves
• Shutters
• Chimney
• Painted materials
• Massing
• Unique features
• Taller additions

Renovation Excellence

In addition to the Historic and Architectural Designations, PPC has established a third category that acknowledges the need to sometimes alter or add to a structure to meet continuing or changing uses of a property and its owners. This award is meant to encourage home owners to retain a property’s original character when such changes are undertaken to the front façade or side façade if on a corner.

A structure may be recognized for a Renovation Award by satisfying the following criteria:

1. A structure must be at least 50 years old.
2. A renovation must retain the character of the original design.
3. Elements of architectural design, scale, detail, materials or craftsmanship should represent a significant architectural style or innovation.
4. Site integration is so designed to enhance the setting of the structure and add to the ambiance of the neighborhood.
5. Changes are so sensitively executed that they appear to be original to the structure.

The intent or Renovation Award is not to mark structures that simply do not qualify for the Architectural Designation by reason of alteration, but to recognize examples of especially well executed modifications.

The Society reserves the right to withdraw a designation should the condition of the awardee be altered or changed significantly.