Boerne staff outlines expanded historic preservation grant and outreach plans; commission discusses program operation

City of Boerne planning staff briefed the Historic Landmark Commission on Aug. 5 about changes to the city's small Historic Preservation Grant program, eligibility criteria and outreach plans ahead of a planned website and collateral update.

Staff said the program, created in 2012 as the Historic District Improvement Program (HDIP), was renamed the Historic Preservation Grant and now allows properties outside the district to be eligible if they are designated local historic landmarks. The program provides matching, reimbursement grants for eligible exterior work — including roof repairs, ADA accessibility improvements and building/fire-code work — and uses a point-based threshold for eligibility. Staff said projects must score a minimum of 20 points on the department's worksheet to be brought before the commission for approval, though the commission retains discretion in its decisions.

Staff described the grant award structure: for projects under $24,999 the program offered a one-to-one match for the first $5,000; larger projects are eligible for higher awards on a sliding scale with a maximum award of $14,500 for projects of $100,000 or more. The planning department said city council sets the annual allocation; for fiscal year 2025 the council budgeted $35,000 for the program and that so far $5,000 has been awarded and reimbursed this year. Staff said grant recipients must be current on city obligations (taxes/utilities/liens), that projects undergo three inspections (at completion, after 1 year, and after 3 years) and that properties are ineligible for another grant for three years.

Commissioners asked whether unused funds roll over to the next year, whether the program should be codified in the Unified Development Code (UDC) and how the city will publicize the program to downtown property owners. Staff said unused funds do not automatically roll over into the next year’s allocation and that keeping the program outside the UDC allows greater flexibility for administrative updates (UDC changes are limited to twice a year and carry additional procedural steps). Staff said they will update a public-facing historic preservation webpage, create printed flyers and QR codes, and coordinate outreach with the Chamber of Commerce and local business associations to notify the 166 properties on the Hill Country Mile.

Staff also outlined the landmark nomination process: property owners research and submit documentation; the commission reviews and makes a recommendation; the item goes to the Planning & Zoning Commission and then to City Council for final action. Staff said once a property is designated a landmark, exterior changes require the commission's certificate-of-appropriateness review and the property becomes eligible for the grant program.

Commissioners suggested broader outreach to downtown businesses and coordination with county historical societies; staff said they would pursue those contacts and return with a proposal for outreach materials at a future meeting. No formal vote was required for this informational item.