Staff reports strong application volume, tax‑exemption activity and higher plaque costs
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Summary
City historic preservation staff reported 10 completed ad valorem tax exemption applications this year, processing 782 historic‑preservation applications in the past year, and a major rise in plaque costs (from about $190 to $500–$800).
Jordan Hodges, city historic preservation planner, told the board the division saw an unusually high year of activity and made several housekeeping announcements.
Hodges said staff processed 782 preservation‑related applications in the last year across permitting and certificates of appropriateness, and that the office forwarded eight tax‑exemption resolutions to the city commission on the previous business day. "We were able to get 8 of their resolutions passed yesterday at city commission," he said; two additional tax‑exemption applicants were on the board's Dec. 9 agenda and, if approved by the board, would move to the Jan. 5 city commission meeting.
Hodges also described the city's certified local government (CLG) status and the potential to apply for grant funds through the state division of historical resources. He noted staff may pursue grants in spring for projects such as design guidelines or resurveys.
On the city's historic‑structure plaques, Hodges said the program paused after the prior plaque distributor closed and that metal tariffs plus supply issues have driven sticker prices up sharply. "Our old cost was a $190 to residents and our current quotes... between $500 and $800 per plaque," he said, and asked board members to pass along any foundry contacts.
Staff also said it will require collated plan sets in the EPL permitting system (site plan + floor plans together) and hopes to roll out application checklist updates and a 2026 calendar by Jan. 1.