Historic Preservation Board approves marker, two rehab exemptions and three demolitions

The McKinney Historic Preservation Board on a unanimous vote approved a historic-marker application, two Level 2 rehabilitation tax-exemption requests and three certificates of appropriateness to demolish accessory structures.

The board heard from a homeowner who said, “We’ve actually owned the house since 2012, and it’s been under continual renovation,” and described a carriage house added in 2019 that the applicants said they restored to match the property’s original character. A neighbor provided historical context about early resident Joe Barnes and the site’s local significance. After staff recommended approval, the board’s chair moved to approve the historic-marker request; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The actions preserve the board’s role in recognizing historically significant properties while authorizing relief for homeowners who invested in rehabilitation work. Staff noted that Level 2 exemptions require a minimum of $10,000 in eligible improvements and typically carry a 50% ad valorem tax exemption for 10 years.

Board actions at a glance: • Historic marker — Property associated with the Barnes and Largent families: motion to approve historic marker carried unanimously (motion made from the chair). • HP2025-0029 — 403 Tucker Street (Level 2 rehabilitation tax exemption): staff said the application met the $10,000 minimum; staff recommended a 50% exemption for 10 years. The motion to approve carried unanimously. Staff stated the program’s cumulative foregone ad valorem revenue is approximately $299,914. • HP2025-0059 — 501 Board Street (McCone Roberts House, Level 2): staff characterized the house as a high-priority resource and said eligible improvements exceeded $10,000; the motion to approve the Level 2 exemption carried unanimously. • HP2025-0091 — 408 Oak Street (certificate of appropriateness to demolish a detached shed): staff recommended approval, describing the shed as severely deteriorated and not character-defining; motion to approve carried unanimously. • HP2025-0097 — 1505 West Louisiana Street (certificate of appropriateness to demolish a detached garage): staff presented images showing bowed foundation and leaning walls, recommended approval; the board approved the demolition unanimously.

What staff said: The staff presenter repeatedly advised that accessory structures slated for demolition were not character-defining and that removal would not alter the priority rating of the main houses. On the process for rebuilding, staff said homeowners seeking to replace demolished structures must submit a separate certificate-of-appropriateness application; for residential projects staff typically has up to 30 days to act after application submission, and pre-application meetings are common.

Community context and next steps: Board members emphasized homeowner involvement and approved the items with no recorded conditions, though the board discussed the option to impose a 90-day delay in some demolition cases. No recorded member votes were individually tallied in the transcript; minutes record each motion as carrying unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:09 p.m.