LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS

Saving Tybee Island's history and preserving its character.

In each one, a majority of its residents have decided they want to keep the look and feel of the place they call “home” by adopting a local preservation ordinance, then creating a local preservation commission to administer it.

WHAT DO THE NATIONS 2,300 LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS HAVE

IN COMMON?

Local legislation is one of the best ways to protect the historic

character of buildings, streetscapes, neighborhoods, and

special landmarks from inappropriate alterations,

inappropriate new construction, and other poorly conceived work,

as well as outright demolition.

"The preservation ordinance is nothing more than local

legislation enacted to protect buildings and neighborhoods

from destruction or insensitive rehabilitation…“

Pratt Cassity, Maintaining Community Character: How to Establish a Local Historic District. National

Trust for Historic Preservation, 2000.

WHAT WE HAVE…A local Preservation Ordinance – 1999

National Historic Districts - 1999

Certified Local Government status - 2014

An Accredited Main Street Program – since 2010

WHY WE HAVE IT…

We have Local, State and National Park Service Accreditation because of the wealth of historical resources within our community.

WHAT WE NEED…

To fulfill the next step in our existing, 1999, ordinance we need to establish local districts.

WHY DO WE NEED IT….

To keep this from happening.

AND TO PROMOTE…Heritage Tourism….

Studies show that people come to visit and then decide to stay.

Investment…

Between 2009 and 2015 over $8.5 million was invested into the

proposed downtown district.

Between 2002 and 2015 over $2.7 million was invested in historic

buildings through the use of tax credits.

WHAT HAS PRESERVATION DONE FOR TYBEE ISLAND?

THE HARD PART HAS BEEN SUPPORTED AND IS DONE!

WE ALREADY HAVE A PRESERVATION ORDINANCE

A PRESERVATION ORDINANCE…

 Provides protection of historic properties

 Establishes an objective process for designating historic properties and districts

Protects the integrity of designated historic properties.

 Authorizes design guidelines for new development within historic districts.

 Stabilizes declining neighborhoods and protects and enhances property values.

A PRESERVATION ORDINANCE DOES NOT

Require improvements, changes, or restoration of the property

Require that historic properties be open for tours

 Restrict the sale of the property

Require approval of interior changes or alterations

 Prevent new construction within historic areas

Require approval for ordinary repair or maintenance

WHAT WILL CHANGE? Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) will be required.

The Local District ordinances require that prior to (exterior) material changes, (exterior) major alterations or demolition to a designated historic resource, the Historic Preservation Commission must approve a Certificate of Appropriateness. 

NOT INCLUDED IN A COAPaint colors

Ordinary repair and maintenance

Interior alterations

Landscaping

Tybee’s unique architectural character requires multiple districts with each one representing its own architectural history.

WHAT DETERMINES A DISTRICT…

A district is determined by its contributing buildings.

WHAT MAKES A BUILDING CONTRIBUTING?

In addition to being 50 years or older it must...

Retain distinguishing characteristics of an architectural design representing Tybee’s development

Be in a location or have characteristics that represent an established and familiar visual feature of a Tybee neighborhood.

Be identified as the work of an architect or master builder whose work has influenced the development of Tybee.

This map details all

of contributing buildings based on the 2003 survey.

DISTRICTS

THE 3 PROPOSED LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS

The Mid Island District

The Fort Screven District

The Resort DistrictBack River DistrictStrand DistrictDowntown District

MID ISLAND LOCAL DISTRICT OUTLINE This district is bounded on the:

North by Hwy 80

East: by the Atlantic Ocean from Hwy 80 to 8th St. and Butler Ave. from 8th to 14th St.

South: by 14th St.,

West: by Venetian Dr., 12th St., Miller, 6th St., to the west side of Lewis Ave.,

FORT SCREVEN LOCAL DISTRICT OUTLINE

This district is bounded on the:

North by the Savannah River, East: by the Atlantic Ocean from the Savannah River to 2ND St.,

South: by Hwy. 80, West: by Fort Ave. and Polk St.

RESORT LOCAL DISTRICT SUB-DISTRICT BACK RIVER OUTLINE

This district is bounded on the:

North by 14th Street, East: by Lovell, 18th St., and the Atlantic Ocean,

South: by the Back River, West: by the Back River.

RESORT LOCAL DISTRICT SUB-DISTRICT STRAND OUTLINE

This district is bounded on the:

North by 8th Street, East: by the Atlantic Ocean

South: by 14th St., West: by Butler Ave.

RESORT LOCAL DISTRICT SUB-DISTRICT DOWNTOWN OUTLINE

This district is bounded on the:

North by 14th Street, East: by Strand Ave

South: by 18th St., West: by Lovell Ave.

In conjunction with the Tybee Island 2007 Master Plan, a survey of residents found that 59% believe the city should be doing even more to protect its historic resources.

The Historic Preservation Commission was created by Tybee’s City Council, with the approval of the citizens, to guide Tybee in preserving and protecting their Historic Resources.

Establishing Local Historic Districts

is the next necessary step.