The Fisher Park Historic District is one of three Historic Districts in Greensboro.
The other two are Aycock (adjacent to Fisher Park) and College Hill (near UNC-Greensboro).
Click to see a map of the Fisher Park neighborhood and the smaller Historic District within.
The bold black line indicates our entire neighborhood.
The light blue tinted area is the smaller Historic District within the neighborhood.
Who owned your home originally? Thanks to tedious yet very helpful data entry by Russ Clegg (of Magnolia Street) we can share a list of the original owners of many homes in the Fisher Park Historic District! Have fun looking up YOUR home in this list! The list is sorted by street name then street number. If you have evidence of even more accurate information, or questions about the information, please communicate your information or questions to City of Greensboro Historic District staff, Mike Cowhig at 373-2755 or Stefan-leih Geary at 412-6300.
Major sections of all three Historic Districts are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and many individual "contributing structures" -- that is, houses and buildings that meet the National Register's criteria -- are also listed on the National Register.
Greensboro's local Historic Districts are governed by specific ordinances and guidelines that define what kinds of exterior work and landscaping may be done in the districts. The intent of these ordinances is to preserve the historic character of the neighborhoods, prevent contributing structures from being destroyed, and prevent historic architectural features from being lost during exterior remodeling. The ordinances do not in any way restrict interior renovation or remodeling.
Where Can I Find Historic District Guidelines?
The Historic District Design Guidelines are available from Greensboro's department of Housing and Community Development (373-2349) and can be downloaded in PDF format from the HCD web site.
If you're new in the neighborhood, thinking about moving here, or are considering undertaking new construction or renovation, it is well worth your while to take time now to read the Guidelines. They are not complicated or burdensome, but the neighborhood Board and the City do act to support the Guidelines.
Time spent looking over Historic District Guidelines up front will save you a great deal of time and expense rather than later finding your plans don't meet the Guidelines.
What's The Process?
2) Plan your project and get free advice from Mike Cowhig or Stefan-leih Geary, who administer Greensboro's Historic District Program. You can reach them at the City Historic District office 373.2349. They are knowledgeable and eager to help.
3) Preview a document which gives examples of work that may not require pre-approval, or that requires only City Historic District Staff approval, or that requires Historic District Commission approval. These are only examples, but may help you move ahead with your planning or set your time expectations realistically.
4) Get FREE historic district design advice from knowledgeable volunteers on a Design Review Committee which meets the 1st Thursday of the month, 4:00 pm, Plaza Level Conference Room in the Melvin Municipal Building (City Hall). Call ahead, because meetings are rescheduled around holidays or cancelled if no one has called for FREE advice. To confirm meeting time/date call Mike Cowhig at 373-2755 or Stefan-leih Geary at 412-6300.
5) If your request requires approval by either City Historic District Staff or the Historic Preservation Commission, submit an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). You can get an application from the City Housing and Community Development Dept. (call 336-373-2349) or download one from their web site.
Currently, there is no application fee. City Historic District Staff review applications daily. If your request requires Historic Preservation Commission approval, the Historic Preservation Commission reviews all applications on the last Wednesday of every month, and your application must be submitted two weeks before that meeting. Make sure your application is clear and detailed enough so that the Commission understands exactly what your project involves. If they can't figure out what you're trying to do, your project may be delayed. Please provide significant detail, such as site plans, elevation drawings, material specifications, etc.
6) It is recommended that you attend the monthly Fisher Park neighborhood Board meeting. The neighborhood Board of Directors looks at all applications for COAs and makes recommendations about them to the Historic Preservation Commission. The Board is there to help you through the process and remind you of items/issues you'll need to address before the Historic Preservation Commission meeting a few days later. The neighborhood Board appreciates your investment in the neighborhood and when your project meets Historic District Guidelines, the Board can support your project in front of the Historic Preservation Commission. (See our neighborhood's news/events calendar for Board meeting dates/times.)
7) Attend the Historic Preservation Commission meeting. This meeting is on the last Wednesday of the month at 4:00 pm in City Council Chambers, Melvin Municipal Building (City Hall). Usually the commissioners will do everything they can, within the Guidelines, to help your project get off the ground. But if you're not there to explain your project, or if they have significant questions about it, your project may be continued until the next month's Historic Preservation Commission meeting. Your prior preparation and communication efforts will significantly speed your project.
8) Receive your large green Certificate of Appropriateness (CoA) card, display it in your window when you begin your work, and keep it visible to the public throughout your work. Keeping this visible assures neighbors you have properly obtained a CoA for your work and eliminates many neighbor questions and phone calls to Greensboro's Historic District office.
Routine Work and Staff Approval
Many routine projects, such as painting your house, minor exterior repairs and landscaping, tree trimming or removal of absolutely dead trees, and reroofing with the same materials as before, do not require that your application go before the Historic Preservation Commission. For such work, COAs can be issued by City Historict District Staff, and usually arrive within a few days of your application -- but you still must send in an application. To determine if your project may require only staff approval, simply call Mike Cowhig or Stefan-leih Geary of the Historic District Staff at 336-373-2349 or 336-412-6300.
What Happens If I Don't Get a COA?
City zoning enforcement officers will probably order you to stop work until a COA is issued. Fines or penalties can be levied for failure to comply. If, for example, you were to cut down a healthly, adult tree without a COA, the City might require you to replace the tree with a comparable one and/or face a fine.
By following the free steps above, you'll eliminate any such concerns. Thanks to all who participate in the process!
