Many Talmadge residents have received letters recently from the State Office of Historic Preservation, indicating whether that property is a contributor or a non-contributor to the newly designated historic district. We can all tip our hats to Talmadge resident and volunteer, Laura Henson, for spearheading this effort to create a state (and hopefully soon-to-be locally)-recognized historic district within this special community. I thought it would be helpful to have Laura explain what this all means, as reflected in my interview with her below:
1. Megan: What is Talmadge Park Estates Historic District (TPEHD) and what makes it special?
Laura: According to the State Office of Historic Preservation, “Talmadge Park Estates Historic District, composed of single-family buildings and decorative wrought iron gates, …The district represents an evolution of San Diego’s suburban development in the wake of the Great Depression, into the incorporation of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) small/minimum house principles for neighborhood planning, and through World War II housing shortage and construction restrictions. Architectural styles include Spanish Colonial Revival, the small Ranch (which originated in this neighborhood), and Minimal Traditional.” Sadly, many of San Diego’s older communities lost their historic character during this last infill movement which occurred between the 1960’s & 70’s, but luckily TPEHD missed the effects of this building boom. This is why the district retains so much of its original integrity.
2. Megan: What does TPEHD mean for the residents within that district?
Laura: In general, historic homes are subject to the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (The Standards). The good news is that the principal guideline is also the least expensive, which is repair rather than replace. The goal is to keep the neighborhood looking as original as possible.
3. Megan: What are the benefits of a historic district?
Laura:
· Historic Districts maintains the look and feel of a well-planned and well-built older community by managing change over time. The Standards provide guidelines for modifications and additions to existing properties that honor the age and style of the home within its historic environment.
· Contributors can potentially receive property tax relief once we are recognized locally.
· Historic districts historically have raised home values.
4. Megan: Residents have received letters from the State Parks and Recreation Dept indicating their property is now listed on the National and State Historic Registry. Does this mean that they are eligible to apply for Mills Act here in San Diego?
Laura: We are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We are not yet listed on the San Diego Register. Efforts to be come listed locally are in process. We can only apply for the Mills Act once we are listed locally.
5. Megan: Does being a historic district limit what a homeowner can or cannot do to their home?
Laura: Yes, when you live in a historic district anything you do to the outside of your home requires review by the City’s Heritage Preservation Staff, according to The Standards. This does not mean you cannot change the outside of your home. Historic districts require another level of review to apply The Standards when making changes to the outside of a historic house. These changes can even include building an ADU or second story. Replacing windows within an original opening requires a permit in a historic district. The Standard require residents maintain their wood window and change back to wood if their vinyl windows need to be replaced in the future.
6. Megan: Are there plans to incorporate any other parts of Talmadge in this or another historic district in the future?
Laura: TPEHD only covers the first two Roy Lichty subdivisions, which exist within the historic gates. If any of the other subdivisions within Talmadge would like to become a historic district, the Talmadge Historical Society would be happy to assist in those efforts.
7. What are the next steps?
Go to www.tpehd.org to learn more about the district and whether your house is a Contributor to the district. The website has guidelines for Contributors/Non-contributors and referrals for contractors and crafts people that specialize in working on older homes. Encourage the City of San Diego to list National Register Districts on the San Diego Register as soon as possible. This can be done via the Preservation in Progress website at, https://www.sandiego.gov/planning/work/historic-preservation-planning/preservation-and-progress I hope this information was helpful. Please join me in sending LOADS OF GRATITUDE TO LAURA for her efforts to preserve the character and integrity of Talmadge.