Swan Lake Neighborhood Association

Tulsa Preservation Commission

Presservation Goals

1. A community-wide awareness of the significant historical, architectural, archaeological and natural features of Tulsa in addition to an awareness and understanding on the part of residents and property owners within historic areas of their unique and significant features.

2. Realization among Tulsa's residents of the need for a continuing program of preservation to maintain the community's heritage.

3. Preservation and continued maintenance of those buildings and places in the Tulsa Metropolitan Area that have historic, architectural, archaeological, or natural significance and are in sound or repairable physical condition.

4. Rehabilitation which preserves the significant features of buildings and places of cultural value where their current physical status allows restoration.

5. Revitalization of those properties and areas of significance that are largely intact, but which require minor improvements to realize their full physical and cultural potential.

Preservation Policies

1. POSITION ON PRESERVATION

1.1 The preservation and rehabilitation of existing properties of historical or architectural significance or properties within historically or architecturally significant areas should be encouraged when they will support economically viable uses.

1.2 Where the original use of a landmark or property within a significant area is impractical, an adaptive use of the property, compatible with its physical characteristics, should be encouraged.

1.3 Reasonable efforts should be made to protect and preserve archaeological resources affected by or adjacent to land development objects.

1.4 The policies and programs of historic preservation should encourage neighborhood stabilization and revitalization and minimize the displacement of low and moderate income residents.

1.5 The use of positive incentives rather than governmental controls should be the principal means of implementing historic preservation.

1.6 Public investment in historic areas should be maintained at a level that is compatible with levels of public investment in other areas of the community.

1.7 Publicly owned landmarks should be used and well-maintained.

1.8 The public should seek to rehabilitate and re-use their vacant or abandoned buildings that are in structurally sound condition.

1.9 Community residents, businesses, and property owners will be given the opportunity to be fully involved in the planning and implementation of historic preservation. This includes an adequate notification of how and when participation can occur.

1.10 Pedestrian movement should be encouraged as a major form of travel within historically significant areas through the upgrading and maintenance of pedestrian facilities and minimizing pedestrian and vehicular conflicts.

1.11 As economically feasible, open space should be retained or developed in historic areas that contained open space as a part of their original character.
 

2.0  TULSA'S PROGRAM FOR PRESERVATION

2.1 The preservation program shall consist of the following elements:

a. An ongoing program to educate citizens in the need for and the techniques of preservation.

b. The ongoing identification of historically, architecturally, and archaeologically significant areas and properties.

c. The development of a series of general design guidelines which are applicable for rehabilitation or restoration of significant areas and landmarks throughout the Tulsa Metropolitan Area.

d. The development of a set of guidelines for each identified historic area.

e. The incorporation of identified areas and landmarks, and guidelines into the District Comprehensive Plans.

f. The development of mechanisms for implementing the preservation policies.

2.2 A program to educate citizens by providing published information on significant areas and properties, speakers for interested groups, collection of information available to the public, and technical assistance on preservation procedures and techniques.

2.3 The identification of significant features of Tulsa based on the criteria of the National Register of Historic Places.

 

3.  GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 The following general recommendations are suggested for the rehabilitation, preservation, and continued use of individual landmark buildings and properties within historic areas. They are not intended as mandatory requirements, but rather to serve as a guide for preservation efforts.

3.1.1 Buildings, properties and sites should be recognized as products of the period of their original construction. Alterations should enhance the original construction to the greatest extent feasible.

3.1.2 Changes which may have taken place in the course of time are evidence of the history and development of a building, property, or site and its environment. These changes may have acquired significance in their own right, and this significance should be recognized and respected.

3.1.3 In restoring landmarks or properties in significant areas, deteriorated architectural features should be repaired rather than replaced, wherever possible. In the event replacement is necessary, the new material should match the material being replaced in composition, design, color, texture, and other visual qualities. Repair or replacement of missing architectural features should be based on accurate duplication of features. It should be substantiated by historic, physical, or pictorial evidence where practical and reasonable, rather than on conjectural designs or the availability of different architectural elements from other buildings or properties.

3.1.4 Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties may be considered appropriate where they do not destroy significant historical, architectural, and cultural material, and where such design is compatible with the overall character of the property, neighborhood or environment. Additions or alterations to properties, however, should be done in such a manner that, if they were to be removed in the future, the essential original fabric of the property would be unimpaired.

3.1.5 The use of signs in significant areas or on landmarks should contribute to and respect the historic environment.

 

4. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 The following recommendations relate to the use of City incentives and regulatory mechanisms to protect historic resources.

4.1.1 The development of a set of guidelines for each identified historic area should be accomplished before they are included in the District Plans.

4.1.2 The incorporation of the identified areas and landmarks, and guidelines into the District Comprehensive Plan should be a continuous process which provides ample opportunity for citizen involvement.

4.1.3 Implementation mechanisms should rely on both public and private actions.

4.1.4 Public improvements that will encourage the preservation, rehabilitation, and enhancement of significant areas and landmarks should be undertaken.

4.1.5 Decisions to change zoning should take into consideration the compatibility of the existing significant properties with the proposed zoning district=s requirements.

4.1.6 The application of codes and ordinances to allow more economical historic rehabilitation without compromising individual health and safety should be investigated.

4.1.7 The individual efforts of local agencies to accomplish historic preservation should be coordinated with the Tulsa Preservation Commission to achieve the most effective results. Zoning and comprehensive planning changes that impact historic resources within the City of Tulsa should be submitted to the Tulsa Preservation Commission for review and recommendation before formal action is taken.

4.1.8 The use of existing incentives for historic preservation should be actively pursued.

4.1.9 The development and adoption of new legislation that will provide economic incentives for retention of architecturally and historically significant buildings and sites should be pursued.

4.1.10 Publicly acceptable legal implementation mechanism(s) that will help implement the preservation program should be developed.

4.1.11 Provisions which require a property owner's consent for the designation of his property as a landmark and the consent of a majority of property owners in an area for the area's designation as a historic district should be included in any local legal regulatory mechanism developed for historic preservation.

4.1.12 The development of a private historic preservation foundation which could expend funds for public education, establish an easement program, create a revolving fund, and renovate and restore significant buildings should be encouraged.

Contact Information

Kent Schell
Tel. 918.596.2600