HARC Amendments to UDC Proposed

Changes to the City’s development code for items governed by the Historic and Architectural Review Commission are being proposed by the City. Those changes can be reviewed here where there’s also an online form for submitting feedback.

HARC is a City commission that reviews plans for changes to buildings, sites, and signage within the historic overlay districts in Georgetown. This includes the 40-block downtown commercial district as well as the Old Town District, which includes much of the residential area east of the Courthouse Square. HARC issues Certificates of Design Compliance for approved modifications consistent with the Downtown and Old Town Design Guidelines.

A review of the City’s Unified Development Code began in May, following direction from the City Council. A list of proposed HARC amendments was proposed to the City Council in October.

Proposed changes to the UDC include administrative review of sign designs and small projects, identification of structures requiring review for demolition, clarification of building demolition process, and review authority transferred to the planning director on plans to save heritage trees and alternative parking plans. Staff recommendations on amendments include a total of 35 changes to the existing UDC.

The proposed UDC amendments and additional information is available on the City’s website at HARCamendments.georgetown.org. Comments on the proposed changes should be submitted via the website by December 19.

HARC amendments to the UDC are scheduled for approval by the City Council in early 2015.

For additional information, contact Matt Synatschk, historic planner with the City of Georgetown at (512) 930-3581 or matt.synatschk@georgetown.org.