Bath
Historic District Committee
National Register of Historic Places
Frequently Asked Questions:
1.
What does being on the National
Register of Historic Places mean to me as a resident of
Bath
?
It provides national recognition for a
property’s significance and that it is worthy of preservation.
2.
Will this increase or reduce my
taxes?
Property taxes are a local issue and unrelated to the National Register program.
3.
Will being on the NRHP stop me
from making home improvements?
No. If a property owner wishes to utilize the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
for income-producing properties, there is a review of the work that is proposed.
Otherwise, owners may alter, expand, even demolish National Register properties
with their own funds
4.
Can I get a plaque for my house?
Yes, there are a number of companies that provide National Register plaques for
sale.
5.
Will being on the NRHP enhance
the value of my home?
People frequently advertise that properties are listed in the National Register
when they are for sale. It can provide some status, but we cannot say that it
will definitely enhance the value of a home. The best way to enhance the value
of a historic property is to maintain it properly, while respecting its historic
character, materials and integrity.
6.
Will putting my home on the NRHP help protect
Bath
’s Unique Quality of Life?
The National Register is a tangible and visible way to demonstrate that a
community values its heritage. Heritage and authenticity are frequently
mentioned as predictors of quality of life issues. Clearly
Bath
Township
has a special character. Many communities care little for their heritage and as
a result do not care how they grow, develop or change. Usually, they end up
looking like American suburban sprawl with no differentiation from one place to
the next –the Montrose area is one example.
7.
What restrictions does being on
the National Register place on the homeowner?
None.
8.
What does it cost to prepare and
submit a nomination for the Register?
It depends. A property owner can prepare a nomination for his property. It is
not an easy process but there is nothing to prevent an owner or volunteer for
doing so. The cost of a consultant preparing a nomination depends on the
property, the context and the complexity of the nomination.
9.
Do I need to go in front of any boards
before altering my home?
Design review is a local issue and not triggered by a National Register listing.
Many communities have both local design review and National Register listings
that are the same – particularly in historic districts – but they are
completely separate and independent listings.
10.
How is my home considered
historic?
Properties can be considered historic for a number of reasons – association
with a person or event of significance; architectural or design significance;
representation of a pattern of history or development – as examples.
11.
How do I sign up?
There really isn’t a “sign up” process. The current nomination underway
will focus on the
Cleveland-Massillon Road
corridor. If other owners are interested in being added to the current
nomination, we can review those properties to determine eligibility and develop
a proposal to add the property to the nomination.
12.
Are there any time limits? When
can I get started?
The National Register program is ongoing. A property can be nominated at any
time. It usually takes about a year from beginning to prepare the nomination to
its listing by the National Park Service.
13.
Will the benefits transfer if I
sell or give the property to my children or family?
Once listed, the property remains on the National Register unless it is
demolished or so significantly altered that it loses its integrity and
significance. Even in these cases, someone needs to initiate the de-listing
process.
14.
Will having a historic property
increase my resale value?
See the answer to question #5.
15.
Do I have to open my property for
tours?
No.
16.
What
new “lists” will this put me on?
Only the National Register of Historic Places.
No other list.
17.
Are there certain colors that I
must use?
There is no design review associated with the National Register, unless a
property owner is using the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit for
income-producing properties. In that case, the proposed design is reviewed and
approved by the National Park Service.
18.
How will this affect my estate
and estate tax?
No impact is related to
the National Register.
19.
What happens upon my death?
(Does it run with the land?)
See answer to
question #13.
20.
Can I cancel or get out of it?
See answer to question # 13.
21.
Is there a trial period?
See answer to question #13.
22.
Why should I do it?
Most people list their properties as a matter of pride. They also do it because
it affords some measure of protection –federally-funded or licensed projects
must be reviewed for the impact they will have on National Register listed or
National Register eligible properties. Types of federally-funded or licensed
projects which could have an adverse impact on historic properties in
Bath
include road-widening projects and cell phone towers.
23.
If I need an outbuilding does it have
to follow certain criteria?
No. Design Review is a local issue and not tied to the National Register
program.
24.
Can I get grant money to fix up the
place?
No grant funds currently exist specifically for owners of National Register
properties that are privately-owned. Some properties owned by non-profit
organizations might be eligible for funding from foundations and other sources
and the National Register is frequently identified as a requirement for such
funding.
25.
Will I/ can I receive relief
from any zoning issues?
Zoning is a local issue and is not linked to the National Register program.
26.
If something happens (natural disaster, fire, etc.), how can I rebuild and keep
the historic status?
It depends on the extent of the damage. If a property is entirely destroyed the
historic property is gone and a replacement will not be considered historic.
However, a building that is carefully restored following a disaster that left
much of the building unharmed could still be considered historic. Each case of
this type would be unique.
27.
If I have a problem who can I
call?
The Bath Township
Administrative Offices can help direct you to the appropriate individual or
agency to assist you.
28.
Are there certain minimum
requirements?
Typically, a property needs to be at least 50 years old to be eligible for the
National Register and must meet at least one of the four criteria for listing.
The property must also retain integrity of location, setting, materials, design,
and association.
29.
I
have 30 acres, can I sell some off and still keep the historic status?
You can certainly sell some of the
acreage. Keeping the historic status of all of the land would depend on the
nomination and its justification for the land. Typically, the land associated
with the buildings would remain listed, while the other land would sever its
historic association with the property. Advice from the State Historic
Preservation Officer should be sought for this issue.
30.
I have enough property for an
oil well, will the historic register affect this?
An oil well is not federally-licensed and has no federal involvement at our
level. Since there is no federal
involvement, there is impact on a National Register listing.
31.
Who can I call who is an
authority on this and willing to answer any further questions?
The Ohio Historic Preservation Office
handles the National Register program for the State of
Ohio
. The phone number is 614-298-2000 or www.ohiohistory.org/resource/histpres/
Commercial/Income
Producing Property Questions
32.
What if my property is
commercial?
If you plan a substantial rehabilitation of the property you might qualify for a
20% Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit.
33.
What tax advantages are there for commercial property owners who want to
remodel?
There is a 20%
Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit available for substantial rehabilitation (an
amount equal to the adjusted basis in the property or $5,000, whichever is
greater).
Ohio
also has a 25% tax credit pilot project underway for Fiscal Years 2008 and
2009. In order to apply for the state tax credit, the property must already be
listed in the National Register. For the federal credit, the tax credit
application and the National Register nomination process can be taking place
simultaneously.
34.
Are there limits to the type of
business that I can run?
Zoning and land use are local issues and not tied to the National Register.
35.
Does a home office count as income producing property?
Yes, but the IRS only looks at the percentage of the property that is actually
used solely for business purposes. It is best to talk to an accountant or tax
advisor for this answer.
Bath
Public
Conceptual Project Promotion
Bottom
Line - Win/Win for Bath & Home Owner
1.
What works and what does not
work?
There are many misconceptions about the National Register – it is best to
understand and have provided your questions. As you can see from the FAQs here,
the National Register has little impact on the way properties function on a
daily basis. It is likely that people that have had properties on the
National Register for many years might be unaware of the National Register
status because it doesn’t affect their property ownership or use of the
property.
2.
What is the best way to get
people interested?
A Public workshop to talk about the National Register program and why
Bath
is a special place and should be considered for National Register listing will
be held in near future.
Articles in local publications about the National Register with accurate
information about what listing means and doesn’t mean are helpful and will be
available.
Encouragement
from owners of National Register –listed properties –tell the best story and
the increased significance and worth of such property for the home owner.
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