Norwich considers adding South Broad Street to Historic Register
NORWICH — During this week's Common Council meeting, council members were approached about listing South Broad Street on the National Register of Historic Places.
City of Ithaca Historic Preservation Planner Bryan McCracken brought the possible eligibility to the attention of council members.
"The following opportunity is through the Guilford High Bridge Wind Tower project. So part of that project is that developers are required to pay mitigation funds because of the potential impact this project will have on historic resources within Chenango County or communities," said McCracken.
McCracken also stated that a National Register listing could come with financial incentives such as tax credits.
"So there is an income tax credit for income-producing property or owner occupied homes up to 20 percent. And then if it's a commercial property or an income-producing property there is a state tax credit of 30 percent, which is an increase of 20 percent in the last year. So that's a big deal," he said.
Currently, North Broad Street is already listed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to McCracken. He said the area ranges from Cortland Street to Newton Avenue, and covers both sides of the street.
South Broad Street was recently found to be possibly eligible for registry during a survey to determine if the wind tower project would have an impact on surrounding communities.
"South Broad Street was identified because as part of our High Bridge Wind Tower Project, the developer had to do a survey of all the communities that would be impacted by that wind project. And as part of that project the boundary on South Broad Street ... was identified as being potentially eligible for listing," McCracken explained.
If Norwich were to accept the mitigation funds, McCracken said next steps would be to hire a contractor to write up the nomination to put South Broad Street on the National Register.
"So the mitigation funds, if the City of Norwich were to accept them, we would come to the city and then they would be used to hire a contractor to draft the National Register nomination for the South Broad Street historic district," said McCracken. "So it's just a matter of accepting the funds, and then going forward and hiring a contractor."
Council members did express some concern, however, about the project potentially negatively impacting the county financially. But, McCracken stated that there would be no cost to the municipality.
In fact, McCracken explained that National register listings intend to stabilize the value of historic properties, as well as provide motivation to maintain these properties.
McCracken also stated that there would be no restrictions in regard to property owners making changes to their own properties.
"If you want to change your property, you don't have to get any permission from anybody to do that. If you want to demolish your property, you don't have to get permission. There's no regulatory body that would then step in as soon as it was nominated to review things," said McCracken.
South Broad Street was evaluated by the National Register several years ago, and was found to not qualify for listing. But, McCracken stated that a new study was done in 2019, and that evaluators may have had a "change of heart."
If South Broad Street is re-evaluated and found to be eligible for National Register listing, the registered area would begin at Front Street, and stretch to Jones Avenue, on the East and West sides of the street, according to McCracken.
To start this process, however, McCracken stated there are still a few more steps to take.
"So there's still a couple of steps that are left for this developer," said McCracken. "He needs to have his mitigation plan approved by the State Historic Information Office. And then he needs to enter into an agreement with the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) and permitting with the DEC, and then the funds wouldn't become available for this until that work is done."
McCracken stated this process could take "as little as a few months, but up to a year."
Overall, council members were interested in McCracken's proposal, and all voted in favor to accept the funds if they are awarded.
City of Ithaca Historic Preservation Planner Bryan McCracken brought the possible eligibility to the attention of council members.
"The following opportunity is through the Guilford High Bridge Wind Tower project. So part of that project is that developers are required to pay mitigation funds because of the potential impact this project will have on historic resources within Chenango County or communities," said McCracken.
McCracken also stated that a National Register listing could come with financial incentives such as tax credits.
"So there is an income tax credit for income-producing property or owner occupied homes up to 20 percent. And then if it's a commercial property or an income-producing property there is a state tax credit of 30 percent, which is an increase of 20 percent in the last year. So that's a big deal," he said.
Currently, North Broad Street is already listed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to McCracken. He said the area ranges from Cortland Street to Newton Avenue, and covers both sides of the street.
South Broad Street was recently found to be possibly eligible for registry during a survey to determine if the wind tower project would have an impact on surrounding communities.
"South Broad Street was identified because as part of our High Bridge Wind Tower Project, the developer had to do a survey of all the communities that would be impacted by that wind project. And as part of that project the boundary on South Broad Street ... was identified as being potentially eligible for listing," McCracken explained.
If Norwich were to accept the mitigation funds, McCracken said next steps would be to hire a contractor to write up the nomination to put South Broad Street on the National Register.
"So the mitigation funds, if the City of Norwich were to accept them, we would come to the city and then they would be used to hire a contractor to draft the National Register nomination for the South Broad Street historic district," said McCracken. "So it's just a matter of accepting the funds, and then going forward and hiring a contractor."
Council members did express some concern, however, about the project potentially negatively impacting the county financially. But, McCracken stated that there would be no cost to the municipality.
In fact, McCracken explained that National register listings intend to stabilize the value of historic properties, as well as provide motivation to maintain these properties.
McCracken also stated that there would be no restrictions in regard to property owners making changes to their own properties.
"If you want to change your property, you don't have to get any permission from anybody to do that. If you want to demolish your property, you don't have to get permission. There's no regulatory body that would then step in as soon as it was nominated to review things," said McCracken.
South Broad Street was evaluated by the National Register several years ago, and was found to not qualify for listing. But, McCracken stated that a new study was done in 2019, and that evaluators may have had a "change of heart."
If South Broad Street is re-evaluated and found to be eligible for National Register listing, the registered area would begin at Front Street, and stretch to Jones Avenue, on the East and West sides of the street, according to McCracken.
To start this process, however, McCracken stated there are still a few more steps to take.
"So there's still a couple of steps that are left for this developer," said McCracken. "He needs to have his mitigation plan approved by the State Historic Information Office. And then he needs to enter into an agreement with the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) and permitting with the DEC, and then the funds wouldn't become available for this until that work is done."
McCracken stated this process could take "as little as a few months, but up to a year."
Overall, council members were interested in McCracken's proposal, and all voted in favor to accept the funds if they are awarded.
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