Institute Announces New Training for Historic Preservation Commissions
Those charged with protecting Georgia’s local historic properties can gain knowledge and skills needed to perform their jobs successfully through a new training program. The Vinson Institute is carrying out the training in partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Historic Preservation Division, the Georgia Alliance of Preservation Commissions, and the University of Georgia’s Center for Community Design and Preservation.
“A preservation commission reviews material changes to structures or sites within a locally designated district to ensure that the historic integrity of the resource is protected and maintained. They have many guidelines to follow,” explained Chrissy Marlowe, Vinson Institute faculty member and coordinator of the training. “The new program will provide these commissions as well as anyone involved in historic preservation with ongoing and sustained training opportunities twice a year in the spring and fall.”
There are currently 136 local governments in Georgia with historic preservation ordinances; 78 of these are designated by DNR’s Historic Preservation Division as Certified Local Governments.
The goal of the training is to provide participants with a working knowledge of preservation law, design guidelines, procedures, administrative issues, local preservation, and community development strategies, Marlowe reports. Although intended primarily for commission members and staff, the training will also be relevant to local planning and development officials, city and county attorneys, historic property owners, Main Street and Better HomeTown Program managers and board members, and local building inspectors.
A different Georgia community will host each training session so that opportunities can be spread throughout the state.
For more information, contact M. Chrissy Marlowe at cmarlowe@uga.edu; 706.542.9528.
