Preservation District The Preservation District Guide for Residents and Property Owners This Guide provides information about the Clifton Preservation District, and how to submit an application to the Landmarks Commission. A summary of some of the key Clifton guidelines are included along with illustrations of window, door, porch, roof, and garage elements, Top Myths and Mistakes, and architectural styles. |
Joshua Bowles Estate 1955. 2143 Sycamore Ave.
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The Landmarks Commission distributed 3 new brochures in July, 2020. Posted below.
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Clifton Preservation District Architectural Guidelines
We have rules for any exterior changes to any building and they are here.
The guideline topics are: Addition, Archaeology, Cultural Landscapes, Demolition, Door and Entrance, Garage, Masonry, Metal, New Construction-Residential or Non-Residential, Paint, Porch, Roofing, Siding, Sign, Site, Storefront, Streetscape, Windows.
For each guideline, please open the "illustrated guide".
The Metro Landmarks staff are available to assist you and answer any questions you may have by calling 502-574-6230.
Clifton Architectural Review Committee (ARC):
When an exterior modification project is more complex and does not meet the qualifications to be approved at staff level, the project is reviewed by the Clifton ARC at its next regularly scheduled meeting in which there is a quorum. ARC meetings are normally the 2nd or 4th Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm. The meetings take place in Room 101 at 444 South Fifth St. The ARC consists of four volunteer members from the neighborhood, one resident, an architect, a real estate professional, and an owner of income producing property. Two Landmarks Commissioners and a designee from Metro Codes and Regulations are also committee members. The Clifton Preservation District guidelines are the basis for the staff and committee decisions.
Preservation District History:
We have rules for any exterior changes to any building and they are here.
The guideline topics are: Addition, Archaeology, Cultural Landscapes, Demolition, Door and Entrance, Garage, Masonry, Metal, New Construction-Residential or Non-Residential, Paint, Porch, Roofing, Siding, Sign, Site, Storefront, Streetscape, Windows.
For each guideline, please open the "illustrated guide".
The Metro Landmarks staff are available to assist you and answer any questions you may have by calling 502-574-6230.
Clifton Architectural Review Committee (ARC):
When an exterior modification project is more complex and does not meet the qualifications to be approved at staff level, the project is reviewed by the Clifton ARC at its next regularly scheduled meeting in which there is a quorum. ARC meetings are normally the 2nd or 4th Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm. The meetings take place in Room 101 at 444 South Fifth St. The ARC consists of four volunteer members from the neighborhood, one resident, an architect, a real estate professional, and an owner of income producing property. Two Landmarks Commissioners and a designee from Metro Codes and Regulations are also committee members. The Clifton Preservation District guidelines are the basis for the staff and committee decisions.
Preservation District History:
- Metro Council created the Clifton Preservation District on September 25, 2003, after the required citizen petition and Landmarks commission approval.
- Designated neighborhood volunteers then examined the Landmarks “generic” architectural guidelines, tailored thirty (30) rule changes and exemptions specifically for Clifton, and, in May, 2004, produced customized Clifton Guidelines ready for Metro Council review and adoption.
- “Post-Merger” priorities hindered Metro Council from adopting the tailored Clifton Guidelines for three years, until July, 2007. (Consequently, during those three years, staff and the ARC could apply only the earlier Landmarks “generic” guidelines rather than the tailored Clifton Guidelines.)
- In 2010, in response to some residents’ concerns, one of Clifton’s 19 Guidelines sections, the Windows Guidelines, underwent a second revision process. Among other changes, the criteria for repairing versus replacing historic windows were extended and clarified, and the ARC’s review role was expanded. Metro Council adopted these revised Clifton Windows Guidelines in December, 2010.
- In 2011, in response to additional concerns from residents, the Clifton ARC called for the remaining 18 of Clifton’s Guidelines sections to also undergo a second comprehensive review, and organized a “Clifton Preservation District Guidelines Review Task Force” to implement that process.
- Task Force volunteers were sought among Clifton residents, property owners, and business owners; solicitations were broadcast by all available means, including email distribution list and the Clifton Quarterly newsletter hand-delivered to most Clifton addresses. Three Clifton ARC members also volunteered to participate.
- In November, 2011, the Clifton ARC ultimately appointed 11 residents and business owners to the Clifton Preservation District Guidelines Review Task Force. Herb Fink was appointed to serve as Chair of the Task Force. He serves as the Chair of the Old Louisville Preservation District ARC. The first task force meeting was held on November 29, 2011, and the last public task force meeting concluded on October 16, 2012.
- The Editing Group of the Task Force immediately began their work to finalize the guidelines into final form, including page layout, illustrations, photos and final revisions. This process concluded in July 2013, and the revised guidelines were presented to the Clifton ARC at its meeting on August 28, 2013.
- The Clifton ARC began its review and change process in December, 2013, and concluded its meetings in May 2014.
- The 19 revised Clifton guideline text changes were approved by the Clifton ARC on July 9, 2014. The Landmarks Commission approved them on August 21, 2014, and Metro Council on October 14, 2014.
- The illustrated color version of the 19 revised guidelines were posted on the Metro website in November, 2016.
Clifton Historic District
Clifton was first listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 based on the area’s significance related to architecture, education, and industry between the years 1870 and 1930. At the time of listing, 623 buildings were listed as contributing historically and architecturally to the district and approximately 40 buildings were included as non-contributing. In 1994 the original National Register District was expanded based on community planning and historic development contexts. This expansion included an additional 200 acres, and added 332 contributing and 129 non-contributing sites and two contributing and no non-contributing structures to Clifton’s inventory of resources.
Four buildings within the Clifton Preservation District are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
Clifton was first listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 based on the area’s significance related to architecture, education, and industry between the years 1870 and 1930. At the time of listing, 623 buildings were listed as contributing historically and architecturally to the district and approximately 40 buildings were included as non-contributing. In 1994 the original National Register District was expanded based on community planning and historic development contexts. This expansion included an additional 200 acres, and added 332 contributing and 129 non-contributing sites and two contributing and no non-contributing structures to Clifton’s inventory of resources.
Four buildings within the Clifton Preservation District are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
- The Albert A. Stoll Firehouse/Hook and Ladder Company #3 (listed in 1980 as a contributor to the thematic “Firehouses of Louisville” National Register nomination) at 1761 Frankfort Avenue;
- Widman’s Saloon and Grocery/Irish Rover Pub (listed in 1990) at 2319 Frankfort Avenue;
- Clifton’s Three Mile Tollhouse/Ray Parella’s, (listed in 1990) at 2311 Frankfort Avenue; and
- St. Frances of Rome School/Clifton Center, (listed in 1987) at 2117 Payne Street.
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