HISTORIC PRESERVATION

The City of Huntsville has four locally designated historic districts – Twickenham, Old Town, Five Points, and Alabama A&M University.

Historic district designation means that these neighborhoods have been recognized by the National Park Service, the State of Alabama, and the City of Huntsville as being architecturally and/or historically significant to the community. These historic resources make an important contribution to the city’s character, economy, and quality of life. The purpose of the Commission, then, is to ensure that the historic districts are preserved for the future.

All properties within the districts are subject to design review by the Huntsville Historic Preservation Commission for any exterior changes to structures or to properties prior to issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness or building permit. The commission meets on the second Monday of each month and applications are due on or before the last Monday of each month.

The Commission consists of nine members, six of whom are appointed by the Mayor to serve six-year staggered terms. The remaining three members include the Director of the City Planning Department, the City Building Official, and one member of the City Council, whose terms correspond with the terms of their office. The commission was created by ordinance No. 72-47 adopted March 23, 1972.

QUALIFICATIONS
Commissioners must have experience, professional or otherwise, in one or more of the following fields: historic preservation, history, architecture, community development or planning. It is beneficial for members to have a background in architecture and historic building materials as they must be proficient in reading architectural drawings and be knowledgeable of construction methods and materials. City ordinance requires that at least three of the appointed Commissioners live in one of the locally designated historic districts. At least eight hours of training are required each year, which is reported to the Alabama Historical Commission.

Frank Nola – Chair
Years of service: 5/4/2020-5/3/2026

Sheree Holland – Vice Chair
Years of service: 12/7/2017-12/7/2029

Peter Lowe
Years of service: 5/3/2003-5/3/2027

Katie Davis
Years of service: 7/8/2024-7/8/2030

Drenda King
Years of service: 4/24/2013-6/3/2025

John Kvach
Years of service: 12/7/2017-6/7/2027

Representative from City Council
Bill Kling
Years of service: 11/8/2018 –

Randy Cunningham, Representative from City of Huntsville Inspection Department
Years of service: 4/13/2009-

Dennis Madsen, City of Huntsville Manager of Urban and Long-Range Planning
Years of service: 9/9/2013-


RELATED LINKS:  Alabama Historic Commission, Historic Markers, Home History, Preservation and Research, National Register of Historic Places, National Trust for Historic Preservation, U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards 


KNOW YOUR HUNTSVILLE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

Contact
  • Phone:

    256-650-4779

  • Address:

    Historic Preservation Office

    Huntsville City Hall

    4th Floor

    305 Fountain Circle

    Huntsville, Alabama 35801

  • Email:

    Katherine.Stamps@huntsvilleal.gov

    Katie Stamps

    Historic Preservation Planner

  • Hours:

    Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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