The City of Elizabethtown has a rich history of buildings, structures and landscapes. These resources define the character of our community and serve as a reminder of our past. Preserving our architectural and cultural history is of vital importance in maintaining the economy of the city.
Through the Planning & Development Department and the Historic Preservation Commission, the City of Elizabethtown has established preservation planning programs and processes to meet the goal of preserving, protecting, and celebrating our historic places. The City has established a Historic Preservation ordinance (Chapter 34.060 of the Elizabethtown Code of Ordinances), utilizing the Historic Preservation Commission to approve Certificates of Appropriateness for exterior alterations of buildings and sites within the historic district. The downtown area centered around the Public Square is the only historic district in the city.
Alterations to the exterior of buildings, structures or sites within a historic preservation district are reviewed for conformance with preservation guidelines and standards adopted by the Historic Preservation Commission, as well as the U.S Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.
Public Engagement Meeting
March 19, 2025
6:00 pm at the Historic State Theater, WesBanco Gallery
At the direction of City Council, staff of Planning & Development is considering the expansion of the downtown historic district. At the public meeting, information was discussed about the Comprehensive Plan, policies and guidelines of historic preservation, and the existing boundaries of the downtown historic District. The Kentucky Heritage Council attended the meeting to discuss programs and policies of their office, the difference between the National Register of Historic Places and local preservation, and the economic benefits of preservation.
Key Points from the meeting
The Comprehensive Plan provides goals and objectives for the development of Elizabethtown. Including goals for preservation and the downtown.
The City of Elizabethtown has a preservation ordinance, which establishes a Historic Preservation Commission, and requires a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior alterations within the historic district.
Expansion of the historic district could include, 1) expansion of the existing boundaries; 2) creation of a new historic district(s); or 3) designation of individual landmarks.
Designation of historic resources can include buildings, structures or sites.
The Historic Preservation Commission has adopted guidelines for appropriate alterations to the exterior of buildings, structures or sites.
The Commission also uses national standards from the National Park Service as guides to approve exterior alterations.
The difference between local preservation districts and the National Register of Historic Places.
The economic benefits of preservation.
March 19, 2025 Public Meeting Presentation
