New signs delineate historic areas

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, October 22, 2002

Confused about what historic district you live in?

Travel over to Jeff Davis Avenue, Dallas Avenue or the Smitherman Building and check out the signs, put up Monday by the Selma Community Development department, to see where you live.

These signs, said Selma Community Development Director Elizabeth Driggers, will enable people to check out which of the three historic districts &045;&045; Old Town, Riverview or Ice House &045;&045; they live in and the responsibilities that come with living there.

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Residents living in a historic district who want to do renovations on their home must file a building permit with the city, Driggers said. But, in the historic commission, there is an additional set of rules and regulations to follow, right down to what colors are allowed to be painted on the house’s exterior.

And the consequences for those who disregard the requirements if caught?

For those who think they can slip by without being caught, Driggers is no stranger to the historic district. She chatted with co-worker Patty Sexton as they drove down the streets linking Jeff Davis to Dallas, pointing out different projects along the way.

Sexton said that many times, realtors do not tell home buyers about the responsibilities of living in a historic district and the rules and regulations they must follow. That is why the community development office has started this campaign to educate them, she added.