Historic & Architectural Review Commission - HARC

Historic & Architectural Review Commission (HARC) Meetings

The Historic & Architectural Review Commission (HARC) meets on the second Monday of every month at 5:30 PM in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. Deadlines for these meetings are 21 days before the meeting date before noon. Contact the City of Paducah Department of Planning at 270-444-8690 if you have any questions about the Historic and Architectural Review Commission.

Recent agendas are posted below.

Agenda - March 21, 2022
Agenda - March 14, 2022
Agenda - January 10, 2022
Agenda - November 8, 2021
Agenda - October 11, 2021
Agenda - September 13, 2021
Agenda - August 9, 2021
Agenda - June 14, 2021

HARC Minutes

DRAFT Update to Neighborhood Design Standards for H-1

Downtown - Draft Design Standards for H-1 Zone: Historic Downtown

About HARC

The City of Paducah Historical and Architectural Review Commission was established under KRS 100.217. HARC is a special board of adjustment, which has sole and exclusive jurisdiction as a Board of Adjustment over historic zones and the Neighborhood Services Zone (NSZ) within the City. The HARC consists of five members, each appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Commission. The HARC is a highly specialized administrative body. Where practical, its membership is to include at least two preservation related professional members from the fields of architecture history, archaeology, history, planning, or related fields. All members shall have an interest in historic preservation and a background of historical study. When one or two professionals are not available, the Mayor may appoint other persons interested in historic preservation to serve.

Forms and Applications

HARC's main duty is the power to review and approve application for a Certificate of Appropriateness or a Certificate of Zoning Compliance. The City of Paducah's zoning ordinance states that no person shall cause or permit changes in the exterior appearance of real estate lying within a historical zone or the NSZ without first applying for and obtaining a special conditional use permit, to be known as a Certificate of Appropriateness or Certificate of Zoning Compliance. Other duties carried on by the HARC include, but are not limited to

Hold Public Hearings
Review and approve conditional uses in the H-1 or H-2 Zone
Review and approve dimensional variances in the H-1 or H-2 Zone
Review and approve Non-Conforming Uses in the H-1 or H-2 Zone
Conduct Administrative Reviews
Hear Zoning Appeals and render decisions
Administer Certificates of Land Use Restriction for structures in the H-1 or H-2 Zone
Review sites for Designation of Historic Districts, Landmarks and Landmark sites within the city
Review sites for Nomination to the National Register of Historic Places within the city

HARC Membership

Heather Coltharp (term expires June 4, 2024)
Amanda Johnson (term expires June 4, 2024)
Christopher Jones (term expires June 4, 2024)
Greg McCord (term expires March 9, 2024)
Melinda Winchester (term expires March 9, 2024)

Paducah's Historic Zones

The City of Paducah has several historic districts and historic properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Paducah has two types of historic zones: the H-1 Historic Commercial Zone, which covers the Market House / Second Street area and the H-2 Historic Neighborhood Zone which includes the Lower Town area. The purpose of the historic zones is to encourage the development, redevelopment and preservations of the City of Paducah's historic areas. The Historic & Architectural Review Commission reviews all nominations to the Historic Register locally.

Advisory Design Guidelines - guidelines to Paducah's historic neighborhoods.

Demolition Control Zone - includes a map and information about the process of demolishing buildings in historic areas.

Historic & Architectural Review Commission - HARC