Fall 2022
Haggard Park Heritage District Design Standards
Wins Gold Award
Updating Heritage District Design Standards helps Plano in preserving the historic character and integrity of our older neighborhoods.

The Haggard Park Heritage District (HPHD) design standards received the 2022 Planning Achievement, Gold Award under Historic Preservation category from the American Planning Association - Texas Chapter (APA-TX). The award recognizes a planning project, initiative or endeavor that is historically significant and that may be used or accessed by the public.

The HPHD design standards, a complete rewrite of previous design guidelines, were adopted in 2021 and continue to educate property owners and others on the importance of preservation and best preservation practices. The highly graphic and user-friendly document clarifies what changes are appropriate to historic homes in the district. The Standards promote rehabilitation and redevelopment that is sensitive to the surrounding historical context and protects the historical integrity of HPHD.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Attends Heritage Training
In July 2022, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Maria Tu attended the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) conference, FORUM 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio, with staff and Heritage Commission members.

NAPC’s FORUM is the only national conference focused on the issues facing local historic preservation boards and commissions. The Forum featured interactive educational sessions, thoughtfully curated mobile tours, a chance to connect with fellow preservationists from across the country and the Commission Excellence Awards.
See Heritage Tax Exemption Ordinance Amendment and Upcoming Deadlines
In August 2022, the Heritage Tax Exemption (HTE) Ordinance was updated to improve efficiency of the program and provide additional benefits to participating properties. Major changes and property owner related benefits include:

  • A more streamlined process with increased flexibility to grant exemptions.
  • New waiver process to allow partial exemptions.
  • Resume Heritage Commission review of appeals and combine it with extensions requests in January meeting.

Upcoming Repair Deadline – January 1, 2023
As part of the program, annual site inspections are conducted in January to verify that structures are being maintained in accordance with program requirements and a copy of the 2022 inspection report (survey form) were mailed to each of the participating properties. Repairs for all items rated as Poor (P) condition in your survey form must be completed by January 1, 2023, to remain eligible for participation in the program for 2023.
Congratulations to our 2022-23
Heritage Preservation Grants Recipients!

Three Plano nonprofits were recently awarded Heritage Preservation Grants. The Plano City Council approved grant funds in the amount of $726,613 for 2022-2023 grant season.

The recipients are:

Plano offers a heritage preservation grant to local nonprofit organizations that support heritage preservation, heritage education and heritage tourism in the city. Grant funds may be used for projects consisting of historical programming, historic preservation advocacy and some historic restoration projects.

Additionally, $73,387 was approved to plan activities related to Plano’s 150th anniversary celebrations in 2023.

Funds to support this grant are generated from Plano's hotel/motel tax revenue and the proposed projects and programs funded by the grant program must demonstrate how each will promote tourism in Plano and support the city’s hospitality industry.
Aldridge House Receives Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Designation
The Aldridge House at 1615 H Avenue in Haggard Park Heritage District (HPHD) was recently designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL). Built in 1918 for the Aldridge family, the unique Prairie style house stands as a tangible reminder of the architectural heritage of the people who shaped the development of the area.

In April 2022, the marker unveiling ceremony was well attended by Mayor John B. Muns, several City Council members, Heritage Commission members, Collin County Historical Commission members and an Aldridge family descendant who sold the house to current property owner, Clint Haggard.
Certificates of Appropriateness Activity
City of Plano
Planning Department
972-941-7151