Page 39 - Plano, TX Heritage Preservation Plan

CHAPTER 4:
PRESERVATION IN PLANO

HISTORY OF THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION

PROGRAM

In the 1970s, Plano was growing and changing rapidly. The City recognized that
the increase in population, the changes in Plano’s land uses, and the overall
change in Plano’s economy were a threat to preserving the community’s
heritage resources. In 1979, Plano’s City Council adopted the original Historic
Landmark Preservation Ordinance, which established the city’s heritage
preservation program and a seven-member Historical Landmark Committee
(HLC) to administer the ordinance. The HLC was tasked with educating historic
property owners on the benefits of preservation and encouraging them to
designate their properties. The city’s first preservation plan was adopted in
1981, which identified potential heritage resources and established goals for Dedication of Downtown NRHP Plaque - Dec. 2017
the program.

As a result of the first preservation plan and subsequent updates, Plano’s
heritage preservation program works toward identifying and preserving the
community’s heritage resources, partnering with organizations and community
groups to accomplish key goals in the program, and educating Plano’s citizens
about its history and key heritage resources. The timeline on the following
pages illustrates the history of Plano’s heritage preservation program, putting it
in context of key national and statewide preservation accomplishments.
Individually Designated Heritage Resource Plaque
Proclamation at May 2018 City Council Meeting: May is National Historic
Preservation Month and encourages the saving of historic American
treasures.

“This community designation
program, combined with the
Preserve America Presidential
Awards and federal support,
provides strong incentives for
continued preservation of our
cultural and natural heritage
resources. I commend Plano and
its leaders for their commitment
to preserving an important part
of our nation’s historic past for
visitors, neighbors, and, most
importantly, for children.”
- First Lady Laura Bush, 2006

NOVEMBER 2018 chapter 4: preservation in plano 39