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This section establishes special policies for historic buildings within the borough based upon the Haines historic building survey, the existing designated Fort William H. Seward National Landmark and the guidance of the State Office of History and Archeology’s rules and regulations. The Haines Borough seeks to accomplish the preservation and rehabilitation of buildings of historic significance within the community. The borough recognizes the quality of significance in its history as present in the sites, buildings, structures, location, design, setting, materials and workmanship governed herein. Owners of historic buildings are encouraged to participate in federal, state and local programs to preserve and enhance historic structures.

A. Introduction. These special policies are applied as additional requirements for the approval of development within designated areas or for designated buildings within the borough. The existing zoning classification (e.g., significant structures area, commercial) still applies, but all new development must comply with the following additional requirements. The application of these special policies requires approval of the planning commission.

B. Effect of Historic Building Special Policies. All development within the significant structures area or changes to any of the surveyed historic buildings shall comply with the special approval criteria of HBC 18.60.020(G). The borough shall process the permit application according to the appropriate process under this title except that a separate and possibly concurrent review of the application shall be performed by the planning commission acting as the historic district committee.

C. Historic District Committee. The planning commission shall act as the historic district committee. The commission, acting as the historic district committee, shall conduct or perform the duties established under this section or as required by state or federal regulations. The commission, when acting as the historic district advisory committee, shall endeavor to include within its membership as ex officio members the following composition: one architect or historical architect and one historian or related disciplines.

D. Preexisting Historic Areas. The following are the currently established historic districts:

1. Fort William H. Seward Local Historic District.

a. Description of Appearance. The principal structures are: the barracks, officers’ homes, quartermasters, hospital, fire hall, warehouses and the Port Chilkoot Dock. The structures are situated around the parade grounds set against a backdrop of majestic mountain peaks of the Chilkat Range, overlooking the scenic beauty of the waters of Portage Cove, a portion of the upper Lynn Canal.

b. Statement of Significance. Fort William H. Seward was established in 1898 and garrisoned in 1904; the principal buildings of Fort William H. Seward are the best surviving structures of the 11 military posts erected in Alaska to police the gold rushes of 1897 to 1904. The United States was involved in the boundary dispute with Canada and Fort William H. Seward was the only army post in Alaska between World Wars I and II. In 1945 the fort was closed and declared surplus. On April 4, 1947, a group of veterans arranged under the Port Chilkoot Company, through the War Assets Act, to purchase the fort. In the ensuing three years, it was determined that the quitclaim deed provided by the U.S. government was exercised three days after the expiration of the War Assets Act. An act of Congress was then required to formalize the transaction with Port Chilkoot Company. The act was passed in 1952. Fort William H. Seward was listed as part of the National Historic Site Register in 1972 and thereafter became a national historic landmark in 1978.

c. Geographical Area Defined. The boundaries of the Fort William H. Seward local historic district shall be defined as the exact boundaries certified by the United States National Park Service under authority of the Historic Sites Act adopted by Congress in 1935 and designated as a national landmark in 1978.

2. Heritage Village Site.

a. Description of Appearance. The Heritage Village site was developed on the parade grounds in Fort Wm. H. Seward. Prominent features include a Tlingit tribal house and trapper’s cabin, as well as buildings constructed to house facilities for a salmon bake business.

b. Design Criteria. Development within the Heritage Village site in the parade grounds must be compatible with the architectural style of the existing structures at that site. The commission may, by design review, require or prohibit certain aesthetic values in its sole discretion, ensuring that compatibility standards are met. Architectural design criteria, such as roof pitch, materials, height, lot coverage, scale, buffering, color, texture and finish, which are compatible with the Fort Seward historic image, shall be required as determined by the commission on an individual application basis.

3. Haines Townsite Local Historic District.

a. Description of Appearance. The Haines Townsite local historic district lies in the heart of the current townsite service area, surrounded on all sides by newer development. Regulated under this subsection and of specific interest in a historical perspective are the 35 buildings catalogued in the book “Building History – City of Haines Survey of Historic Structures” conducted by Alaska Archives and Records Management, completed in 1983.

b. Statement of Significance. In 1983, Paul Wellman, Economic Development Coordinator for the city of Haines initiated a project of surveying the various historic buildings within the city of Haines original townsite boundaries. He felt the need to document the building histories to aid and encourage restoration and preservation, and had an understanding of how this information could be used to benefit Haines’ economic development. Most of the buildings designated as historic structures were built between 1910 and 1923, although a few are of earlier vintage. The proliferation of buildings between those years indicated a time when the economy reflected the combined efforts of mining, canneries, agriculture and support services for Fort William Seward. The structures surveyed were built and maintained by people with hopes, dreams and optimism in the community’s future. By tracing their lives and reconstructing the historical facts, an appreciation was gained for the structures these people left behind – tangible symbols of their belief in the quality of life Haines offered to them and to their families.

c. Geographical Area Defined. The boundaries of the Haines Townsite local historic district are defined as the exact boundaries of the original Haines Townsite subdivision. The maps entitled “Fort William H. Seward Local Historic District” and “Haines Townsite Local Historic District” are incorporated as a part of this chapter and are on file in the office of the manager.