PRESENTER: Presenter
Katie Totman, Historic Preservation Officer
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of the first reading of an ordinance to amend the City’s Code of Ordinances, Chapter 66 Historic Preservation, Section 66-57.1, Incentives.
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DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood & Community Planning
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Case No: ORD25-370
Staff Contact: Katie Totman, Historic Preservation Officer
(830) 221-4086 | ktotman@newbraunfels.gov
ISSUE:
Chapter 66 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, Section 66-57.1, currently provides tax relief and incentives for the rehabilitation, stabilization, and renovation of designated historic landmarks and properties located within local historic districts. Such incentives are intended to encourage landmarking and preservation of historic structures and cultural resources. However, through collaboration with the Comal Appraisal District, it was noted that the ordinance lacks clarity in several areas, leading to administrative challenges for both entities in providing consistent guidance to applicants. These challenges discourage participation, thereby diminishing the success of the incentive program.
Specifically:
1. Eligibility for Consecutive Tax Relief Terms: Currently, applicants are required to submit the initial request for tax relief which, if approved, would be applied for a five (5) year period. At the end of the five (5) year period they are required to re-apply for a second five (5) year period.
2. Qualification for Tax Relief: The way in which the tax relief is determined is inconsistent with the current State Tax Code.
3. Inclusion of Local Historic Landmarks: Currently, properties inside a local historic district are eligible to receive a 20% reduction on their ad valorem city property taxes annually. It is recommended to also include standalone local historic landmarks, meaning those not already in a local historic district, in receiving this incentive to encourage designation of individual properties that may not meet the eligibility requirements of the rehabilitation incentive.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REFERENCE:
Action 1.11: Update policies and codes to achieve development patterns that implement the goals of this plan.
Action 2.5: Encourage diversification of commercial activity Downtown to build on and sustain existing historic resources and maximize structure utilization for economic expansion.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☒Community Identity
☒Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
Community Identity Objective 2:
This code amendment advances goals of the LDO including streamlined processes and encourages the preservation and rehabilitation of our historic resources.
Organizational Excellence Objective 2:
This code amendment demonstrates a cooperative relationship with other jurisdictions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The existing incentive would remain, and be restructured for clarity, consistency, streamlining, and ease of use and application.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
The Historic Landmark Commission reviewed the proposed amendments at their regular meeting on January 13, 2026, and recommended the proposed changes by a vote of 7 in favor and none opposed. Staff concurs with the recommendation to approve the proposed amendments.