The most restrictive protection that the City can grant a neighborhood is a Historic Preservation overlay. For the vast majority of Midtown, this is overkill. But what does it actually involve? Are residents required to paint their houses an approved color, get permission for remodeling, or keep satellite dishes off their roofs? No.
An HP overlay codifies a list of common-sense guidelines tailored to protect the architectural distinctiveness of a notable neighborhood. Tulsa's first HP overlay was the Brady Heights district of 1904-1930 homes. Among other regulations, residents are strongly discouraged from installing vinyl siding, enclosing their front porches to make new rooms, and installing replacement windows with bare aluminum framing. Maintenance costs are higher, but the growth of property values outpaces similar unprotected neighborhoods. Photo courtesy Tulsa Preservation Commission
