On May 1, 2018, the first meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) was held at Winterville City Hall.
Mayor Dodd Ferrell and the City Council passed an Ordinance to form this Commission:
In support and furtherance of its findings and determination that the historical, cultural, and aesthetic heritage of the City of Winterville is among its most valued and important assets and that the preservation of this heritage is essential to the promotion of the health, prosperity, and general welfare of the people;
In order to stimulate revitalization of the business districts and historic neighborhoods and to protect and enhance local historic and aesthetic attractions to tourists and thereby promote and stimulate business;
In order to enhance the opportunities for federal and state benefits under relevant provisions of federal or state law; and
In order to provide for the designation, protection, preservation, and rehabilitation of historic properties and historic districts and to participate in federal or state programs to do the same;
The Winterville City Council hereby declare it to be the purpose and intent of this Ordinance to establish a uniform procedure for use in providing for the protection, enhancement, perpetuation, and use of places, districts, sites, buildings, structures, objects, and landscape features having a special historical cultural or aesthetic interest or value, in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance.
The first Historic Preservation Commission board members (Kim Burch, president; Jonathan Frye, vice president; Aaron Watwood, secretary; James Tucker, Nancy Tucker, and Charles Burch) met and began the long and detailed work to create the Historic District and the Historic Guidelines.
Enlisting the help of the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission (NEGARC), with Jordan Shoemaker at the helm, the commission discussed guidelines from comparable cities. The specifics of each section were researched and revised to fit the feel and culture of the City of Winterville and its goals.
Dr. Scott Nesbitt of the University of Georgia undertook as a class project the daunting task of helping to determine the district boundaries. His class helped gather the many photographs used in the Guidelines.
Mark Beatty of NEGARC led the commission in approving the final draft of the Historic District Maps and Guidelines. The HPC is grateful for his guidance.
The Historic Districts contain within them different cultural areas and are named for the central feature of the area.
The Guidelines are meant to be just that—guidelines—that not only protect private property rights but also serve the purpose of protecting Winterville’s unique aesthetics and culture.
Download a Copy of the Historic Preservation Commission Guidelines
Download the Map of Historic Districts
Download the Map of Historic Districts Satellite View
Planning on bulding something on your property? Always check in with Winterville's Planning & Zoning Committee to secure the poper permits. Call City Hall at 706-742-8600 or check 