History

A significant portion of the city of Venice was initially developed in accordance with a master plan prepared in 1925 by John Nolen, a nationally renowned city planner. The city has benefitted greatly from the Nolen city plan as a guide and vehicle for orderly development, including the layout of a master street system with broad avenues and boulevards, the designation of residential, commercial, public, and industrial areas, and particularly the provision for adequate parks and open spaces.

 The initial development of the city under the Nolen city plan was subject to architectural review and control that established a thematic design concept of the Italian Renaissance style. A significant number of structures built prior to 1930 were of the Italian Renaissance style (hereinafter referred to as the “Nolen Era”) and approximately 140 such structures remain in existence today. These structures provide a distinctive theme and charm, which the City desires to maintain and preserve. The John Nolen Plan of Venice Historic District is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is included in the City’s Comprehensive Plan as Map LU-10. 

The City continues to believe that the preservation of the historical planning and architectural integrity of the community, and the regulation of general aesthetics in certain areas of the city, furthers a proper public purpose by preserving and enhancing the beauty and charm of the city, enhancing the attractiveness of the area for tourists, residents and commerce, improving the local economy, improving property values and generally improving the overall quality of life of city residents and visitors.

Historic and Architectural Preservation Board

The Historic and Architectural Preservation Board (HAPB) has been established to implement the City’s goals for preservation and architectural design. The Board has the following responsibilities:

• conducting studies and make recommendations on matters of historical and architectural interest and preservation;
• processing requests for inclusion of properties, structures, and landmarks to the local historic register; establish local historic architectural control districts;
• administering historic preservation, architectural, and aesthetic standards to apply in appropriate areas or districts of the city;
• and furthering public awareness of the City’s past and of preservation in general and to develop programs to stimulate public interest and involvement in historic, architectural, and cultural preservation.

The HAPB oversees two Historic Architectural Control Districts, Historic Venice and Venetian Theme. These districts are described on the right side of this page and shown on the map.

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