Environmental Setting and Historic Site Evaluation Process

How to Apply for a Change of Environmental Setting or  a Historic Site Evaluation

As defined in the Historic Preservation Ordinance, an Environmental Setting is an area of land (including or within property boundaries) to which a historic resource relates visually and/or historically and which is essential to the integrity of the historic resource. Environmental Settings are established by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) as part of the HPC's evaluation of a Historic Site or as part of the HPC's review of a development application affecting a Historic Site.

Request an Application Form

Environmental Setting Application Form                Historic Site Evaluation Application Form

Application Submission

Applications should be mailed or faxed to:

        Historic Preservation Section M-NCPPC                               FAX 301-952-3612
        14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive
        Upper Marlboro, MD 20772                                           Questions? 301-952-3520

Application Review Process

After an application is accepted as complete by staff, a public hearing before the HPC will be scheduled. The HPC meets on the third Tuesday of each month (except August); an application must be received and accepted by the previous month's meeting date to be placed on the agenda. Staff will notify an affected municipality and County Council representative.

Staff Recommendation

Preservation staff will visit and photograph the property and prepare maps, and a staff report with recommendations for the HPC.

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

The applicant will be notified of the time and place of the meeting and receive a copy of the staff recommendation. During the public hearing the HPC will review staff recommendations and receive comments from the applicant and other interested parties. Attendance at the hearing is not mandatory.

HPC Decisions

A written decision of the HPC's action will be produced within 15 days of the close of the case record.