Laredo, TX Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

The historic district/landmark board was created to assume the duties of the former Urban Development Action Grant program and the San Agustin Architectural Board. It has nine citizen members, one appointed by each council member and the mayor, serving staggered four-year terms capped at two consecutive terms. At least one board member must attend an annual education meeting sponsored by the Texas Historical Commission. Under Sec. 2, the board meets monthly in open, noticed sessions and reviews every application to demolish, remove, alter, restore, or reconstruct a structure located within a designated historic district, or any building separately designated a locally significant historic landmark.

Its review is guided by the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, but the board has no authority to weigh in on a structure's interior arrangement, interior design, or proposed use, and repairs that do not change a building's exterior appearance are exempt from its review entirely. Where an application involves demolition or partial demolition, the board may postpone the demolition for up to 90 days rather than approving or denying it outright, giving preservation advocates time to negotiate alternatives. Any property owner or other person aggrieved by a board decision has 30 days from the date the order is issued to file a written appeal to the city council, which then has final say.

The board also reports to the Texas Historical Commission on any actions affecting a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, National Register property, or archaeological landmark within city limits, and it advises the city council, planning and zoning commission, and city departments on preservation funding and district designations.