Danville has received a grant from the Kentucky Heritage Council to update Danville’s existing historic district design guidelines for both commercial and residential properties.

Danville Director of Codes Bridgette Lester said the city needs more guidance and clarity in the area of historic preservation and the guidelines. 

“The guidelines are used by the architectural review board for design review, but currently lack sufficient detail, illustrations, photos and other information for decision-makers and historic property owners,” according to a news release from KHC. 

Danville is a “certified local government” community, which allowed it to receive $10,800 grant from KHC with a $7,200 local match, for a total of $18,000.

“We’re excited to have received this grant,” Lester said. “This is the largest grant award we’ve received from them.” 

She said the city has applied for the grant for several years, but this year was the largest amount it asked for and got. 

“We appreciate all the help from the Kentucky Heritage Council and thank them for awarding us this grant,” she said. 

Lester said Frankfort went through this same process last year and they took a look at what Frankfort did for further guidance at what they may want to do in Danville. 

According to KHC, the proposed grant projects must be completed by June 30, 2017.

Lester said they are working on a request for proposals, with the hopes of completing it and having it turned in either this week or early next week. Once the paperwork is taken cared of, Lester said they are looking at a start date some time in January. 

Before the project is complete, Lester said there need to be public meetings held for input. She said there is a process for approval that needs to be done as well that includes public hearings for planning and zoning and the city commission. 

According to KHC, Kentucky currently has 23 designated certified local governments with 19 grant projects submitted from those communities. Along with Danville, the Kentucky Heritage Council awarded grants to seven other Kentucky communities.