[MassHistPres] Demo Delay Question

[Sullivan, Charles M.]

The Cambridge Historical Commission always evaluates the replacement
structure when deciding whether the existing building is preferably
preserved or not (see Cambridge City Code, Ch. 2.78, Article II;
http://bpc.iserver.net/codes/cbridge/index.htm?tnltext=City%20Ordinances
).

The code defines a "Preferably preserved significant building" as "any
significant building which the Commission determines, as provided in
Section 2.78.090D of this chapter, that it is in the public interest to
be preserved or rehabilitated rather than to be demolished." We consider
that the public interest cannot be well served unless the Commission
evaluates the character of the proposed replacement structure in the
context of its surroundings. 

The Commission occasionally shortens a six month demolition delay for a
preferably preserved significant building if the proponent is able to
incorporate it into the replacement project or improve the design of the
replacement building.

At the same time, we sometimes have to refrain from exercising undue
control over the details of the replacement project. We do not consider
that our mandate under the demolition delay ordinance includes the finer
points of design review, such as we would exercise in an historic
district.

Charles Sullivan

________________________________
Charles M. Sullivan, Executive Director
Cambridge Historical Commission
831 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, Mass.  02139
617 349-4684 voice, 349-3116 fax

-----Original Message-----
From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Stowell, Stephen
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 2:57 PM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Demo Delay Question

Can an Historical Commission, as a condition of waiving demolition delay
and thus allowing demolition, require that what replaces the demolished
structure be subject to design review and approval by the local body?  A
colleague asked me this today and not being well-versed in the
intricacies of demo delay, thought I would throw it out there.

Thanks!
------------
Preserve America Community

National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Preservation Honor
Award

National Trust for Historic Preservation Distinctive Destination
Community

Stephen Stowell
Administrator
Lowell Historic Board
JFK Civic Center
50 Arcand Drive
Lowell, MA  01852
(978) 446-7200 x1443
(978) 970-4262 fax
Sstowell at lowellma.gov
www.historiclowell.net


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