[MassHistPres] Historic District Fees

[Stowell, Stephen]

Lowell Historic Board (MA) is allowed to set and collect application fees and to disburse all monies collected to further the purposes of its state legislation (Chapter 566, Acts of 1983; Lowell Historic District Act). As set by the Board in 1984, the fees were: 

1.Signage - $25 

2. Minor Development (painting, in-kind repairs, masonry cleaning, lighting, and other items of a minor nature delegated to staff for approval by the Legislature and Board) - $25 

3. Major Development (everything else like demolition, complete rehabilitation, new construction, etc. requiring a Public Hearing) was based on a graduated scale depending upon project cost - under $2,500 - $25; $2,500-$4,999 - $50; $5,000-$9,999 - $75; $10,000-$99,999 - $100; $100,000-$249,00 - $125; over $250,000 - $150 

4.  Non profits received a 50% reduction in fee.

In 2002, the Board undertook the first review of its fee structure since it was created in 1984.  What was found were inequities between those with higher cost projects paying a lower percentage of fee with less expensive projects paying a higher percentage of fee.  After this analysis and comparison with other similar agencies, in early 2003 the Board voted to adopt the current fee schedule that addressed the inequities and established fees that were based upon a percentage of a project's cost.  The current fee schedule is -

1.  Signage - $25

2.  Minor Development - 1/4 of 1% of total project cost (never less than $25 with a cap of $1,000)

3.  Major Development - 1/2 of 1% of total project cost (never less than $50 with a cap of $2,000)

4.  Non-profits receive a 50% discount on the fee but the total fee is never less than the minimums noted.

Hope this helps!
----------
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



-----Original Message-----
From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu]On Behalf Of Jop, Meghan
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 10:50 AM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Historic District Fees


 
Good Afternoon,
The Town of Wellesley is considering raising the review fee for
Certificates of Appropriateness for the Local Historic Districts. The
current fee is $25 and barely covers the cost of advertising, let alone
notice to abutters. Could other towns let us know what their fees are?
Any information would be great. Thanks.
 
Meghan C. Jop, AICP
Town Planner
Wellesley Planning Department
mjop at wellesleyma.gov
(P) 781-431-1019 ext. 2234
 
Please note my email has changed.
 
When responding, please be advised, the Town of Wellesley and the
Secretary of State have determined that email could be considered a
public record.
 
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