[MassHistPres] FREE Workshop Series – “Protecting Special Places”

[Joanna_Doherty at nps.gov]

I am pleased to invite you to a series of planning and preservation
workshops, “Protecting Special Places: How to Help Your Community Plan for
Its Future,” sponsored by the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley
National Heritage Corridor Commission, Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage
Corridor, Inc. and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and
Recreation.  A follow-up to the recently completed Heritage Landscape
Inventory project, the workshops will provide information on strategies for
preserving your community’s character for future generations.

Workshops are FREE and open to all.  Local historical commissions, planning
boards, select boards, conservation commissions, municipal staff and
landowners are particularly encouraged to attend.  To come to a workshop,
please RSVP at least two days in advance to Joanna Doherty, Blackstone
Heritage Corridor (joanna_doherty at nps.gov or 401-762-0250) or Bob Levite,
Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor (boblevite at hotmail.com or
508-831-1223 x244).  Directions to workshops are available upon request.

Local Measures to Protect Historic Resources
Wednesday, May 14, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Sutton Town Hall, 4 Uxbridge Road
A variety of strategies are available to help protect the historic
buildings, landscapes and neighborhoods that make your town special.  Learn
the ins-and-outs of three particularly effective, locally-initiated tools:
Local Historic Districts, Neighborhood Architectural Conservation Districts
and Demolition Delay bylaws.  Presented by Christopher Skelly, Director of
Local Government Programs, Massachusetts Historical Commission.

The Community Preservation Act: Strategies for Success
Thursday, May 29, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Oxford Community Center, 4 Maple Road
The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a powerful tool for historic
preservation, open space protection, affordable housing and recreational
opportunities.  This workshop will discuss the benefits of the CPA and
strategies for a successful CPA campaign, and provide information on a
special initiative to help central Massachusetts towns pass the CPA.
Presented by Kathy Roth, Associate Director, Community Preservation
Coalition.

Smart Growth and Preservation
Thursday, June 5, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Dudley Municipal Complex, 71 West Main Street
The “smart growth” approach to development focuses on sustainability, in
part through zoning mechanisms that encourage concentrated development and
support existing settlement patterns.  Learn about two such tools: Smart
Growth Zoning (Chapter 40R) and Village Center Zoning.  Presented by Eric
Hove, Acting Director of Land Use Policy, Executive Office of Energy and
Environmental Affairs and Bill Reyelt, Smart Growth Program Coordinator,
Department of Housing and Community Development.

What about Open Space? Balancing Development and Preservation
Thursday, June 12, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Douglas Municipal Center, 29 Depot Street
Municipalities across the Commonwealth struggle with how to preserve open
space, especially with increased residential development.  This workshop
will focus on two tools that can help your community balance growth with
preservation: Open Space Residential Design and Transfer of Development
Rights.  Presented by Eric Hove, Acting Director of Land Use Policy,
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

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This workshop series is being offered as a follow-up to the Heritage
Landscape Inventory, a partnership between the John H. Chafee Blackstone
River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission, the Quinebaug-Shetucket
Heritage Corridor, Inc. and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation
and Recreation.  More information about the Inventory, including links to
reconnaissance reports for all of the participating communities, may be
found at www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/histland/Inventoryprog.htm.

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Joanna M. Doherty, Community Planner
John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley
     National Heritage Corridor
One Depot Square
Woonsocket, RI  02895
(401) 762-0250 x14
(401) 762-0530 fax
joanna_doherty at nps.gov