[MassHistPres] district commission membership

[Jill Fisher]

In my opinion, the most important qualification for all members of a historic preservation commission is  demonstrated interest and/or training in preservation, e.g. having restored one's home/building, having attended a National Trust Preservation Conference, etc.
 
One of the things I think must be guarded against is having a majority of members who are financially and philosophically invested in development - which includes realtors, architects, land use lawyers, contractors, and chamber of commerce types.  Yes, their professional expertise is valuable, but too many of them on a board where they are not balanced out by "regular folk" and historians who are passionate about saving the historic character of their communities leads to unfortunate decisions.
 
The best HPC members I have ever experienced (in several communities) are primary and secondary teachers.  They command respect in a community and are able to influence through their experience as educators.  Jill Fisher, AICPPrincipal PlannerLarson Fisher Associates, Inc.Historic Preservation & Planning ServicesPO Box 1394Woodstock, NY 12498845-679-5054jillfisher47 at hotmail.comwww.larsonfisher.com> Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:38:14 -0400> From: Ellen.Lipsey at cityofboston.gov> To: blever3043 at aol.com; masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] district commission membership> > Boston Landmarks Commission, not a 40C district, has requirements for> commission candidates from the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, the> Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Boston Society of Landscape> Architects, and the American Planning Association, in addition to the> Boston Society of Architects, Historic New England, and the Mayor> at-large. It is very helpful to a wide range of professional expertise.> And, it gives balance and credibility to the commission, provided the> candidates have an interest in preservation and, if possible, some prior> experience on boards or commissions and/or going before preservation> commissions. > > > Ellen J. Lipsey> Executive Director> Boston Landmarks Commission> City Hall, Room 805> Boston, MA 02201> 617-635-3850 ph> 617-635-3435 fax> ellen.lipsey at cityofboston.gov> > -----Original Message-----> From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of blever3043 at aol.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 11:23 AM> To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> Subject: [MassHistPres] district commission membership> > Hello,> > I am looking for examples of membership requirements different historic> district commissions?have aside from the standard lawyer, realtor, and> architect.? I have seen some commissions have a banker any other> professional requirement examples out there?> > > Thanks,> > Brian Lever> ******************************> For administrative questions regarding this list, please contact> Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us directly. PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY" TO THE> WHOLE LIST. > MassHistPres mailing list> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu> http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres> ********************************> -----------------------------------------> The substance of this message, including any attachments, may be> confidential, legally privileged and/or exempt from disclosure> pursuant to Massachusetts law. It is intended> solely for the addressee. If you received this in error, please> contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.> > ******************************> For administrative questions regarding this list, please contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us directly. PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY" TO THE WHOLE LIST. > MassHistPres mailing list> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu> http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres> ********************************