[MassHistPres] demoliton delay

Dennis De Witt djdewitt at rcn.com
Wed Feb 13 13:54:37 EST 2008


Brookline's recently amended by-law is based on 25% of the building  
or one whole facade rather than 25% of a facade.  We can review any  
demolition regardless of age but have only come up to the 50 year  
mark on buildings that were preliminarily deemed significant a few  
times.  Thus far we have had only a couple of partials that made it  
to the commission for consideration.

When the amendment was making its way to Town Meeting we got a lot of  
resistance from one selectman who practices in Newton and was very  
unhappy with the small scaled changes -- e.g. removal of a portico --  
that were deemed demolition there.  And I believe Newton reviews  
everything.  I believe their process is rather different that the  
typical one.  Perhaps someone can fill us in on that.

Dennis De Witt


On Feb 13, 2008, at 1:28 PM, blever3043 at aol.com wrote:

> I think Arlington's situation is a little different in that it uses  
> a list of historically significant properties rather than an age  
> based bylaw.? It would seem then that not as many people would be  
> subjected to the delay that way, resulting in less potential  
> opposition.
>
> Brian Lever
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Worden <jworden at swwalaw.com>
> To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
> Sent: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:39 pm
> Subject: [MassHistPres] demoliton delay
>
>
>
> Some years ago, there was a particularly notorious case in which the
> property owner got a demolition permit by giving the building  
> inspector the
> wrong address, then quickly demolished the building before anyone  
> knew.
> There was a lot of agitation in Town Meeting to strengthen the law,  
> require
> pictures, etc. and I suggested they add this language as well.  It  
> all went
> through without, as I recall, much debate.
>
> J. Worden, Arlington HDC
> & former Moderator
>
>
> **********
>
> This transmittal is intended only for the use of the named recipient,
> and may contain information that is privileged, confidential,
> and/or exempt from disclosure.  If the reader of this transmittal is
> not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any
> dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is
> strictly prohibited.  If you have received this communication in
> error, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all
> copies of this message and any attachments.  Thank you.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu>
> To: <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 12:25 PM
> Subject: MassHistPres Digest, Vol 24, Issue 12
>
>
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>>
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>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>   1. Re: Demolition Delay (Dcolebslade at aol.com)
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
>> -
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:24:15 EST
>> From: Dcolebslade at aol.com
>> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Demolition Delay
>> To: jworden at swwalaw.com, masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
>> Message-ID: <c19.2ec77e84.34e481bf at aol.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>>
>> How did the people of Arlington react to this broad  definition of
>> demolition?  It seems amazing that you could get this  adopted?
>>
>> Betty Slade
>> Westport
>>
>>
>> In a message dated 2/13/2008 11:53:14 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
>> jworden at swwalaw.com writes:
>>
>> The  manner in which "demolition" is defined is also important.   
>> Many an
>> historical building has been so altered without technically being  
>> taken
>> down
>> that it may has well have been.
>>
>> In Arlington, the by-law  (which covers to properties on the  
>> historical
>> inventory) defines  demolition as a change affecting more than 25%  
>> of any
>> one
>> facade of a  building.  This has the effect of giving the HC  
>> design review
>> over  changes to historic properties and has worked out fairly well.
>>
>> J.  Worden
>> Arlington HDC
>>
>>
>> **********
>>
>> This transmittal is  intended only for the use of the named  
>> recipient,
>> and may contain  information that is privileged, confidential,
>> and/or exempt from  disclosure.  If the reader of this transmittal is
>> not the intended  recipient, you are hereby notified that any
>> dissemination, distribution, or  copying of this communication is
>> strictly prohibited.  If you have  received this communication in
>> error, please contact the sender by reply  e-mail and destroy all
>> copies of this message and any attachments.   Thank you.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From:  <masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu>
>> To:  <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 10:21  AM
>> Subject: MassHistPres Digest, Vol 24, Issue 10
>>
>>
>>> Send  MassHistPres mailing list submissions to
>>>  masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
>>>
>>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the  World Wide Web, visit
>>>  http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
>>> or, via email,  send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>>  masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu
>>>
>>> You can reach the person  managing the list at
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>>>
>>>  When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>>>  than "Re: Contents of MassHistPres digest..."
>>>
>>>
>>> Today's  Topics:
>>>
>>>   1. Demolition Delay Bylaws-Description and  Case Studies
>>>      (Chris Skelly)
>>>   2.  Re: Demolition Delay Bylaws-Description and Case Studies
>>>     (Dcolebslade at aol.com)
>>>   3. Re: Demolition Delay  Bylaws-Description and Case Studies
>>>       (Dcolebslade at aol.com)
>>>   4. Re: Demolition Delay  Bylaws-Description and Case Studies
>>>      (Dennis De  Witt)
>>>
>>>
>>>   
>>> -------------------------------------------------------------------- 
>>> --
>>>
>>>  Message: 1
>>> Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:18:50 -0500
>>> From: "Chris  Skelly" <Skelly-MHC at comcast.net>
>>> Subject: [MassHistPres]  Demolition Delay Bylaws-Description and  
>>> Case
>>> Studies
>>> To:  <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
>>> Message-ID:  <000001c86dbc$dedec600$6501a8c0 at Advantage>
>>> Content-Type:  text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>
>>> DEMOLITION DELAY BYLAWS - FOR  UPDATE OF PRESERVATION THROUGH  
>>> BYLAWS AND
>>> ORDINANCES GUIDEBOOK
>>>  I would appreciate your review and comments on the one page  
>>> definition
>>>  we have prepared.  In addition, I am looking for case studies to
>>> include
>>> in our guidebook where a demolition delay bylaw helped to  protect a
>>> significant historic resource.  Thanks for your  assistance.  Chris.
>>>  ******************************************************
>>> What is a  Demolition Delay Bylaw?
>>> A Demolition Delay Bylaw is a general bylaw  that affords public  
>>> review
>>> of demolition permit applications for  potentially significant  
>>> buildings
>>> and can invoke a delay period before  demolition of such  
>>> buildings may
>>> commence.  During the delay  period, the building owner and the
>>> Historical Commission can explore  opportunities to preserve the
>>> threatened resource.  While a  Demolition Delay Bylaw cannot prevent
>>> demolitions indefinitely, the  opportunity of delaying the  
>>> demolition of
>>> a significant resource can  often have a positive outcome.
>>>
>>> How is it adopted?
>>> A  Demolition Delay Bylaw is a general bylaw requiring a majority
>>>  affirmative vote of Town Meeting or City Council. At present  
>>> there is
>>> no
>>> state legislation and is, therefore, adopted pursuant to Home  Rule
>>> authority.  A Demolition Delay Bylaw is most often drafted  by a  
>>> Local
>>> Historical Commission using the MHC Sample Demolition Delay  Bylaw.
>>>
>>> How does it work?
>>> A Demolition Delay Bylaw  defines the threshold for buildings  
>>> which are
>>> subject to review.   Most communities establish a base-line age  
>>> criteria,
>>> usually buildings  50 years or older.  Some Demolition Delay Bylaws
>>> include  categorical inclusions such as inventoried properties,
>>> properties on  the State Register of Historic Places, or properties
>>> listed in or  eligible for inclusion in the National Register.   
>>> In a few
>>> cases,  communities have generated a specific list of buildings  
>>> for which
>>> the  Demolition Delay Bylaw would apply.  Most municipalities in
>>>  Massachusetts should establish an age based bylaw.
>>>
>>> A property  owner requesting a demolition permit from the Building
>>> Department for  a building that is subject to review must first  
>>> receive
>>> approval from  the Historical Commission.  If the Historical  
>>> Commission
>>>  determines at a public hearing that the building is preferably
>>>  preserved, a delay period is imposed.  During the delay period,   
>>> the
>>> Local Historical Commission, the property owner, the general   
>>> public and
>>> concerned individuals explore opportunities that do not  include  
>>> loss of
>>> the building.  However, if the delay period  expires and a  
>>> successful
>>> preservation outcome was not achieved, the  Building Inspector  
>>> can issue
>>> the demolition permit.  A Demolition  Delay Bylaw cannot  
>>> indefinitely
>>> prevent a demolition from occurring.  Communities that are  
>>> seeking to
>>> prevent demolitions should pursue a  Local Historic District Bylaw.
>>>
>>> Each community can specify the  length of the delay in the  
>>> bylaw.  Most
>>> bylaws have a delay  period of 6, 12 or 18 months.  Longer delay  
>>> periods
>>> have provided  better results in preserving threatened buildings,  
>>> and the
>>> MHC  recommends a minimum of 12 months.
>>>
>>> For more information,  contact MHC for assistance in drafting a
>>> Demolition Delay Bylaw, and  for the MHC model Demolition Delay  
>>> Bylaw.
>>>
>>>  *******************************************************
>>> PRESERVATION  THROUGH BYLAWS AND ORDINANCES
>>> The Massachusetts Historical Commission  is updating our guidebook
>>> entitled "Preservation through Bylaws and  Ordinances - Tools and
>>> Techniques for Historic Preservation Used by  Municipalities in
>>> Massachusetts."  This guidebook contains  descriptions on the  
>>> variety of
>>> local bylaws and ordinances currently  in use in Massachusetts for
>>> protecting historic resources and  community character.  The  
>>> guidebook
>>> describes how each bylaw  functions, includes a list of  
>>> municipalities
>>> that have passed each  bylaw and summarizes success stories from  
>>> around
>>> the state.   Originally prepared in 1998, the guidebook has been
>>> incrementally  revised since then.  The current version of the  
>>> guidebook
>>> can be  viewed online at
>>> http://commpres.env.state.ma.us/content/ptbo.asp
>>>
>>> With  assistance from a consultant team, the guidebook is undergoing
>>>  substantial revisions.  These include revising the bylaw   
>>> descriptions,
>>> researching new case study success stories and updating  the list of
>>> cities and towns with each bylaw.
>>>
>>> Each  bylaw will have the following:
>>> The first page will be a bylaw  description summary that can fit  
>>> on one
>>> page.  The next two pages  will include case study success  
>>> stories with
>>> text and  photographs.  The fourth and last page will be the list of
>>>  municipalities with each bylaw.
>>>
>>> The draft list of bylaws to  include in the guidebook is below:
>>> Accessory Apartment Use
>>>  Archaeological Protection
>>> Cluster Development
>>> Community  Preservation Act
>>> Demolition by Neglect
>>> Demolition  Delay
>>> Design Review
>>> Down Zoning
>>> Downtown  Revitalization
>>> Flexible Zoning
>>> Local Historic  Districts
>>> Neighborhood Architectural Conservation Districts
>>>  Phased Growth
>>> Planned Unit Development
>>> Right-to-Farm
>>>  Scenic Overlay
>>> Scenic Roads
>>> Site Plan Review
>>> Transfer  of Development Rights
>>> Transportation Corridor Overlay
>>> Upper  Elevation Protection
>>> Up Zoning
>>> Village Center  Zoning
>>>
>>> Christopher C. Skelly
>>> Director of Local  Government Programs
>>> Massachusetts Historical Commission
>>> 220  Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125
>>> Ph: (617) 727-8470 / Fax: (617)  727-5128
>>> Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us
>>>  http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm
>>> *******Stay Informed on  Historic Preservation Topics by joining the
>>> MassHistPres Email List.  Visit
>>> http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres for  more
>>> information. ******MHC offers regional training workshops to  local
>>> historical commissions and historic district commission members   
>>> on a
>>> variety of topics.  For additional information, please  contact  
>>> me about
>>> the MHC On the Road  program.*******
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>  ------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 2
>>> Date: Tue,  12 Feb 2008 19:45:55 EST
>>> From: Dcolebslade at aol.com
>>> Subject:  Re: [MassHistPres] Demolition Delay Bylaws-Description and
>>> Case  Studies
>>> To: Skelly-MHC at comcast.net, masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
>>>  Message-ID: <c17.2c993117.34e397c3 at aol.com>
>>> Content-Type:  text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>>>
>>> There should be mention of  penalties if the bylaw is  violated.   
>>> What is
>>>  possible?  In Westport there may be a two year  moratorium on  
>>> the  issue
>> of
>>> a
>>> building permit for any work on the  site.   This includes  
>>> buildings that
>>> were not
>>>  demolished.
>>>
>>> Any thought on demolition of structures of  certain  types?
>>>
>>> Betty Slade
>>>
>>>
>>> In a  message dated 2/12/2008 4:19:45 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
>>>  Skelly-MHC at comcast.net writes:
>>>
>>> DEMOLITION DELAY BYLAWS - FOR  UPDATE OF PRESERVATION THROUGH  
>>> BYLAWS  AND
>>> ORDINANCES  GUIDEBOOK
>>> I would appreciate your review and comments on  the one  page  
>>> definition
>>> we have prepared.  In addition, I am  looking  for case studies to
>>> include
>>> in our guidebook where a  demolition delay bylaw  helped to  
>>> protect a
>>> significant historic  resource.  Thanks for your  assistance.    
>>> Chris.
>>>  ******************************************************
>>> What is a   Demolition Delay Bylaw?
>>> A Demolition Delay Bylaw is a general bylaw  that  affords public  
>>> review
>>> of demolition permit applications for  potentially  significant  
>>> buildings
>>> and can invoke a delay period  before demolition of  such  
>>> buildings may
>>> commence.  During  the delay period, the building  owner and the
>>> Historical  Commission can explore opportunities to preserve  the
>>> threatened  resource.  While a Demolition Delay Bylaw cannot   
>>> prevent
>>>  demolitions indefinitely, the opportunity of delaying the   
>>> demolition
>>> of
>>> a significant resource can often have a positive   outcome.
>>>
>>> How is it adopted?
>>> A Demolition Delay Bylaw  is a  general bylaw requiring a majority
>>> affirmative vote of Town  Meeting or City  Council. At present  
>>> there is
>>> no
>>> state  legislation and is, therefore,  adopted pursuant to Home Rule
>>>  authority.  A Demolition Delay Bylaw is  most often drafted by  
>>> a  Local
>>> Historical Commission using the MHC Sample  Demolition  Delay Bylaw.
>>>
>>> How does it work?
>>> A Demolition  Delay  Bylaw defines the threshold for buildings  
>>> which are
>>>  subject to  review.  Most communities establish a base-line age
>>> criteria,
>>> usually  buildings 50 years or older.  Some  Demolition Delay Bylaws
>>> include  categorical inclusions such as  inventoried properties,
>>> properties on the  State Register of  Historic Places, or properties
>>> listed in or eligible for   inclusion in the National Register.   
>>> In a few
>>> cases, communities  have  generated a specific list of buildings for
>>> which
>>> the  Demolition Delay Bylaw  would apply.  Most municipalities in
>>>  Massachusetts should establish an  age based bylaw.
>>>
>>> A  property owner requesting a demolition permit  from the Building
>>>  Department for a building that is subject to review must  first   
>>> receive
>>> approval from the Historical Commission.  If the   Historical  
>>> Commission
>>> determines at a public hearing that the building  is  preferably
>>> preserved, a delay period is imposed.  During  the delay  period,  
>>> the
>>> Local Historical Commission, the property  owner, the general   
>>> public and
>>> concerned individuals explore  opportunities that do not include   
>>> loss of
>>> the building.   However, if the delay period expires and a   
>>> successful
>>>  preservation outcome was not achieved, the Building Inspector  can
>>> issue
>>> the demolition permit.  A Demolition Delay Bylaw  cannot   
>>> indefinitely
>>> prevent a demolition from occurring.  Communities that are   
>>> seeking to
>>> prevent demolitions should  pursue a Local Historic District  Bylaw.
>>>
>>> Each community  can specify the length of the delay in the   
>>> bylaw.  Most
>>>  bylaws have a delay period of 6, 12 or 18 months.   Longer delay
>>> periods
>>> have provided better results in preserving threatened    
>>> buildings, and
>>> the
>>> MHC recommends a minimum of 12  months.
>>>
>>> For more  information, contact MHC for assistance  in drafting a
>>> Demolition Delay  Bylaw, and for the MHC model  Demolition Delay   
>>> Bylaw.
>>>
>>>  *******************************************************
>>>  PRESERVATION  THROUGH BYLAWS AND ORDINANCES
>>> The Massachusetts  Historical Commission is  updating our guidebook
>>> entitled  "Preservation through Bylaws and Ordinances  - Tools and
>>>  Techniques for Historic Preservation Used by Municipalities  in
>>>  Massachusetts."  This guidebook contains descriptions on the    
>>> variety
>>> of
>>> local bylaws and ordinances currently in use in  Massachusetts  for
>>> protecting historic resources and community  character.  The   
>>> guidebook
>>> describes how each bylaw  functions, includes a list of   
>>> municipalities
>>> that have passed  each bylaw and summarizes success stories  from  
>>> around
>>> the  state.  Originally prepared in 1998, the guidebook has  been
>>>  incrementally revised since then.  The current version of the
>>> guidebook
>>> can be viewed online at
>>> http://commpres.env.state.ma.us/content/ptbo.asp
>>>
>>> With  assistance from a  consultant team, the guidebook is  
>>> undergoing
>>>  substantial revisions.   These include revising the bylaw   
>>> descriptions,
>>> researching new case study  success stories and  updating the  
>>> list of
>>> cities and towns with each   bylaw.
>>>
>>> Each bylaw will have the following:
>>> The first  page  will be a bylaw description summary that can fit  
>>> on one
>>>  page.  The  next two pages will include case study success  
>>> stories  with
>>> text and  photographs.  The fourth and last page will  be the  
>>> list  of
>>> municipalities with each bylaw.
>>>
>>>  The draft list of bylaws  to include in the guidebook is below:
>>>  Accessory Apartment  Use
>>> Archaeological Protection
>>>  Cluster Development
>>> Community  Preservation Act
>>>  Demolition by Neglect
>>> Demolition Delay
>>> Design   Review
>>> Down Zoning
>>> Downtown Revitalization
>>> Flexible  Zoning
>>> Local  Historic Districts
>>> Neighborhood  Architectural Conservation  Districts
>>> Phased Growth
>>>  Planned Unit  Development
>>> Right-to-Farm
>>> Scenic  Overlay
>>> Scenic Roads
>>> Site Plan  Review
>>> Transfer  of Development Rights
>>> Transportation Corridor  Overlay
>>>  Upper Elevation Protection
>>> Up Zoning
>>> Village Center   Zoning
>>>
>>> Christopher C. Skelly
>>> Director of Local  Government  Programs
>>> Massachusetts Historical Commission
>>>  220 Morrissey Boulevard,  Boston, MA 02125
>>> Ph: (617) 727-8470 /  Fax: (617)  727-5128
>>> Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us
>>>  http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm
>>> *******Stay  Informed  on Historic Preservation Topics by joining  
>>> the
>>> MassHistPres  Email  List. Visit
>>>  http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres for  more
>>>  information. ******MHC offers regional training workshops to    
>>> local
>>> historical commissions and historic district commission members   
>>> on  a
>>> variety of topics.  For additional information, please  contact  
>>> me  about
>>> the MHC On the Road  program.*******
>>>
>>> ******************************
>>> 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 year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the
>>> Grammy
>>> Awards. Go to AOL Music.
>>>  (http://music.aol.com/grammys?NCID=aolcmp00300000002565)
>>>
>>>
>>>  ------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 3
>>> Date: Tue,  12 Feb 2008 20:03:46 EST
>>> From: Dcolebslade at aol.com
>>> Subject:  Re: [MassHistPres] Demolition Delay Bylaws-Description and
>>> Case  Studies
>>> To: Skelly-MHC at comcast.net, masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
>>>  Message-ID: <d50.224bf0d0.34e39bf2 at aol.com>
>>> Content-Type:  text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>>>
>>> The key to this is recognition  by the building inspector that
>>> substantial
>>> as
>>> well as  complete demolition can be delayed.  People  generally  
>>> go to
>>> the
>>> Building inspector and there find out about the  law.   Recently the
>>> Assessors
>>> office has listed on its own records  all  buildings on the Westport
>>> Historic
>>> Inventory which  are subject to the bylaw and  perhaps that will  
>>> help.
>>>  However,
>>> the one demo that was delayed did  not result in  prevention of  
>>> the demo
>>> nor
>>> removal of the building from  the  property.
>>>
>>> Betty Slade
>>>  Westport
>>>
>>>
>>> In a message dated 2/12/2008 7:48:22 P.M.  Eastern Standard Time,
>>> Dcolebslade at aol.com writes:
>>>
>>>  There  should be mention of penalties if the bylaw is    
>>> violated.  What
>>> is
>>> possible?  In Westport there may be a two  year  moratorium on   
>>> the issue
>>> of a
>>> building permit  for any work on the site.   This  includes  
>>> buildings
>>> that
>>> were not
>>> demolished.
>>>
>>> Any thought on   demolition of structures of certain  types?
>>>
>>> Betty   Slade
>>>
>>>
>>> In a message dated 2/12/2008 4:19:45 P.M.  Eastern Standard  Time,
>>> Skelly-MHC at comcast.net  writes:
>>>
>>> DEMOLITION DELAY BYLAWS  - FOR UPDATE OF  PRESERVATION THROUGH  
>>> BYLAWS
>>> AND
>>> ORDINANCES   GUIDEBOOK
>>> I would appreciate your review and comments on  the one  page   
>>> definition
>>> we have prepared.  In addition, I am  looking  for case  studies to
>>> include
>>> in our guidebook where  a demolition delay bylaw   helped to  
>>> protect a
>>> significant  historic resource.  Thanks for  your   
>>> assistance.     Chris.
>>> ******************************************************
>>>  What is  a  Demolition Delay Bylaw?
>>> A Demolition Delay Bylaw  is a general bylaw  that  affords  
>>> public review
>>> of  demolition permit applications for  potentially  significant
>>> buildings
>>> and can invoke a delay period  before demolition  of  such  
>>> buildings may
>>> commence.  During the  delay  period, the building  owner and the
>>> Historical Commission  can  explore opportunities to preserve  the
>>> threatened  resource.   While a Demolition Delay Bylaw cannot    
>>> prevent
>>> demolitions  indefinitely, the opportunity of delaying  the   
>>> demolition
>>> of
>>> a  significant resource can often have a  positive  outcome.
>>>
>>> How is it adopted?
>>> A  Demolition Delay Bylaw is a  general  bylaw requiring a  majority
>>> affirmative vote of Town Meeting or City   Council.  At present  
>>> there is
>>> no
>>> state legislation and is,  therefore,   adopted pursuant to Home  
>>> Rule
>>> authority.   A Demolition Delay Bylaw  is  most often drafted by  
>>> a Local
>>>  Historical Commission using the MHC  Sample  Demolition Delay   
>>> Bylaw.
>>>
>>> How does it work?
>>> A  Demolition  Delay  Bylaw defines the threshold for buildings  
>>> which
>>> are
>>>  subject to  review.  Most communities establish a base-line   age
>>> criteria,
>>> usually  buildings 50 years or older.   Some  Demolition Delay  
>>> Bylaws
>>> include  categorical  inclusions such as  inventoried properties,
>>> properties on  the  State Register of Historic  Places, or  
>>> properties
>>>  listed in or eligible for  inclusion in the  National   
>>> Register.  In a
>>> few
>>> cases, communities have  generated  a  specific list of buildings  
>>> for
>>> which
>>> the Demolition Delay  Bylaw  would  apply.  Most municipalities in
>>>  Massachusetts should establish an   age based bylaw.
>>>
>>>  A property owner requesting a demolition  permit  from the   
>>> Building
>>> Department for a building that is subject to  review  must  first  
>>> receive
>>> approval from the Historical   Commission.  If the  Historical  
>>> Commission
>>> determines at a  public  hearing that the building is  preferably
>>> preserved,  a delay period is  imposed.  During the delay   
>>> period,  the
>>> Local Historical  Commission, the property owner, the  general   
>>> public
>>> and
>>> concerned  individuals explore  opportunities that do not  
>>> include  loss
>>> of
>>> the   building.  However, if the delay period expires and a     
>>> successful
>>> preservation outcome was not achieved, the Building   Inspector  can
>>> issue
>>> the demolition permit.  A Demolition  Delay  Bylaw cannot   
>>> indefinitely
>>> prevent a demolition from  occurring.  Communities that are   
>>> seeking to
>>> prevent  demolitions should pursue a  Local Historic District    
>>> Bylaw.
>>>
>>> Each community can specify the  length of the  delay in the   
>>> bylaw.  Most
>>> bylaws have a delay  period  of 6, 12 or 18 months.   Longer delay
>>> periods
>>> have   provided better results in preserving threatened   
>>> buildings, and
>>>  the
>>> MHC recommends a minimum of 12 months.
>>>
>>> For  more   information, contact MHC for assistance in drafting a
>>>  Demolition  Delay  Bylaw, and for the MHC model Demolition  Delay
>>> Bylaw.
>>>
>>>  *******************************************************
>>>  PRESERVATION   THROUGH BYLAWS AND ORDINANCES
>>> The  Massachusetts Historical Commission  is  updating our   
>>> guidebook
>>> entitled "Preservation through Bylaws and   Ordinances  - Tools and
>>> Techniques for Historic Preservation Used  by  Municipalities  in
>>> Massachusetts."  This guidebook  contains  descriptions on the   
>>> variety
>>> of
>>> local bylaws and  ordinances currently  in use in Massachusetts  for
>>>  protecting historic resources and  community character.  The    
>>> guidebook
>>> describes how each bylaw  functions, includes a list  of   
>>> municipalities
>>> that have passed each  bylaw and  summarizes success stories   
>>> from around
>>> the state.    Originally prepared in 1998, the guidebook has  been
>>>  incrementally  revised since then.  The current version of the
>>> guidebook
>>> can be  viewed online at
>>>  http://commpres.env.state.ma.us/content/ptbo.asp
>>>
>>> With  assistance from  a  consultant team, the guidebook is   
>>> undergoing
>>> substantial  revisions.   These include  revising the bylaw
>>> descriptions,
>>> researching new case  study  success stories and updating  the  
>>> list of
>>> cities and  towns with each  bylaw.
>>>
>>> Each  bylaw will have the  following:
>>> The first page  will be a bylaw  description  summary that can  
>>> fit on one
>>> page.  The  next two  pages  will include case study success  
>>> stories with
>>> text and    photographs.  The fourth and last page will be the  
>>> list    of
>>> municipalities with each bylaw.
>>>
>>> The draft list  of  bylaws  to include in the guidebook is below:
>>>  Accessory  Apartment  Use
>>> Archaeological Protection
>>>  Cluster  Development
>>> Community  Preservation Act
>>>  Demolition by  Neglect
>>> Demolition Delay
>>> Design   Review
>>> Down Zoning
>>> Downtown  Revitalization
>>>  Flexible Zoning
>>> Local  Historic  Districts
>>>  Neighborhood Architectural Conservation  Districts
>>> Phased   Growth
>>> Planned Unit  Development
>>> Right-to-Farm
>>>  Scenic  Overlay
>>> Scenic Roads
>>> Site Plan   Review
>>> Transfer of Development  Rights
>>> Transportation  Corridor  Overlay
>>> Upper Elevation  Protection
>>> Up  Zoning
>>> Village Center  Zoning
>>>
>>> Christopher  C.  Skelly
>>> Director of Local Government  Programs
>>>  Massachusetts  Historical Commission
>>> 220 Morrissey  Boulevard,  Boston, MA  02125
>>> Ph: (617) 727-8470 / Fax:  (617)   727-5128
>>> Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us
>>>  http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm
>>> *******Stay    Informed on Historic Preservation Topics by  
>>> joining the
>>>  MassHistPres  Email  List.  Visit
>>>  http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres for    more
>>> information. ******MHC offers regional training workshops  to    
>>> local
>>> historical commissions and historic district  commission members   
>>> on  a
>>> variety of topics.  For  additional information, please  contact me
>>> about
>>> the MHC On  the Road program.*******
>>>
>>>  ******************************
>>> 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  year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the
>>> Grammy
>>> Awards. Go to AOL  Music.
>>>  (http://music.aol.com/grammys?NCID=aolcmp00300000002565)
>>>  ******************************
>>> 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 year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the
>>> Grammy
>>> Awards. Go to AOL Music.
>>>  (http://music.aol.com/grammys?NCID=aolcmp00300000002565)
>>>
>>>
>>>  ------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 4
>>> Date: Wed,  13 Feb 2008 10:21:36 -0500
>>> From: Dennis De Witt  <djdewitt at rcn.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Demolition Delay  Bylaws-Description and
>>> Case Studies
>>> To: MHC listserve  <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
>>> Message-ID:  <6A4DF585-8A14-49BE-9A60-DDA3156C6DE9 at rcn.com>
>>> Content-Type:  text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes;  
>>> format=flowed
>>>
>>>  Chris
>>>
>>> What about mitigation? -- e.g. recordation and/or  replacement  
>>> design
>>> review and/or preservation easement on a surviving  building  
>>> where one
>>> is demolished or paying for an area survey, to  mention just some
>>> examples that come to mind.
>>>
>>> What  about partial demolition?
>>>
>>> another advantage of 12 mo. and  particularly 18 mo. is that it can
>>> allow the creation of an  LHD.
>>>
>>> Dennis De Witt
>>>  Brookline
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Feb 12, 2008, at 4:18 PM,  Chris Skelly wrote:
>>>
>>>> DEMOLITION DELAY BYLAWS - FOR UPDATE  OF PRESERVATION THROUGH  
>>>> BYLAWS
>>>> AND
>>>> ORDINANCES  GUIDEBOOK
>>>> I would appreciate your review and comments on the one  page  
>>>> definition
>>>> we have prepared.  In addition, I am looking  for case studies to
>>>> include
>>>> in our guidebook where a  demolition delay bylaw helped to  
>>>> protect a
>>>> significant historic  resource.  Thanks for your assistance.   
>>>> Chris.
>>>>  ******************************************************
>>>> What is a  Demolition Delay Bylaw?
>>>> A Demolition Delay Bylaw is a general  bylaw that affords public  
>>>> review
>>>> of demolition permit applications  for potentially significant
>>>> buildings
>>>> and can invoke a  delay period before demolition of such  
>>>> buildings may
>>>>  commence.  During the delay period, the building owner and  the
>>>> Historical Commission can explore opportunities to preserve  the
>>>> threatened resource.  While a Demolition Delay Bylaw  cannot  
>>>> prevent
>>>> demolitions indefinitely, the opportunity of  delaying the
>>>> demolition of
>>>> a significant resource can  often have a positive outcome.
>>>>
>>>> How is it  adopted?
>>>> A Demolition Delay Bylaw is a general bylaw requiring a  majority
>>>> affirmative vote of Town Meeting or City Council. At  present there
>>>> is no
>>>> state legislation and is,  therefore, adopted pursuant to Home Rule
>>>> authority.  A  Demolition Delay Bylaw is most often drafted by a  
>>>> Local
>>>> Historical  Commission using the MHC Sample Demolition Delay   
>>>> Bylaw.
>>>>
>>>> How does it work?
>>>> A Demolition  Delay Bylaw defines the threshold for buildings  
>>>> which are
>>>> subject  to review.  Most communities establish a base-line age
>>>>  criteria,
>>>> usually buildings 50 years or older.  Some  Demolition Delay Bylaws
>>>> include categorical inclusions such as  inventoried properties,
>>>> properties on the State Register of  Historic Places, or properties
>>>> listed in or eligible for inclusion  in the National Register.   
>>>> In a
>>>> few
>>>> cases,  communities have generated a specific list of buildings for
>>>>  which
>>>> the Demolition Delay Bylaw would apply.  Most  municipalities in
>>>> Massachusetts should establish an age based  bylaw.
>>>>
>>>> A property owner requesting a demolition permit  from the Building
>>>> Department for a building that is subject to  review must first  
>>>> receive
>>>> approval from the Historical  Commission.  If the Historical  
>>>> Commission
>>>> determines at a  public hearing that the building is preferably
>>>> preserved, a delay  period is imposed.  During the delay period,  
>>>> the
>>>> Local  Historical Commission, the property owner, the general  
>>>> public
>>>>  and
>>>> concerned individuals explore opportunities that do not  include
>>>> loss of
>>>> the building.  However, if the  delay period expires and a  
>>>> successful
>>>> preservation outcome was not  achieved, the Building Inspector can
>>>> issue
>>>> the  demolition permit.  A Demolition Delay Bylaw cannot   
>>>> indefinitely
>>>> prevent a demolition from occurring. Communities that  are  
>>>> seeking to
>>>> prevent demolitions should pursue a Local Historic  District Bylaw.
>>>>
>>>> Each community can specify the length  of the delay in the  
>>>> bylaw.  Most
>>>> bylaws have a delay period  of 6, 12 or 18 months.  Longer delay
>>>> periods
>>>> have  provided better results in preserving threatened buildings,
>>>> and  the
>>>> MHC recommends a minimum of 12 months.
>>>>
>>>>  For more information, contact MHC for assistance in drafting a
>>>>  Demolition Delay Bylaw, and for the MHC model Demolition Delay   
>>>> Bylaw.
>>>>
>>>>  *******************************************************
>>>>  PRESERVATION THROUGH BYLAWS AND ORDINANCES
>>>> The Massachusetts  Historical Commission is updating our guidebook
>>>> entitled  "Preservation through Bylaws and Ordinances - Tools and
>>>> Techniques  for Historic Preservation Used by Municipalities in
>>>>  Massachusetts."  This guidebook contains descriptions on the
>>>>  variety of
>>>> local bylaws and ordinances currently in use in  Massachusetts for
>>>> protecting historic resources and community  character.  The  
>>>> guidebook
>>>> describes how each bylaw functions,  includes a list of  
>>>> municipalities
>>>> that have passed each bylaw and  summarizes success stories from  
>>>> around
>>>> the state.  Originally  prepared in 1998, the guidebook has been
>>>> incrementally revised  since then.  The current version of the
>>>> guidebook
>>>>  can be viewed online at http://commpres.env.state.ma.us/content/
>>>>  ptbo.asp
>>>>
>>>> With assistance from a consultant team, the  guidebook is  
>>>> undergoing
>>>> substantial revisions.  These include  revising the bylaw  
>>>> descriptions,
>>>> researching new case study  success stories and updating the  
>>>> list of
>>>> cities and towns with  each bylaw.
>>>>
>>>> Each bylaw will have the  following:
>>>> The first page will be a bylaw description summary that  can fit  
>>>> on one
>>>> page.  The next two pages will include case  study success  
>>>> stories with
>>>> text and photographs.  The fourth  and last page will be the  
>>>> list of
>>>> municipalities with each  bylaw.
>>>>
>>>> The draft list of bylaws to include in the  guidebook is below:
>>>> Accessory Apartment Use
>>>>  Archaeological Protection
>>>> Cluster Development
>>>>  Community Preservation Act
>>>> Demolition by Neglect
>>>>  Demolition Delay
>>>> Design Review
>>>> Down Zoning
>>>>  Downtown Revitalization
>>>> Flexible Zoning
>>>> Local Historic  Districts
>>>> Neighborhood Architectural Conservation  Districts
>>>> Phased Growth
>>>> Planned Unit  Development
>>>> Right-to-Farm
>>>> Scenic Overlay
>>>>  Scenic Roads
>>>> Site Plan Review
>>>> Transfer of Development  Rights
>>>> Transportation Corridor Overlay
>>>> Upper Elevation  Protection
>>>> Up Zoning
>>>> Village Center  Zoning
>>>>
>>>> Christopher C. Skelly
>>>> Director of  Local Government Programs
>>>> Massachusetts Historical  Commission
>>>> 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125
>>>>  Ph: (617) 727-8470 / Fax: (617) 727-5128
>>>>  Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us
>>>>  http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm
>>>> *******Stay Informed on  Historic Preservation Topics by joining  
>>>> the
>>>> MassHistPres Email  List. Visit
>>>>  http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres for more
>>>>  information. ******MHC offers regional training workshops to local
>>>>  historical commissions and historic district commission members  
>>>> on  a
>>>> variety of topics.  For additional information, please  contact me
>>>> about
>>>> the MHC On the Road  program.*******
>>>>
>>>>  ******************************
>>>> 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
>>>>  ********************************
>>>
>>>
>>>  ------------------------------
>>>
>>>  _______________________________________________
>>> MassHistPres mailing  list
>>> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
>>>  http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
>>>
>>>
>>>  End of MassHistPres Digest, Vol 24, Issue 10
>>>  ********************************************
>>>
>>
>>
>> ******************************
>> 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 year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the  
>> Grammy
>> Awards. Go to AOL Music.
>> (http://music.aol.com/grammys?NCID=aolcmp00300000002565)
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> MassHistPres mailing list
>> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
>> http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
>>
>>
>> End of MassHistPres Digest, Vol 24, Issue 12
>> ********************************************
>>
>
>
> ******************************
> 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
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>
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> ******************************
> For administrative questions regarding this list, please contact  
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> THE WHOLE LIST.
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