[MassHistPres] Demo review procedures

[James Hadley]

You have identified a significant problem with the OKHHD.  It is only as 
effective/ sophisticated as the individual Town commissions make it. Alas, 
the pool of talent to sit on the commissions is limited, and much of what is 
getting approved here is the kind of kitsch you mention.  This erosion of 
quality will eventually make the character of 6A more like 28 with trees and 
lawns. In Orleans the HisCom has overruled the OKHHDC on a number of 
accasions, most recently to prevent the demolition of a summer kitchen 
El -with  the historic vaulted ceiling intact - on an 1812 cape .  This 
projected demolition sailed thru the OKHHDC here, and the owner was 
understandably upset when the HisCom reversed the District. Now the Town is 
discussing abandoning the district due to the difficulty of finding 
qualified commissioners.
Part of the problem lies in the promotion of an historicizing esthetic in 
districts. This has a tendency to devalue the actual historic structures. 
The Sec of the Interiors standards are clear on additions to historic 
structures being clearly identifiable as to the date of their construction; 
I believe the same should pertain to historic districts, but it is hard to 
explain this to people who are not involved regulqrly in preservation 
pursuits.
James W Hadley AIA, Chair Orleans Historical Commission.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dennis De Witt" <djdewitt at rcn.com>
To: "MHC listserve" <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 10:03 AM
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Demo review procedures


> Speaking of the Old Kings Highway, I have been shocked driving down
> 6A to see the wholesale replacement of historic windows (and with bad
> -- "muntins" between the glass -- replacements) in what is supposed
> to be a tightly controlled HD.  I haven't tried to figure out if it
> is in some towns or all.
>
> Dennis De Witt
>
>
> On Mar 6, 2008, at 8:54 AM, James Hadley wrote:
>
>> In Orleans, here on Cape Cod (where we have far too many
>> demolitions) our
>> ordinance allows only for  review of total demolitions. The
>> definition of
>> demolition reads, in part: "The act or process of pulling down,
>> destroying,
>> removing or razing a building, or any portion that results in a
>> change in
>> footprint..." The operable phrase is "change in footprint."  The
>> ordinance
>> contains a definition of Significant Building also - we only review
>> and pass
>> on buildings in that category, and have an excellent survey done a
>> number of
>> years ago by Tremont Preservation Services as our guide. I would
>> welcome the
>> opportunity to gain control over removal and replacement of detail
>> on our
>> buildings here, but fear a reaction from the libertarians. The Old
>> Kings
>> Highway Historic District in Town does have total esthetic control,
>> but it
>> is only a small portion of the Town.
>> James W. Hadley AIA, Chair, Orleans Historical Commission
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: <BLever3043 at aol.com>
>> To: <mdstarkey at crocker.com>; <Anne.Louro at newbedford-ma.gov>;
>> <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 8:27 PM
>> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Demo review procedures
>>
>>
>>> Perhaps I am not being clear.  What I am looking for are examples
>>> of  how
>>> other commissions operate their demolition review.  It is a
>>> procedural
>>> question.
>>> In particular how is the determination made with  regards to
>>> subjecting a
>>> building to a delay.  Is the entire building  determined to be
>>> significant
>>> and
>>> subjected to delay or only portions  (example: if no one can see
>>> the rear
>>> of a
>>> historic building as it is  located away from a street surrounded
>>> by trees
>>> would a commission determine it  not significant because you can't
>>> see it
>>> or find
>>> it significant as it is part of  an overall building considered
>>> significant).
>>> Obviously portions  of a building contribute to the whole, I am not
>>> arguing
>>> that, I am trying to  find out how other commissions operate.  A
>>> member of
>>> the
>>> Brookline  commission responded to me that they find the entire
>>> building
>>> as
>>> significant or  not.  How do others do it?
>>>
>>> Again thanks for the help,
>>>
>>> Brian Lever
>>>
>>>
>>>
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