[MassHistPres] Road Work in LHD

[Sullivan, Charles M.]

Over the years the Cambridge Historical Commission has reviewed new traffic signals, light poles, and crosswalk striping in the Old Cambridge Historic District. Now that traffic calming is a big thing we've also been reviewing neckdowns, chicanes, islands, and the like.

We do not have standards or guidelines for reviewing these alterations beyond the Ch. 40C provisions for ensuring "appropriateness." With signal masts and light poles we've tried to minimize their number consistent with safety standards, and require that they are painted rather than bright stainless or aluminum. We prevented one signal installation in favor of all-way stop signs. With traffic calming measures, we look at placement, materials, and future maintenance, among other things, and evaluate each installation in the context of its surroundings. We're always trying to reduce the number, size, and placement of signs to a reasonable minimum.

We have never tried to prevent reasonable measures for traffic safety, but many things designed by traffic engineers can be improved so that they have a more appropriate appearance while still performing their necessary functions. There's no question that we have the basic authority over local roads, but a measured approach helps preserve our jurisdiction.

Charles Sullivan
________________________________
Charles M. Sullivan, Executive Director
Cambridge Historical Commission
831 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, Mass.  02139
617 349-4684 voice, 349-3116 fax
From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Gretchen Schuler
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 9:03 AM
To: Historic Preservation List-serv
Subject: [MassHistPres] Road Work in LHD

Does anyone have experience of a local historic district commission reviewing (and approving) road work on roads maintained by the local DPW or Highway Department?  If you have information about what you reviewed (traffic light infrastructure, crosswalks, curbs, sidewalks, etc.) and how you established any standards by which you "measured" the proposed work, please do tell us.

Many thanks in advance.

Gretchen Schuler
Wayland Historic District Commission
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