[MassHistPres] Local Preservation Update E-Newsletter-December 6, 2010

[Skelly, Christopher @ SEC]

LOCAL PRESERVATION UPDATE E-NEWSLETTER

Published by the Massachusetts Historical Commission

December 6, 2010

 

ARCHITECTURAL PRESERVATION DISTRICTS

Both Watertown and Ipswich are investigating the establishment of
Architectural Preservation Districts to protect unique areas of their
communities.  Also known as Neighborhood Conservation Districts, APDs
protect the overall character of an area by regulating the demolition
and major alteration of buildings and by assuring that new construction
respects the scale, massing, street pattern, setback and materials of
existing buildings. Unlike local historic districts, minor projects are
entirely exempt from review or require only an advisory level review.
The city of Cambridge has used this preservation tool for several
decades with great success.  Today, there are four districts in
Cambridge encompassing over 2500 properties.  Massachusetts Historical
Commission staff recently met with the Ipswich Historical Commission and
the Ipswich APD committee in order to assist them with their local
effort.   For more information on Architectural Preservation Districts,
contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us
<mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us>  for a copy of Preservation
through Bylaws and Ordinances.  

 

LOCAL PRESERVATION EFFORTS IN THE NEWS

THE CITY OF HAVERHILL

When an 1847 National Register listed building was recently proposed for
demolition to construct a fast food restaurant, the Haverhill Historical
Commission had few options to save it.  The building is not located in a
local historic district and the city does not have a demolition delay
ordinance.  However, by strongly advocating for the building through the
local permitting and public hearing process, the Haverhill Historical
Commission was instrumental in averting the loss of this significant
building. While the building is not well protected from a future
demolition, their efforts were successful and will benefit discussions
on the re-use options for the building and the establishment of a local
historic district in this area of the city.  

 

NEW SINGLE PROPERTY LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS

During 2010, the cities of Springfield and Somerville established new
local historic districts including single property local historic
districts.  Somerville already has several hundred buildings protected
by single property local historic districts. Recent efforts added 5 more
as well as multiple building districts.  The city of Springfield
established single property local historic districts to protect two
churches proposed for closing.  

 

NEW LISTINGS IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

Sandwich, Spring Hill Historic District

 

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Please forward this newsletter on to others that may be interested.  If
you are receiving this as a forwarded message and would like to receive
it directly, please contact the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
The Massachusetts Historical Commission also has a listserve, known as
masshistpres, specifically for historic preservation.  You can join this
listserve by visiting
http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
<http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres> .  This
newsletter is posted on masshistpres directly and sent to local
commission members.  We welcome your thoughts on what you would like to
see in this newsletter.  The website for the Massachusetts Historical
Commission is http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm
<http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm> 

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