[MassHistPres] how to make decisions

[Tucker, Jonathan]

Marcia:

 

What criteria does the Greenfield LHC use for making determinations in
its demolition delay process?  Those are usually pretty thorough.

 

Here are ours:

 

SECTION 13.4 STANDARDS FOR DESIGNATION AS A SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURE

 

The Historical Commission shall determine that a structure be designated
as a significant structure if it meets one or more of

the following criteria:

 

13.40   It is listed on, or is within an area listed on, the National
Register of Historic Places, or is the subject of a

pending application for listing on said National Register, or;

 

13.41   The Commission determines that the structure meets one or more
of the following three criteria:

 

13.410 Historical Importance. The structure meets the criteria of
historical importance if it:

 

13.4100  Has character, interest or value as part of the development,
heritage or cultural

   characteristics of the town of Amherst, the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts or the

   nation, or;

 

13.4101 Is the site of an historic event, or;

 

13.4102 Is identified with a person or group of persons who had some
influence on society, or;

 

13.4103 Exemplifies the cultural, political, economic, social or
historic heritage of the

  community.

 

13.411 Architectural Importance. The structure meets the criteria of
architectural importance if it:

 

13.4110 Portrays the environment of a group of people in an era of
history characterized by a

  distinctive architectural style, or;

 

13.4111 Embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an
architectural type, or;

 

13.4112 Is the work of an architect, master builder or craftsman whose
individual work has

  influenced the development of the Town, or;

 

13.4113 Contains elements of architectural design, detail, materials or
craftsmanship which

  represents a significant innovation.

 

13.412 Geographic Importance. The structure meets the criteria of
geographic importance if:

 

13.4120 The site is part of, or related to, a square, park, or other
distinctive area, or;

 

13.4121 The structure, as to its unique location or its physical
characteristics, represents an

  established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, village
center, or the

  community as a whole.

 

Obviously, an LHC can adapt aspects of their demo delay criteria to
historic or archeological resources other than "structures."  Another
set of criteria are those established by the National Park Service for
NHR listing.

 

I suspect that the reason the Secr. of State does not provide consistent
'guidelines' for such reviews is that historic resources and their
relative value to the community vary widely from municipality to
municipality.  An ratty old diner car that one community would be glad
to be rid of would be another community's irreplaceable treasure.  There
is no consistency in what we value and, in a home rule state, local
preferences drive the bus.

 

I hope that's helpful.

 

Jonathan Tucker

Planning Director

Amherst Planning Department

4 Boltwood Avenue, Town Hall

Amherst, MA  01002

(413) 259-3040

tuckerj at amherstma.gov    

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Marcia Starkey
Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2010 11:43 AM
To: MassHistPres
Subject: [MassHistPres] how to make decisions

 

Hello,

 

The Greenfield Historical Commission is having considerable difficulty
in knowing what process to use in taking a position on questions of
preservation or demolition of historic resources.   

 

Are there criteria, questions or guidelines that other LHCs use in order
to be thorough and consistent over time? If so, do they differ depending
on the designation i.e. Landmark: national or local? National Register
listed or eligible? part of an identified historic area? uniqueness:
architectural, historic?  etc. 

 

Thanks for any tips,

Marcia Starkey    

Greenfield Historical Commission

     

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