[MassHistPres] Neighborhood Conservation Districts (a.k.a Architectural Preservation Districts)

[Chris Skelly]

The MHC guidebook, Preservation through Bylaws and Ordinances, lists six
municipalities with Architectural Preservation Districts.  

 

Boston

Cambridge

Lowell

North Andover

Northampton

Wellesley

 

Boston and Lowell do have special acts of the legislature but this was not
just for the establishment of architectural preservation districts.  Rather,
Boston's special act legislation covers all the various designations used in
Boston such as landmarks, landmark districts, historic districts,
architectural conservation districts and protections areas.  Similarly, the
Downtown Lowell Historic District and the Neighborhood Districts were
established under their Special Act.  

 

The others municipalities with architectural preservation districts were
established under home rule authority.  Northampton has an ordinance for
their downtown that functions much like an architectural preservation
district.   The only other municipalities I am aware of in the state that
have established Architectural Preservation Districts are Cambridge, North
Andover and Wellesley.  Chris.

 

Christopher C. Skelly

Director of Local Government Programs

Massachusetts Historical Commission

 

From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Dennis De Witt
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2011 3:38 PM
To: MHC MHC listserve
Cc: Chris Skelly
Subject: [MassHistPres] Neighborhood Conservation Districts (a.k.a
Architectural Preservation Districts)

 

Charlie's input on this is much appreciated -- altho admittedly the Harvard
Sq. Conservation District is a largely commercial/institutional area and
Cambridge's older and more residential NCDs are overseen by separate NCD
boards.

 

But what about other places?  It appears that Wellesley and Andover have
them.  Any others?  Anyone from those places on this listserve?

 

Googling suggests places where they have considered and not passed -- at
least thus far.   If so, it would be interesting to know why.  

 

Dennis De Witt

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/private/masshistpres/attachments/20110201/e61d2f1e/attachment.htm>