[MassHistPres] Preliminary Reviews for Certificates

[Wolf, Emily]

The Boston Landmarks Commission and Boston's Historic District Commissions adhere to  following  policy on advisory review:

Advisory Review is offered, at the discretion of the Secretary, for review of large or complex projects in the early stages of design.  Advisory review allows the Commission the opportunity to review preliminary proposals and offer non-binding comments on complex issues during the early design phase.  Advisory Reviews are voluntary, non-binding design reviews that do not result in an approval of the proposal, but a record of the Commission discussion from the hearing.  A complete Application for Certificate of Design Approval will be required as the project moves forward.

An applicant seeking Advisory Review should consult with Commission staff prior to requesting an Advisory Review.  Advisory applicants must submit, by the filing deadline, a written request for review and a copy of all documents to be presented at the hearing.  The request may utilize the  Application for Certificate of Design Approval form, so long as the completed form clearly indicates it is a request for Advisory Review only.  Advisory Reviews will be listed on the hearing agenda and will follow the same notice procedures as other applications.

Advisory Review is not to be a substitute for staff consultation and formal review and is not appropriate for projects in the advanced stages of design.   Applicants will be limited to two Advisory Reviews before a formal application is required.

We find that advisory review can be useful for large or complicated projects (often involving additions or new construction).  Commissioners should cite the appropriate guidelines or standards and criteria when making advisory comments (either to support a recommended revision or when noting what aspects of a proposal may be problematic).  Comments made during advisory review of a proposal are part of the hearing record and a written summary of the Commission's comments is sent to the applicant following the hearing.


Emily Wolf
Architectural Historian / Assistant Survey Director
Boston Landmarks Commission
City of Boston Environment Department
Boston City Hall, Room 805
Boston, MA 02201
T: 617/635-3850 F: 617/635-3435
www.cityofboston.gov/landmarks<http://www.cityofboston.gov/landmarks>

From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu<mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu]<mailto:[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu]> On Behalf Of Jane Guy
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2011 4:17 PM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu<mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Preliminary Reviews for Certificates


As Clerk of the Commission and an employee of the DPCD, I am the first/best contact to help guide an applicant through the process.  I have a pretty good idea what the Commission will not approve, what they like to see in applications and what options the applicant might want to consider (3-tab rather than architectural roofs, window solutions, etc.).  I also will tell them if I think their application doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell (i.e. vinyl siding), but it is still up to the applicant if they want to submit the application anyway.  I accept all applications and I review them to make sure the application is complete.  If it is not, I tell them what I feel is missing and advise them that their application could get continued or denied if they do not have all the information the Commission needs to make a decision.  The Salem Historical Commission does not do a preliminary review.  All applications for Certificates of Appropriateness or Hardship are included on the posted agenda and notices are sent out to abutters, etal.  At the public meeting, the Commission may approve, approve with changes/conditions, deny or continue the application after receiving public comment.  Once it goes before the Commission, it is subject to the open meeting law and the Commission is obligated to consider public comment.  Then, the Commission can provide as much advice as they choose or make recommendations for better solutions.  If a vote on an item is to be continued to the next meeting, I would be careful about giving verbal acceptance.... because the make-up of the Commission can change with each meeting due to absences or conflicts, what is "advised" in one meeting may not get enough votes for approval in the next meeting.   Also, if it is not specified in writing, what is said by the Commission is not always what the homeowner or developer hears, and it could result in miscommunication.



Jane A. Guy
Assistant Community Development Director
City of Salem
Department of Planning & Community Development
120 Washington St., 3rd Floor
Salem, MA  01970
978-619-5685
(F) 978-740-0404
jguy at salem.com<mailto:jguy at salem.com>
www.salem.com<http://www.salem.com>

Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2011 15:14:21 -0400 (EDT)
From: Dcolebslade at aol.com<mailto:Dcolebslade at aol.com>
Subject: [MassHistPres] Preliminary Reviews for Certificates
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu<mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>

A preliminary review is highly recommended by most historic district commissions before a full-fledged application for a public hearing is  made.
This is in order to prevent wasted time and money on the part of the  applicant and probably the commission.


My question concerns how far can the commission go in "advising" the applicant on his or her proposal.

Can the Commission make special recommendations to direct the applicant to a better solution?

Can the Commission state that something would not be acceptable?

Can the Commission indicate general acceptance, without a vote, of a proposal?

Thank you.

Betty Slade


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