[MassHistPres] Satellite dishes

[Chris Skelly]

Here is what I have found for satellite dishes within local  historic district design guidelines in Massachusetts.  Chris.

Christopher C. Skelly

Director of Local Government Programs

Massachusetts Historical Commission

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ACTON

Modern equipment such as satellite dishes, antennae, mechanical equipment, etc. are inherently inconsistent with the historic character of the districts and therefore should be screened or located so as not to be visible from the public way. 

BEDFORD

Roof-mounted equipment such as television antennas and satellite dishes generally detract from the appearance of historic structures and should be hidden as much as possible from public view.

BOXFORD

Modern Attachments Including satellite dishes, antennae, air conditioning or heating units and septic system vents should ideally be placed so they are not visible from public streets or ways. If this is impossible, they should be screened so that they have the least visual impact when viewed from a public way.

CONCORD

Modern equipment includes utility and other mechanical equipment located outside a building and visible from a public way, including antennas, cellular towers, satellite

dishes, propane and other tanks, dumpsters, utility meters, alarm systems, HVAC equipment (including air conditioners, heating units, ducts, fans, and solar collectors)

and associated mounting devices, strapping, fasteners, cables, and related equipment. Modern equipment should, in general, be as small and inconspicuous as possible.

All modern equipment should be installed in locations which (a) create the least disturbance to the historical appearance of the building, (b) involve the least additional structural alterations and (c) are screened, hidden or otherwise shielded from view to the extent possible. Modern equipment placed on the ground should be sited in the rear of the building and may be screened by vegetation, walls or fences. Front yard locations are strongly discouraged. If modern equipment is mounted on a roof, it should be located behind chimneys, sloped roofs and parapets or placed in the central portion of flat roofs behind sight lines as seen from ground level or other portions of the roof not visible from any public way. Flues and vents should be concealed in chimneys or cupolas. Electrical wires and other cables should be run inside the building, underground, or along the foundation. Modern equipment should be painted to blend in with the building and surroundings. Window air-conditioning mounting equipment should be painted the same color as the window trim. Vents should be painted to match the color of the surface on which they are installed.

HARWICH

The Historic Commission has jurisdiction over satellite dishes and solar collectors as appurtenant exterior fixtures, and finds that they are obtrusive as well as historically and architecturally inappropriate elements for display within the historic district. Therefore, satellite dishes and solar collectors shall not be visible from any public way. If a homeowner is able to locate the dish so as not to be visible from any public way, it will still require a Certificate of Non-Applicability.

HINGHAM

Antennas for television or radio are generally allowable, subject to regulations affecting their height and form. Antennas may be removed or replaced by cable without application to the commission. Satellite dishes require a review and should be sited as unobtrusively as possible.

LENOX

Modern equipment includes equipment and utility boxes located outside a building and visible from a public way that has come into common use in the modern era and without which most property owners are willing to live. Although the world of modern mechanical equipment is ever changing, there are certain items that one may encounter on any property such as utility meters, HVAC equipment, ducts, fans, solar panels, antennas, cellular towers, satellite dishes, propane and other tanks, and dumpsters. Because there is no historical precedent for these types of equipment, there is no form or style in which they should appear. Modern equipment should, in general, be located to minimize visibility from a public way, and should not be located in a front yard. Visible elements should be designed or use colors to blend the equipment into its surroundings and/or be screened by an appropriately designed and scaled fence or plant material.

METHUEN

Place mechanical equipment in inconspicuous locations. Air conditioning units, antennae, satellite dishes, heating and ventilating equipment should be placed on the rear elevation. On the roof, they should be painted to blend in with the background. On the ground, equipment should be screened with fencing or planting.

NEWBURYPORT

Modern equipment includes utility and other equipment outside a building, such as antennas, cellular towers, satellite dishes, propane and other tanks, dumpsters, utility meters, alarm systems, HVAC equipment (including air conditioners, heating units, ducts, fans, and solar collectors) and associated mounting devices, strapping, fasteners, cables, and related equipment. Modern equipment should, in general, be as small and inconspicuous as possible. All modern equipment should be installed in

locations which: (a) create the least disturbance to the appearance of the building; (b) involve the fewest structural alterations; and (c) are screened, hidden or otherwise shielded from view to the greatest extent possible. Equipment placed on the ground should be sited in the rear of the building and should be screened. Front yard locations are strongly discouraged. If equipment is mounted on a roof, it should be located behind chimneys, sloped roofs and parapets or placed in the central portion

of flat roofs behind sight lines from ground level or other portions of the roof not visible from any public way. Flues and vents should be concealed in chimneys or cupolas. Electrical wires and other cables should be run inside the building, underground, or along the foundation. Equipment should be painted to blend in with the building and surroundings. Window airconditioning mounting equipment should be painted the same color as the window trim. Vents should be painted to match the color of the surface on which they are installed.

PLYMOUTH

Modern equipment includes equipment and utility boxes located outside a building and visible from a public way that have come into common use in the modern era.

New types of modern equipment continue to appear, but currently include utility meters, ducts, fans, antennas, cellular towers, satellite dishes, propane and other

tanks, and dumpsters. Because there is no historical precedent for these types of equipment, there is no form or style in which they should appear. Modern equipment

should, in general, be located to minimize visibility from a public way, and should not be located in a front yard. Visible elements shall be designed or use colors to

blend the equipment into its surroundings and/or be screened by an appropriately designed and scaled fence or plant material.

SALEM

The Historical Commission has jurisdiction over satellite dishes and finds that they are obtrusive as well as historically and architecturally inappropriate elements in historic districts. Therefore, satellite dishes shall not be visible from any public way. If a homeowner is able to locate the dish so as not to be visible from any public way, it will still require a Certificate of Non-Applicability.

 

 

From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Jane Guy
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2012 1:54 PM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Satellite dishes

 

Satellite dishes seem to be popping up more than usual and I would like to come up with a better guideline than they just need to be non-visible.  Maybe something that allows them, but with placement and size conditions.  Do any Commission's have guidelines for satellite dishes in historic districts that have these type of conditions?  Thanks!  

 

 

 

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

www.salem.com <http://www.salem.com/> 

 

 

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