[MassHistPres] Special treatment for Single House Local Historic Districts?

[Sarah White]

Chris, the information you have been given is incorrect.

I would first refer to the pdf on creating local historic districts that is on the Massachusetts Historical Commission website that Chris Skelly put together. This should be your guide.


·         The formation of Single Structure LHDs is the same as for larger districts. (in Somerville, we have MANY single structure LHDs):


·         A study committee must be formed (if an LHD is already in place, the existing LHD Commission can act as the study committee; if no LHDs exist, the process for creating a study committee if you are a city vs. town, is outlined in the PDF I mentioned above);


·         After the boundaries are determined, historic research done, report and corresponding guidelines created (or, if LHDs already exist, you may want to use the same guidelines), your Preliminary Study Report is sent to MHC for review. A public hearing on the matter is required by law and can only be scheduled to occur 60 days after confirmation of receipt of the Preliminary Study Report by the MHC, at the earliest.


·         The MHC review is advisory. You can move forward with your LHD proposal whether or not the MHC is in agreement with your proposal. However, their insight and advise should be given due attention as they will only help your efforts.


·         The City Council then must vote on your proposal. The City Council CANNOT create an LHD of any size of their own accord. The process is clearly spelled out in the PDF and in Chapter 40C, the enabling MA state statute to create historic districts.

I’ve been through this process in more than one community and am happy to help.

Chris Skelly, however, is THE resource and authority for all of this at the state level.

Hope this is helpful. Chris, if I made any mistakes, please correct me!.
Best,

Sarah M. White
Planner – Zoning & Preservation
Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development
City of Somerville
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143
617.625.6600 x2534
swhite at somervillema.gov<mailto:swhite at somervillema.gov>





From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Christopher Bader
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2016 3:02 PM
To: masshistpres Members
Subject: [MassHistPres] Special treatment for Single House Local Historic Districts?

All,

I have encountered some differing opinions about the treatment of Single House Local Historic Districts and whether they go through exactly the same formation process as bigger districts.

Specifically, I have been told that they don't need approval from the Mass. Historical Commission but can simply be created by the City Council.  I don't think this is true, but I want to hear it from someone knowledgeable about this.

Chris Bader
Chair
Medford Historic District Commission
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