[MassHistPres] windows

[Skelly, Christopher (SEC)]

Nancy, if it isn't clear from the application for the certificate what the project proposal actually is, then the historic district commission should request additional information from the applicant.  There is no need to try and guess what an applicant might be proposing.  That would be true for windows or any other kind of project.  

Through the application process, it is the responsibility of the applicant to clearly describe the proposed project.  Through the design guidelines of the historic district commission, it is the responsibility of the commission to clearly describe to applicants the kinds of projects that will likely be approved and the kinds of projects that will likely be disapproved.  

What do your design guidelines say about replacement windows?  Chris.

Christopher C. Skelly
Director of Local Government Programs
Massachusetts Historical Commission
Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us
________________________________________
From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] on behalf of Nancy Dole [ndole at verizon.net]
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2017 2:41 PM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] windows

What does "like kind" mean? We have been getting applications for certificate of non applicability for "maintenance, repair or replacement using same design materials, color" in which the applicant (contractor) notes that he plans to "remove existing windows and replace with like kind, color and grill pattern" .  We recently learned that what he means is he wants to replace existng wooden windows with insulated aluminum clad window inserts, specifically "Marvin Aluminum Clad Ultimate Insert Double Hung" .

I assumed by the nature of the application that "like kind" meant the same material, ie replace wood with wood. Another member felt that "like kind" could mean replace wooden window with true divided lites, with insulated aluminum clad wooden windows with mullions attached to glass, because aluminum clad were the same color, were the same size diameter and had a six over six grill pattern applied to glass that was like the old six over six original window.

Any one out there that can define "like kind". And do any districts have a list of windows that they approve?

Thanks,

Nancy Dole, West Tisbury Historic District Commission