[MassHistPres] Encouraging Property Preservation & Deed Restriction

[Roughan, Michael]

Sam,

Hopkinton has a 'win-win' zoning bylaw "210-117.2 Lots with Historic Structures" which promotes relief from specific setback or area requirements if the land owner agrees to preserve a structure that the Historical Commission has deemed historically significant and preferably preserved.

This has worked successfully on several developments that used the provision to add additional residences on sites that had nonconforming features. Of course this provision requires the collaboration of other town boards and committees but it has worked successfully on every proposal that has implemented this provision.

You can download the full bylaw on the hopkintonma.gov web site.

....Mike

Michael Roughan, AIA, EDAC, LEED AP, ACHA
Chairman - Hopkinton Historical Commission

Town of Hopkinton
18 Main Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748

D 617.357.7725 M 617.784.6463


From: MassHistPres [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Sam Obar
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2018 8:36 PM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Encouraging Property Preservation & Deed Restriction


Besides the common Demolition Delay Bylaws/Ordinances, and historic districts, what other "soft" techniques can be used and have been used to encourage historic preservation and rehabilitation?



I understand there are other ways to encourage rehabilitation and preservation through zoning, and there is also a special option property tax assessment that some communities can adopt to encourage rehabilitation.



In Walpole, we are hoping to encourage property owners to deed-restrict their homes to protect against future demolition, but I am wondering how this could be incentivized or if there are other easier ways to encourage preservation using a "carrot" approach as opposed to a "stick."



It seems like the state legislature could consider allowing communities to adopt a property tax exemption to encourage rehabilitation and preservation by, for example, allowing a property tax exemption to homeowners who put a deed restriction on their home to prevent future demolition; or who rehabilitate the structure.






Sincerely,



-- Sam Obar

Chairman

Walpole Historical Commission



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