[MassHistPres] Historic preservation using commercial village overlay experiences

[Dennis De Witt]

Sally

In addition to a conventional 40C district (not a 40A zoning overlay), you might want to look into Northampton, which I believe has business district design review based on an illustrated book of positive examples.  I don’t know how well it works in practice but I believe it is not zoning but a home rule ordnance — in effect an NCD of a somewhat different M.O. that is thus unencumbered by the loopholes built into Zoning.  And it would only require a majority vote to be enacted.

Dennis De Witt
Brookline

> On Jan 15, 2019, at 7:56 AM, sally milne <urbanosally at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Good Morning.
>    I was hoping someone on the list might have had some experience with commercial zoning overlays in attempts to preserve historic character.
> Specifically we have an area zoned commercial that has been nominated to proceed with National register Designation. We have been unable to find funds to submit the papers so far. It was suggested we might be able to use the Commercial village overlay in the meantime. Has anyone used this approach and  with what results.?
> 
> Thanks,
> Sally Urbano
> Individually Harwich, Ma.
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