[MassHistPres] tools for historic commissions

[edandrews at earthlink.net]

Russ et al,

 

I want to call to your attention the very effective building preservation
law that Stockbridge has had in place since 2011.  Although this law could
be termed a demolition delay law, I think that this particular law is a tool
that is infinitely more substantial than the typical demolition delay law,
and is the kind of tool you are looking for.

 

In the case of this law, if an historic building owner in Stockbridge wants
to demolish the building, the town requires the owner to put the building up
for sale at market price for one year before the town will consider
permitting its demolition.  If the building cannot be sold at its appraised
value, only then will the town consider a demolition permit.  

 

This is a demolition delay law with real teeth that has preserved at least
eleven historic Stockbridge buildings since 2011 that otherwise would have
been demolished.  

 

The heart of this bylaw is as follows,  

 

Before demolition may be considered, the building owner must carry out ".for
at least twelve (12) months bona fide and reasonable efforts to locate a
purchaser willing and reasonably able to preserve, rehabilitate or restore
the subject Building and that such efforts have been unsuccessful. The term
"Continuing, bona fide and reasonable efforts to locate a purchaser "shall
mean retaining a licensed broker to market the property in the usual manner
over substantially all of the 12-month period, obtaining an appraisal from a
reputable appraiser and providing evidence of good faith negotiations with
potential buyers of the property. These efforts to sell the property shall
be deemed unsuccessful only upon a finding that either there were no offers
to purchase the property, that no offer from a willing and reasonably able
buyer was for at least the reasonable appraised value of the property, or
that no agreement to sell the property pursuant to an offer of at least the
reasonable appraised value of the property could be reached despite good
faith efforts to do so.

 

The entire bylaw may be viewed in Article XXII in the Stockbridge Town
By-laws at https://townofstockbridge.com/by-laws/

 

I believe that this law should be used as model by other Massachusetts
towns.  

 

Edward Andrews

Shaker Farm

Richmond  

 

 

From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of Russel
Feldman
Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 1:59 PM
To: Skelly, Christopher (SEC) <christopher.skelly at state.ma.us>;
masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] tools for historic commissions

 

Is anyone aware of tools beyond a demolition delay ordinance that local
historic commissions might use to support preservation goals?  We're
interested in strengthening a commission's role when confronted with
development pressure.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.

Russ Feldman

 

 

Russel Feldman, AIA, NCARB | Principal Emeritus | TBA Architects, Inc.

 

From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
<mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> > On Behalf Of Skelly, Christopher
(SEC)
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2020 1:28 PM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> 
Subject: [MassHistPres] MHC Workshop-Intro to Historic Preservation
Planning-Dec 3

 

Massachusetts Historical Commission Virtual Workshops for Local Commissions

Introduction to Historic Preservation Planning 

Thursday, Dec 3, 2020

3PM

 

If you are a new member of a local historical commission, consider attending
this free online workshop.  

 

This workshop provides an overview of the role of local historical
commissions in Massachusetts.  Participants will learn about the basic steps
of community-wide historic preservation planning,  which are identifying,
evaluating and protecting historic resources.  

 

This online workshop will be limited to 12 people.  Additional workshops
will be added as interest warrants.  

If you register and are then unable to attend this workshop, please cancel
your registration or let me know as soon as possible so that another person
can take your place.   

 

Online registration for this workshop is below.  A link for attending the
online workshop will be sent out to registrants the day before. 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-historic-preservation-planning-
tickets-130285143371

 

Any questions, please feel free to let me know.  

 

Chris Skelly

Director of Local Government Programs

Massachusetts Historical Commission

Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us
<https://owa.sec.state.ma.us/OWA/redir.aspx?C=38937adc663d493e9132c4f21f50a2
81&URL=mailto%3aChristopher.Skelly%40state.ma.us> 

 

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