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2022.05.23 Staff Report.pdf To: Historical Commission From: Sarah LaValley Re: May 23 2022 Historical Commission Staff Report Historic Preservation Plan Working Session and Consultant Introduction As part of initial fact-finding that the scope of work requires the beginning of the Preservation Plan, the team from Barrett Associates is beginning with an assessment of the City’s existing historic property inventory and designations currently in place. There will be opportunity in the coming months for the public to provide input on preservation priorities as part of the plan development. Questions for the working session: 1. Does the city's historic properties inventory support your work well? 2. Have you found the inventory needs improvement? In what ways? Examples include better coverage of certain neighborhoods or historic resource types (such as landscapes), better representation of specific themes in Northampton's history, and addition of more resources from the recent past (ca. 1940-1975). 3. How is the inventory used most often - public information, administration of the Demo Delay ordinance, design review? 4. Has the Historical Commission identified priorities or specific properties for future documentation or historic designation? Please list. Review Proposed Underground Railroad Historic Signage An historic interpretive sign is proposed to be placed on Meadow Street in Florence. DPW's policy is for individuals or groups proposing historic signage within City street rights-of-way to obtain the support of the Historical Commission before seeking City Council approval for receipt of the sign gift. Review the sign text and location, and provide any feedback. Approve Administrative Bylaws and Rules of Procedure These will apply to several permit-granting land use boards. The Commission approved these several years ago, staff recommend approving the updated document. This is for review/information at this meeting, with adoption at a public hearing in June.