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.