2024.06.24 Staff Report.pdf
To: Historical Commission
From: Sarah LaValley
Re: June 24 2024 Historical Commission Staff Report
5:30 PM, Public Hearing. Request for a Local Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness pursuant to Section 195 of the Northampton Code for installation of a 12x20 pergola and related landscaping work. Thomas Powell, 345 Elm Street, Parcel 24C-046.
Overview:
The application proposes to install a 240 sf (12 x 20’) pergola/gazebo to house a hot tub, and
other site work to include replacement of a railroad tie retaining wall with Goshen stone,
step replacement, walkway, fence, and patio. Most of the work is exempt pursuant to the
Ordinance, as Fences, Landscaping, Grading, Terraces, Walks and Sidewalks, but the
pergola and retaining wall require a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Recommendation:
The Commission should review the design standards, specifically those for for outbuildings,
page 35. “Newly constructed outbuildings should be compatible with the primary structure
in scale and proportions, and be made of the same or complementary materials. Size, scale
and placement of outbuildings themselves, as well as their relation to the lot size and other
structures on the lot and adjacent and nearby lots, will be considered”
Determination of Significance Pursuant to Demolition Ordinance, 546
Audubon Road, Map ID 04-002
An Applications for demolition has been filed with the building department for this
property.
The criteria on which to determine significance, according to the Ordinance are as follows.
These are the only criteria on which a decision can be based.
A determination of Significance is the first step in the demo review; if the Commission
determines the building to be significant, a hearing to determine whether it is Preferably
Preserved will then be scheduled. The significance determination does not create a delay, it's just the first step. The Commission should find whether the property is significant,
referencing the criteria on which the decision is based. A Form B does not exist for the
property; the assessor card and photos have been provided.
A. The building or structure is listed on, or is within an area listed on, the National
Register of Historic Places; or
`2
B. The building or structure has been found eligible by the National Park Service or the
Massachusetts Historical Commission for the National Register of Historic Places; and/or
the Massachusetts State Register of Historic Places, or has an application pending; or
C. The building or structure is importantly associated with one or more historic persons
or events, or with the broad architectural, cultural, political, economic or social history of
the City or the commonwealth; or
D. The building or structure is historically or architecturally important, in terms of period,
style, method of building construction or association with a recognized architect or builder,
either by itself or in the context of a group of buildings.
Discuss Possible Higher Ed Collaboration
Commissioner Curtin suggested that the Commission consider working with educational
institutions to and with undergraduate and graduate students who are interested historical
preservation and interpretation. The Commission discussed the possibility of connecting
with folks that might be able to help us update our inventory, and brainstormed a bit about
other ways in which we might engage with them and their students. In order to get things
rolling, please consider the following:
1) Who would you recommend that we invite to an initial brainstorming session?
2) Which departments or programs might be especially promising contacts to explore?
3) What are the sorts of projects might be good prospects for collaboration?
4) What other questions should we be asking?