Elm Street Recommendation Cover Letter
City of Northampton
Community Preservation Committee
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
April 3, 2008
Mayor Clare Higgins
City of Northampton
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
Re: Community Preservation Committee Recommendation to fund the Elm Street
Historic Commission comprehensive update of design standards and an update of the
historic property inventory
Dear Honorable Mayor Higgins,
On February 1, 2008, the deadline for the first round of Community Preservation Act
(CPA) funding requests in the City of Northampton, the Community Preservation
Committee (CPC) began reviewing the ten project proposals submitted for CPA funding.
During the first two weeks of February, the Community Preservation Committee and the
Community Preservation Planner reviewed each of the ten proposals for technical
correctness. The CPC members met on February 20, 2008 and compiled a list of
questions and additional information necessary for further review. At this meeting the
CPC set up two separate site visits for each of the proposed projects.
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On March 1 and March 12, the CPC met with each of the ten applicants to discuss, in
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detail, their project proposals. Also, on March 12, the CPC held a formal public
discussion on the project proposals. The purpose of the public discussion was to let
members of the CPC hear the views of the public on any of the applications prior to their
final review.
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On March 19, the CPC held its summary evaluative discussions of the applications and,
during this six hour meeting, the CPC voted on all ten funding requests.
At the March 19, 2008 meeting, the Community Preservation Committee voted 6-1 to
recommend $35,681.25 to the Elm Street Historic Commission for a comprehensive
update of design standards and an update of the historic property inventory.
The following are conditions/contingencies that the Community Preservation Committee
is requiring as part of its recommendation for the Elm Street Historic Commission:
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No more than twenty-five copies of the revised ordinance shall be printed.
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The Elm Street Historic Commission shall submit a report, to the Community
Preservation Committee, upon completion of part A of the proposed project, or
within one year of funding, and the applicant shall submit a report, to the
Community Preservation Committee, upon completion of entire project, or within
two years of funding.
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Procedures for monitoring and reporting shall be worked out among the
Committee, Mayor and the grantee.
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The funds committed by the City of Northampton Office of Planning and
Development must be secured prior to receipt of Community Preservation Act
funds.
We hope that you will find this overview useful during this critical stage in the funding
process. The Community Preservation Committee has worked diligently to ensure that
both the Committee and the process have been comprehensive, transparent and inclusive;
we welcome your input and expertise on this project recommendation.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Jack Hornor
Chair, City of Northampton Community Preservation Committee