2020.01.13 Staff Report.pdf
Historical Commission Staff Report 1 January 13, 2020
To: Historical Commission From: Sarah LaValley RE: Staff Report, January 13, 2020 Commission Meeting
5:30 PM – Public Hearing: To determine whether the building at 716 Bridge Road, map
ID 18C-003 should be determined "Preferably Preserved" pursuant to the Northampton
Demolition Review Ordinance, Chapter 161 of the General Code.
Photos of the structure and outbuildings are at
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1r-ErAKce9b8FcdRYI1LafVt7ldfK-_mq The outbuildings have a construction date of 1901, so are not subject to the hearing unless evidence is
found that they were built earlier.
The Commission must deterrmine whether it would ‘be in the public interest to be
preserved rather than demolished.’
Evidence:
Evidence to be gathered in order to render this determination could include the following:
• What is the current condition of the building or structure?
• How intact is the building or structure?
• What is the age of the building or structure?
• Is the building or structure an exemplary representation of a certain style or period
and if so, how many of those exist?
• What is the building or structures role in the streetscape?
• Are there exemplary construction elements that embody distinctive characteristics of
a period?
• Does the building or structure yield information important to history?
• Has the building or structure been designed by a famous and/or local architect?
• Has the building or structure been removed from its original location? If so, does it
still have architectural value, or is the surviving structure importantly associated with an
historic person or event?
If the Commission determines the building to be Preferably Preserved, a delay of up to 12
months could be implemented, or the Commission could find that the intent and purpose of
the Demolition Review ordinance is served in another manner.
Historical Commission Staff Report 2
March 25, 2019
Review proposed work pursuant to Historic Preservation Restriction, Historic
Round Hill Campus – Adams Hall, Engineers Cottage, Skinner Hall, Boiler
House and Gawith Hall
Please note that staff recommendations are based on the paper record. Applicants may
present other information that could be persuasive.
The City, through the Historical Commission, holds a Preservation Restriction Agreement
on several of the buildings at the former Clarke School campus (Premises). The Restriction
places some affirmative responsibilities on current and future owners of the Premises, such
as continued maintenance and insurance coverage. It also requires that the Commission
review proposed ‘major’ alterations to the Premises to determine that such work will not
affect the characteristics which contribute to the architectural, archaeological, or historical
integrity of the Premises. The Restriction specifies that the Secretary’s Standards must be
used as a guide for review. As noted in the December 11 Tom Douglas cover letter, the
Standards for ‘Rehabilitation’ are applicable in this case, and information regarding
strategies for meeting the standards is included. The Massachusetts Historical Commission
also reviews compliance with the Standards since the properties are subject to tax credits,
and have found the work to be consistent. The applicant’s cover letter outlines all projects
for which review and approval is requested. All additional referenced materials, including
MHC approvals, are available at https://bit.ly/30sd5ap
Previously, demolition of the Galbraith Gym, demolition of the 1960’s Gawith addition, and
buildings subject to the Restriction were approved by the Commission previously under a
consolidated process covering both Local Historic District permitting and Restriction
review. Additional of wall-mounted lights at Gawith was not granted approval in spring
2019. Review is needed for all 'major' alterations, even when the Local Historic District may
not apply because the work is not visible from a public way, such as the boilerhouse, or the
work is exempt, such as the Gawith lighting. The Commission should review all proposed
work in accordance with the Secretary’s Standards, and grant approval pursuant to the
Restriction if it is consistent.