1. Local Historic District Expansion Project
Joint Public Hearing
J i P bli H i
Legislative Matters Committee of the
Board of Aldermen
And
Historic Preservation Commission
GROUP A
December 2, 2009
Monica R. Lamboy
M i R L b
Executive Director, OSPCD
2. The Value of Historic Districts to City
Preserves and enhances City’s cultural and historical resources
ese ves de ces C y s cu u d s o c esou ces
Protects unique character of City’s built environment
Creates strong economic b fi f the Ci through:
C i benefits for h City h h
Increase in property values
Neighborhood stability
Quality property reinvestment
Q lit t i t t
Tourist appeal and spending
Integrates City s Smart Growth and green economy goals by:
City’s
Promoting reinvestment in the existing building stock
Reducing material waste
Reusing finite resources
g
Capitalizing on our rich architectural heritage
3. Benefits of LHD to Owners
Higher value – historic designation attracts buyers who tend to
pay higher sale prices
Exemptions – historic properties not subject to all new code
regulations
Protection – designation ensures your work will be preserved by
future owners
Special treatment – owners receive free technical assistance from
HPC staff and professional advice of Commission members
Eligibility – offering free historic plaque to owners in this round
only; non-profits eligible for State funds for emergency work
non-
Unique Uses – historic bed & breakfast use only allowed within
LHDs; considering amendments for historic carriage houses
Prestige -less than 3% of total buildings designated historic
g g g
4. Criteria for Property Designation
Rarity in Somerville
y
Good examples of architectural style or type
Form & massing that contributes toward the
g
streetscape
Respectful rehabilitation or restoration
Potential danger of loss to community
Association with important national or local
events and/or pr min nt fi r
nt nd/ r prominent figures
Location
5. Missed Opportunities
Lessons Learned
Without designation special properties may be
irretrievably altered or demolished
Notable losses in recent past
One Benton Road
46 Pearl Street
Saint Polycarp’s Church
Near losses over time
Somerville Theatre, 1990’s
Somerville Armory, 2004
First Methodist Church, One Summer Street
6. Missed Opportunities
Lessons Learned
15-17 Flint Street 1 Benton Road – Benton-Corwin House
9. Realized Opportunity
Working with SHPC
2008 – SHPC Director’s Award
2 Benton Road – Benton- Hood House
10. LHD Designation Process
City Surveying – Two State Grants
Documentation – Form B and Preliminary Report
Formal Review and Comment
o ev e d o e
Somerville Planning Board
Massachusetts Historical Commission
assac usetts sto ca Co ss o
SHPC Public Hearing
SHPC Final Report to BOA
BOA Vote on Map Amendments
Recording of Maps at Registry of Deeds
11. Going an Extra Step
Process Continued
Outreach to Property Owners
3 additional contacts
Follow-
Follow-up Letters
New Hi
N Historic and A hi
i d Architectural R
l Reports
LHD Informational Materials
Acknowledgement Cards
Personal Visits
SHPC Public Hearing Notice by Certified Mail
13. Context – History of Era
1600 - 1845
Early settlement along Broadway, Washington
Broadway
Street and Somerville Avenue
Middlesex Canal Opens – 1804
Fitchburg Railroad for Industry – 1841
Fitchburg Railroad for Passengers – 1843
14. Context – History of Era
1842 - 1865
Somerville Becomes A Town – 1842
Population Triples 1842 – 1850
Population More Th D bl 1850 -1860
P l i M Than Doubles
Farming Village to Residential Suburb of Boston
Somerville Population Change, 1840-1865
15,000
1855:
Tufts
1850: University
y
10,000 America
T otal Population
11,355
n
1842: Tubewo
Somervill 8,025
e
5,000
Incorpor 5,783
800 3,540
3 540
1013
0
1840 1842 1850 1855 1860 1865
Source: US
16. Architectural Styles of the Era 1845 – 1865
Group A
GREEK REVIVAL ITALIANATE SECOND EMPIRE
1825-1860 1840-1885 1860-1880
17. Flint Street Historic District
GROUP A
11- 3 li S
11-13 Flint St.
14 Flint St.
15-
15-17 Flint St.
22 Flint St.
St
18. Flint Street Historic District
11-13 Flint St.
3 15-17 Flint St.
22 Flint St.
14 Flint St.
19. Central/Atherton/Spring/Summer
Historic District
GROUP A
53 Atherton St.
12 Harvard St.
18-
18-20 Spring St.
34 Spring St.
38 Spring St.
42 Spring St.
50 Spring St.
54 Spring St.
25. Conclusion
Written Comments to Historic Preservation
Preser ation
Commission by Fri. Dec. 4, 2009
Contacts
Monica R. Lamboy, Executive Director
Rob May, Director of Economic Development
City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue Somerville, MA 02143
Hall Avenue, Somerville
rmay@somervillema.gov
