Planning & Historic Preservation: How Can Planners and Preservationists Work Together? Community Opportunities Group, Inc

1. Planning & Historic Preservation
• How can planners and preservationists work
together?
• What can local planners do to advance the
interests of preservation?

2. Quick Review
Local Preservation Organizations
• Local Historic District Commission – responsible for
regulatory review of historic districts created under MGL
Chapter 40C
• Historical Commission – responsible for preservation
advocacy and planning
• Historical Society – private, non-profit organization

3. Historic Resources
 Buildings
 Structures
 Landscapes
 Cemeteries
 Objects
 Archaeological Sites

4. Preservation Opportunities Through
the Master Plan Process
• Highlight historic & cultural resources
• Educational tool to begin dialogue on preservation
issues and opportunities
• Coordinate efforts to preserve community character
through preservation of historic resources
• Initiate efforts to adopt regulatory tools for preservation

5. Incorporating Historic Preservation
Objectives in Local Master Plans
Facilities
Open Space
Economic
Development
Transportation
Housing

6. Highlight Issues Affecting Historic
Resources & Community Character
•Incompatible new
construction
•Mill preservation
•Loss of historic
farmland and
outbuildings
•Preservation of
rural character
•Protection of
scenic roads &
stone walls

7. Historic & Cultural Preservation
Plans
• Foster appreciation of historic & cultural resources
• Begin dialogue with other town boards, committees
– Planning Board
– Community Preservation Committee
– Conservation Commission
– Cemetery Commission
– Building Department
– Municipal Facilities
– Town Clerk
• Share resources & build awareness of activities
• Identify opportunities to collaborate on preservation
efforts

8. What Can Planners Do?
• Attend a historical commission meeting
• Institute an annual or bi-annual meeting of municipal boards
and committees to discuss planning & preservation concerns
and opportunities
• Engage in public education efforts with local officials and
general community to foster appreciation of historic & cultural
resources
• Encourage community to consider a historic preservation
plan and assist with implementation efforts
• Identify opportunities for zoning regulations to assist
preservation efforts

9. Springfield Historical
Commission

10. Mattoon Street LHD
Springfield Historical Commission

11. H H Richardson
North Congregational Church
Springfield Historical Commission

12. Forest Park Heights LHD
Springfield Historical Commission

13. Forest Park Heights LHD
Springfield Historical Commission

14. McKnight LHD
Springfield Historical Commission

15. McKnight LHD
Springfield Historical Commission

16. Lower Maple LHD
Springfield Historical Commission

17. Maple Hill LHD
Springfield Historical Commission

18. First Church &
Richardson Court House
Springfield Historical Commission

19. Peabody & Stearns
Union Trust Company
Springfield Historical Commission

20. Springfield Armory
National Historic Site
Springfield Historical Commission

21. Springfield Armory--STCC
Springfield Historical Commission

22. SPT Project
The Female Seminary
Springfield Historical Commission

23. CDBG Project - Before
Springfield Historical Commission

24. CDBG Project - After
Springfield Historical Commission

25. Springfield Tornado – June 2011
Springfield Historical Commission

26. Tornado Damage
Springfield Historical Commission