2020.09.09 Staff Report
Historical Commission Staff Report 1
September 9, 2020
To: Historical Commission
From: Sarah LaValley
RE: Staff Report, September 9, 2020 Commission Meeting
Please note that staff recommendations are based on the paper record. Applicants may
present other information that could be persuasive.
5:30 PM: Request for a Local Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness
pursuant to Section 195 of the Northampton Code and MGL Chapter 40C.
Proposed work to include garage roof replacement. Hugh Jones and Stephen
Watson/Adam Quinneville Roofing, 218 Elm Street, Map ID 31A-071.
The application proposes replacement of a slate garage roof, constructed 1947, with
shingles. The garage faces Harrison Avenue. The work does not qualify for an exemption or
Certificate of Nonapplicability; the materials proposed are different than existing.
The roof excerpt from page 36 of the Design Standards manual is provided below.
Roofs The roof shape and slope shall be preserved as integral to the period of the building.
In new construction, harmonious roof pitches are a major consideration. The roof shape,
slope, and materials should be appropriate to the style of building or structure. The color
and texture of the roofing material should reflect that of the original, historic roofing
material.
Slate is an important historical material used on many of the homes in the district. Its
maintenance and repair is encouraged.
Repairs shall be of the same material (e.g., slate roofs repaired with slate; cedar roofs
repaired with cedar, asphalt shingles with asphalt). Slate shall match the original in design,
color, coursing and texture.
Roofing materials shall be non-reflective
If the Commission finds the proposed work to be incompatible with the District, the
Commission must first notify the applicant of the reasons for such disapproval and
recommend changes in the applicant's proposal which, if made, would make the application
acceptable to the Commission. If within 14 days the applicant files a written modification of
the project in conformity with the recommended changes, the Commission shall issue a
certificate of appropriateness.
The Ordinance directs the Commission to consider whether a certificate of hardship should
be issued if a project is found to be inappropriate. These may be issued when the
Commission “finds that, owing to conditions especially affecting the building or structures
involved, but not affecting the historic district generally, failure to approve an application
will involve a substantial hardship, financial or otherwise, to the applicant and whether such
Historical Commission Staff Report 2
September 9, 2020
application may be approved without substantial detriment to the public welfare and
without substantial derogation from the intent and purposes of this chapter.”
Review proposed Sheperd House porch work pursuant to Preservation
Restriction, Historic Northampton.
The City, through the Historical Commission, holds a Preservation Restriction Agreement
on the buildings and grounds at Historic Northampton. 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.
The Restriction specifies that the Secretary’s Standards must be used as a guide for review.
The Commission has previously found that other work at Historic Northampton, including
building renovations and solar panel installation, is appropriate for the historic character
and allowed them under the Restriction. Repairs and restoration to the 1890s porch are
proposed, to meet code requirements and more closely match the porch’s original
appearance. Review the proposed work in accordance with the Standards, and allow the
work if it meets them.