2021.11.29 Staff Report
To: Historical Commission
From: Sarah LaValley
Re: November 29, 2021 Historical Commission Staff Report
5:30 PM – Public Hearing: To determine whether the building at 7 College Lane, map
ID 31B-290 should be determined "Preferably Preserved" pursuant to the Northampton
Demolition Review Ordinance, Chapter 161 of the General Code.
The Commission is charged with determining whether it would ‘be in the public interest (for
the structure) to be preserved rather than demolished.’ Evidence to be gathered in order to
render this determination for each building could include the following:
What is the current condition of the building or structure?
What is the ‘at a glance’ condition of the building? Is the envelope secure? Is structural
deterioration present?
How viable is the structure for adaptive reuse?
How intact is the building or structure?
Has the building been altered from its original state, either by additions, enclosures, or
removal of original design elements? Do adaptations illustrate changing tastes,
attitudes and uses?
Have portions of the building, both exterior and interior, been lost or destroyed?
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 architectural style is the building? Are there other examples of that style in the
neighborhood, and the City?
What is the building or structures role in the streetscape?
How does the building fit into the natural and built fabric of the street?
Does the building frame a prominent corner or viewshed?
`2
Are there exemplary construction elements that embody distinctive characteristics of a
period?
Does the building represent a significant style of architecture?
Are the buildings form, proportion, plan, style, or materials common to a particular
class of resources?
Does the building or structure yield information important to history?
Is the building related to patterns of the area’s development, historic identity, the life of
an important person, or historic events?
Has the building or structure been designed by a famous and/or local architect?
Who is the architect? Are they regionally or locally renowned?
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 -
to protect and preserve significant buildings that constitute or reflect distinctive features of
the architectural, cultural, economic, political, and/or social history of the City and to
encourage preservation of these resources by identifying alternatives to demolition through
communication and collaboration - is served in another manner. Possible options for an
alternate plan could include documentation, salvage, and preservation of building elements.
Demolition review is not a design review of future uses for the site.
Discuss Local Historic District Design Guidelines Updates
As discussed briefly at the October meeting, the Local Historic District Guidelines have not yet
been approved by Council, a necessary step to make them part of the LHD Ordinance. That
makes now an opportune time to review and make any edits and updates that might be needed.
Staff is preparing an updated roof and ground solar section, Commissioners should review and
flag anything that could benefit from revisions prior to Council review.