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2023.01.29 Staff Report.pdf To: Historical Commission From: Sarah LaValley Re: January 29 2024 Historical Commission Staff Report Review Proposed Cupola Removal Pursuant to Historic Preservation Restriction Agreement – 20 Hawley Street/Hawley Apartments, former St. John Cantius The City will hold (nearly finalized, approved by MHC) a permanent preservation restriction on the former St. John Cantius Church. Required as a condition of CPA funding for exterior restoration work to the building, it requires that the City 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. Once recorded, the restrictions become part of the property’s chain of title and “run with the land” in perpetuity, thus binding not only the owner who grants the easement but all future owners as well. In Massachusetts, Historic Preservation Restrictions are based on a model document prepared by and signed off on by the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC). This contains a set of Grantor’s Covenants; an agreement by the Grantor to maintain buildings in good condition, prohibit complete demolition, list minor activities for which no review is necessary, and outline the review process for other proposed renovations. The cupola removal constitutes a ‘major alteration’ and requires review and approval. The Restriction specifies that the Secretary’s Standards for Rehabilitation must be used as a guide for review. Review the work proposed, and allow the removal if consistent with the standards. Informal Review and Discussion, Historic Northampton Rooftop Solar, Shepherd Barn The City holds a permanent preservation restriction on the Historic Northampton buildings and premises. Historic Northampton is planning installation of rooftop solar on the newly renovated Shepherd Barn, and would like to present preliminary plans to the Commission for review and discussion prior to requesting formal approval under the restriction. `2 Determination of Significance Pursuant to Demolition Ordinance, 5 Fulton Avenue Garage, 39A-030 Determination of Significance Pursuant to Demolition Ordinance, 80 Milton Street, 30B-109 Applications for demolition of these structures have been filed with the building department. Please click the address links above for streetview images of the structures. A determination must be made at the 1/29 meeting ; the Ordinance provides 15 days for this review. Neither property has been inventoried, and neither is listed on the National Register. The Fulton Street building was most recently used as part of Pleasant Journey Used Cars, and was part of Staab's Service Station previously. Appears as 'Four Bros Oil Company' on the 1915 Sanborn map The office building at 5 Fulton was previously determined not significant by the subcommittee. The garage at 80 Milton Street is also proposed to be demolished, but was built after 1900 and does not require demolition review. The criteria on which to determine significance, according to the Ordinance are below. These are the only criteria on which a decision can be based. Significance is the first step in the demo review; if the Commission determines the building to be significant, a hearing to determine whether it is Preferably Preserved will then be held. The significance determination is not a public hearing A. The building or structure is listed on, or is within an area listed on, the National Register of Historic Places; or B. The building or structure has been found eligible by the National Park Service or the Massachusetts Historical Commission for the National Register of Historic Places; and/or the Massachusetts State Register of Historic Places, or has an application pending; or C. The building or structure is importantly associated with one or more historic persons or events, or with the broad architectural, cultural, political, economic or social history of the City or the commonwealth; or D. The building or structure is historically or architecturally important, in terms of period, style, method of building construction or association with a recognized architect or builder, either by itself or in the context of a group of buildings.