[MassHistPres] Local comprehensive plan and historic reservation plans

[Jennifer Doherty]

Hi Sally,
GL c. 41, 81D
<https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter41/Section81D>
covers the sections of a local comprehensive plan (master plan, unified
plan). It should include a chapter on "natural and cultural resources,"
which in the phrasing of the GL includes historic resources. However, some
communities do their master plan in phases, or as funding is available, so
an initial phase might not include a chapter on historic resources.

The natural and cultural resources chapter usually includes a brief
overview of historic resources - the community's history, what has been
documented, any major preservation tools, information on the local HC/HDC,
etc. The plan then includes some recommendations related to historic
resources, although they are often pretty general.

Separately, many communities choose to prepare a standalone historic
preservation plan. This goes into much more detail on the presence and
protection of historic resources in the community. This is similar to how
communities will develop an open space & recreation plan, a housing
production plan, other specific neighborhood plans, etc. outside of the
master plan.

As far as I know there is nothing that requires a separate, standalone
historic preservation plan, in the way that some of those other specific
plans are required by various divisions and grant programs of the state.

I'll leave it up to others to say how they have been involved in their
local master planning process, but as with anything local - speak up!

Thank you,
Jenn


On Tue, Aug 5, 2025 at 7:59 AM sally milne via MassHistPres <
masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:

> Greetings to you all,
>    I am seeking input regarding the Local comprehensive plans. I believe
> in the past a separate Historic Preservation plan would be included in the
> LCP. Now it seems as though Historic Preservation can be included within
> the plan but not a septette report. Is this accurate?. Our LCP coming up
> for review is vey concerning to me with little to no mention of Historic
> preservation either  current situation nor any concrete plans for the
> future.
> What is the ground I can stand on to have them include a more succinct
> Historic preservation Plan? Is there anything?
>
> Many thanks
> Sally Urbano
> Harwich individually
> Captains’ Row
>
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> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
> https://mailman.cs.umb.edu/listinfo/masshistpres
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-- 
Jennifer B. Doherty
Preservation Planner
Barrett Planning Group LLC
350 Lincoln Street, Ste 2503
Hingham, MA 02043
Office: (781) 934-0073
Cell: (508) 209-7443
jenn at barrettplanningllc.com
www.barrettplanningllc.com
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