[MassHistPres] Two questions: Certificate of Non-appropriateness and Town building application system when Historic Districts exist.

[Daniel Byer]

We use Viewpoint in Mendon (looks like you are using Viewpoint in Norton too).  We set things up so Historic District is one of the initial approval/review steps before the permit is issued.  We had issues in the past when they used paper so we wanted to take the human element out of the review/approval process and automate things as much as possible.   They can still by-pass steps if they are not applicable but it’s documented now.
All the properties in the districts are flagged and that triggers an initial review step that goes to the District Commission.  Then if they do require a certificate we can stop the step and ask them to start the Certificate process.  As for setting up the flags, I just did them all manually since we don’t have that many but Viewpoint support can also help you flag a bunch of properties in batches it just costs money.


Something else we did that’s been helpful is add this question on the residential and building permit apps in Viewpoint:
Does the site have frontage on any of these streets? (Elm, Hastings, Main, Maple, Washington(1-31) )

If they answer yes, it pops up with this description text below.  That way the applicant gets a heads up they will likely need further permits even if they don’t realize they are part of a historic district.

In addition to this permit application, this project will likely require a certificate from the Historic District Commission before a permit can be issued.   The HDC will review this permit application and respond on Viewpoint if a certificate is needed.  To expedite the process you can also apply to the HDC using the link below now.

Apply online at mendonma.gov/hdc-app

HDC Contact Info: 508-458-6707 hdc at mendonma.gov<mailto:hdc at mendonma.gov>

Historic District By-Law: Except as this Bylaw provides, no BUILDING or STRUCTURE or part thereof within a DISTRICT shall be CONSTRUCTED or ALTERED in any way that affects the EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES as visible from a public street, public way, public park, or public body of water, unless the COMMISSION shall first have issued a CERTIFICATE with respect to such CONSTRUCTION or ALTERATION

No building permit for CONSTRUCTION of a BUILDING or STRUCTURE or for ALTERATION of an EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE within a DISTRICT and no demolition permit for demolition or removal of a BUILDING or STRUCTURE within a DISTRICT shall be issued by the Town or any department thereof until a CERTIFICATE as required under this Bylaw has been issued by the COMMISSION.


~Dan Byer


Dan Byer
(he/him/his)
Historic Commission - Chair
Historic District Commission - Vice Chair

20 Main St.
Mendon, MA 01756

Office: 508-458-6707
Cell: 774-481-1321
Fax: 508-478-8241
mendonma.gov<http://mendonma.gov/>



From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of Alisa Struthers via MassHistPres
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2025 5:55 PM
To: Nancy Robbins <nancyrobbins2 at yahoo.com>; MHC MHC listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>; Dennis De Witt <dennis.j.dewitt at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Two questions: Certificate of Non-appropriateness and Town building application system when Historic Districts exist.


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In Townsend, the online permitting has been set up to flag all properties within the Districts, When this is seen by the building department the applicant is directed to the HDC.
Lisa Struthers
Townsend MA
On Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 10:20:21 AM EDT, Dennis De Witt via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu<mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>> wrote:


To take the questions in reverse order

In Brookline, applications in LHDs are automatically forwarded to the Preservation Commission and the building department will not issue a permit until Preservation has signed off.

If there is a violation, a stop work order can be issued by the Building Commissioner.

Dennis De Witt
Brookline

> On Aug 12, 2025, at 1:55 PM, Nancy Robbins via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu<mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>> wrote:
>
> Re CONA- When this is issued is it the responsibility of the property owner to resolve whatever the issues are via having discussions with the Commission for solutions or continue with the project and ignore. Then what happens?
>
> Re Town Building Applications
>
> Is anyone’s Town building databases and application process set up to flag applications that are in a Historic District and redirect to the Commission in lieu of going directly to the Building dept. since protocol dictates review first by HC?
>
> Thank you
>
> Nancy Robbins Federici
> Co-chair, Norton Center Historic District Commission
> Norton, MA 02766
> C. (508) 958-5165
>
> We hire smart people not to tell them what to do but for them to tell us.
>                                  Steve Jobs
>
>
>
>
>
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