[MassHistPres] Possible developer threat to LHDs: Bill S1428 / HD4331

[Hillary Hedges Rayport]

Thank you for the alert about Bill S1428 seeking changes to MGL 40 Section 8D. Looking up the Bill, I see it was scheduled for a hearing with the Joint Committee on Municipalities on June 10th. I scanned through the video of the hearing and didn't see any oral testimony for or against this Bill. The Committee will accept written testimony for 14 days after the hearing, so this presents an opportunity for concerned citizens to write to our legislators.
The information of how to submit written testimony can be found here: https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/5212/Video1
The email address for written testimony is: jointcommittee.municipalities&regionalgovernment at malegislature.gov
Hope this helps. I will take a closer look at the content of the Bill.

Regards,
Hillary Hedges Rayport


On 6/12/25, 2:05 PM, "masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> on behalf of masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu>" <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> on behalf of masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu>> wrote:


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Today's Topics:


1. Re: Possible developer threat to LHDs (Sullivan, Charles M.)
2. Re: Possible developer threat to LHDs (Jared Eigerman)




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Message: 1
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:51:38 +0000
From: "Sullivan, Charles M." <csullivan at cambridgema.gov <mailto:csullivan at cambridgema.gov>>
To: Dennis De Witt <dennis.j.dewitt at gmail.com <mailto:dennis.j.dewitt at gmail.com>>, MHC MHC listserve
<masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>>
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Possible developer threat to LHDs
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The House designation for this bill is HD 4331.


___________________________
Charles Sullivan, Executive Director
Cambridge Historical Commission
831 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, Mass. 02139
617 349-4684




From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu>> On Behalf Of Dennis De Witt via MassHistPres
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 10:39 PM
To: MHC MHC listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>>
Subject: [MassHistPres] Possible developer threat to LHDs


You should urgently be aware of S1428 a Senate bill that has been introduced in the Legislature, with an identical House counterpart (I don’t have its number). See https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1428<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1428__;!!GolgDdAAPFHvrrz0!dX4iYk9y0jhxEVc5Nb2Bid6DSlM_3a-nK8fp5kNAadkVRp3Fw2UnyN5BQTFC2JML_Nv3gqAgUdwetknPaEDDKEw0nOKW4zdk$ <https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1428<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1428__;!!GolgDdAAPFHvrrz0!dX4iYk9y0jhxEVc5Nb2Bid6DSlM_3a-nK8fp5kNAadkVRp3Fw2UnyN5BQTFC2JML_Nv3gqAgUdwetknPaEDDKEw0nOKW4zdk$>>


I have just quickly scanned it, but it seems to have at least two purposes:


1) Create a standard MGL format for Demolition Delay bylaws that would have to be adopted under MGL40 Section 8D (Historical Commissions), rather than by home rule. It does allow 12-24 month delays, so the devil very much may be in the details. (And would it trump home rule by-laws?)


2) Amend MGL4Oc to Introduce a similar standardized Demolition Delay process for properties in LHDs — i.e. eliminating the ability to prevent demolition in an LHD.


If I read (scan) this correctly, the second section may be a major 40c pro-developer loophole for which the first section may be a fig-leaf (he said, mixing his metaphors).


It was introduced by Sen. Joanne Comerford (D), representing Hampshire, Worcester & Franklin. I do not see any cosponsors.


Dennis De Witt
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Message: 2
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:05:04 -0400
From: Jared Eigerman <jeigerman at gmail.com <mailto:jeigerman at gmail.com>>
To: Dennis De Witt <dennis.j.dewitt at gmail.com <mailto:dennis.j.dewitt at gmail.com>>
Cc: MHC MHC listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>>
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Possible developer threat to LHDs
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Thank you for alerting us.


I have no idea who or what is behind this bill, but, if passed as proposed,
this statute;
(1) could be interpreted as "impliedly" preempting (forbidding) every
city and town from addressing historic preservation in any way whatsoever
except through (a) the state's version of demo. delay. or (b) the state's
newly limited Chapter 40C (Local Historic District) procedures, and
(2) would make it effectively impossible for any city or town to stop the
demolition of any historic building.


Both (1) and (2) are radical changes to Massachusetts law, with, I believe,
obviously huge practical implications. No matter what evils this bill is
meant to correct, it goes way too far.


- Jared Eigerman, Newburyport


On Thu, Jun 12, 2025 at 9:08 AM Dennis De Witt via MassHistPres <
masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>> wrote:


> You should urgently be aware of S1428 a Senate bill that has been
> introduced in the Legislature, with an identical House counterpart (I don’t
> have its number). See https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1428 <https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1428>
>
> I have just quickly scanned it, but it seems to have at least two
> purposes:
>
> 1) Create a standard MGL format for Demolition Delay bylaws that would
> have to be adopted under MGL40 Section 8D (Historical Commissions), rather
> than by home rule. It does allow 12-24 month delays, so the devil very
> much may be in the details. (And would it trump home rule by-laws?)
>
> 2) Amend MGL4Oc to Introduce a similar standardized Demolition Delay
> process for properties in LHDs — i.e. eliminating the ability to prevent
> demolition in an LHD.
>
> If I read (scan) this correctly, the second section may be a major 40c
> pro-developer loophole for which the first section may be a fig-leaf (he
> said, mixing his metaphors).
>
> It was introduced by Sen. Joanne Comerford (D), representing Hampshire,
> Worcester & Franklin. I do not see any cosponsors.
>
> Dennis De Witt
> _______________________________________________
> MassHistPres mailing list
> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu>
> https://mailman.cs.umb.edu/listinfo/masshistpres <https://mailman.cs.umb.edu/listinfo/masshistpres>
>




-- 
- Jared Eigerman
jeigerman at gmail.com <mailto:jeigerman at gmail.com>
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