[MassHistPres] S. 1428 - An Act relative to historic districts and commissions

[Anthony Sculimbrene]

As a "40c" commissioner for Lunenburg's Architectural Preservation District I can assure you we were not looking to add demo delay language to the town bylaw.
More importantly, I am concerned about the state legislature's misguided approach to local zoning issues, mostly, in the name of "affordable housing". Much of what is being proposed will not make any housing more affordable but rather make it easier for developers to build more new housing that won't be affordable. Having just returned from visiting the Seattle area I have seen first-hand what the state's legislature foray into local zoning has done to make housing less affordable. By allowing developers to build 3 homes on a 6,500 square foot lot where there was one home didn't make those three homes more affordable. What happened was the state's approach to zoning has now made that small lot and the home that was on that lot far more expensive than what any individual home buyer can afford.
The same is happening here in Massachusetts. The state has imposed itself in the business of zoning of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) . Local zoning of ADU's is being superseded by state regulations and the end result won't create any more affordable housing units but rather make land (the single most expensive element of building a home) more expensive. In turn, this makes housing less affordable.
There are many good reasons to preserve existing structures. Those who live in and around those structures should be able to control how that happens versus having to follow state mandates.
Tony Sculimbrene
Lunenburg MA

________________________________
From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> on behalf of Eric Dray via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2025 2:42 PM
To: 'Chris Skelly' <ccskelly12 at gmail.com>; 'MHC MHC listserve' <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] S. 1428 - An Act relative to historic districts and commissions


Thank you, Chris, for your leadership on this. I’m glad the senator thinks it has no chance, but this is likely just the first step in their efforts to get something passed.

I think we need to better understand what their underlying goals are, especially as it relates to adding demo delay language into 40C. I can’t imagine that is something that any 40C commissioners were asking for.

And I think we all still need to send in letters of opposition.

Eric



Eric E. Dray, MA JD

Eric Dray Consulting

71 Prentiss Street

Cambridge, MA 02140

508.566.3797

www.EricDrayConsulting.com<http://www.ericdrayconsulting.com/>







From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of Chris Skelly via MassHistPres
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2025 9:14 PM
To: MHC MHC listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Subject: [MassHistPres] S. 1428 - An Act relative to historic districts and commissions



Below is the response I received earlier today from Senator Jo Comerford.  While it suggests less urgency regarding passage, I hope that many of you will submit testimony anyway as the more voices, the better.  Chris.

Chris Skelly

Skelly Preservation Services

Community Planning and Preservation

www.skellypreservationservices.com<http://www.skellypreservationservices.com/>

ccskelly12 at gmail.com<mailto:ccskelly12 at gmail.com>

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: Comerford, Joanne (SEN) <Jo.Comerford at masenate.gov<mailto:Jo.Comerford at masenate.gov>>
Date: Sat, Jun 14, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Subject: Re: S. 1428
To: Chris Skelly <ccskelly12 at gmail.com<mailto:ccskelly12 at gmail.com>>



Thanks for this important testimony.



My team and I are taking it all to heart.



Please know that this bill is in no danger of passing and that I will make sure that the committee sees all of the dissenting comments.



Jo



Representing 25 cities and towns in Hampshire, Franklin, and Worcester counties



SenatorJoComerford.org



Sign up for our office newsletter here<https://senatorjocomerford.org/#mk-footer>.

________________________________

From: Chris Skelly <ccskelly12 at gmail.com<mailto:ccskelly12 at gmail.com>>
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2025 8:18 AM
To: Comerford, Joanne (SEN) <Jo.Comerford at masenate.gov<mailto:Jo.Comerford at masenate.gov>>
Subject: S. 1428



I have just been made aware of Bill S.1428-An Act relative to historic districts and commissions.

“By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1428) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to establish and preserve historic districts and commissions. Municipalities and Regional Government.”



With over 25 years of historic preservation professional experience and a deep familiarity with MGL Chapter 40C-The Historic Districts Act as well as the typical local bylaws and ordinances related to historic preservation, I am deeply troubled by aspects of this bill.



It appears this bill was filed without the knowledge of the Massachusetts Historical Commission or Preservation Massachusetts, the statewide non-profit preservation advocacy organization.



My experience over many years has demonstrated that revisions to state law in this area are warranted.  However, the proposed bill takes a very unfortunate approach.  What I see in this proposed bill will be ruinous to protecting what makes the cities and towns of Massachusetts unique and admired around the country.



I strongly believe historic preservation, increasing access to housing that is affordable, new opportunities for growth, economic development, and environmental sustainability are best achieved together.  I would very much like to see revisions to state law that encourage this collaboration.  The current bill simply causes more confusion, division and fewer opportunities to reach shared goals.



Those of us that work professionally in historic preservation are dedicated to making sure that our historic areas are vibrant, welcoming, adaptable and meeting the needs of the 21st Century.  I urge you to reach out and work with those of us in the historic preservation community to achieve these goals.



Chris Skelly

Skelly Preservation Services

Community Planning and Preservation

22 William Street, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370

www.skellypreservationservices.com<http://www.skellypreservationservices.com/>

ccskelly12 at gmail.com<mailto:ccskelly12 at gmail.com>

413-834-0678










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