[MassHistPres] Historic District Bylaw

[franksmalabar at gmail.com]

Hi,

 

I have been struggling with this issue in Chatham…for years, although an affluent community, we have two issues…

Demolition by neglect and individuals who cannot al ways afford to maintain their properties.

 

I haven’t been able to get by in from Town Staff on the need nor the enforcement process for a Bylaw. (But still working on it!)

Very few towns have bylaws that address it and only one on the Cape that I know of…Orleans is one I know of…but only covers homes listed on the National Register.

 

I my former life, in Leonia NJ 1970’s…small Town settled in 1600’s. by Dutch…”George  Washington visited on his retreat form New York” …

We passed a “Property Maintenance Ordinance “…addressed all homes with minimum maintenance requirements to avoid demolition by neglect. 

It worked…enforcement by the local Building Dept. ( We have assistance from the County Government, Bergen NJ. There was financial assistance to be covered by a lien on the house, if necessary.)

 

Good luck…please let me know if you have any luck?

 

Frank Messina

Chatham Historical Commission

 

From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of David Greenberg via MassHistPres
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2025 5:43 PM
To: MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Historic District Bylaw

 

Does anyone know of a sample bylaw that would require the owners of property within a historic district to maintain their property in a state of repair that would support an occupancy permit? Or in a condition that would reflect positively on the town?

 

Thanks,

 

David

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