[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Northampton 4-21-2005 (Ch. 28 of the 1977 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
General penalty — See Ch. 1, § 1-17.
Enforcement — See Ch. 40.
Central Business and West Street architecture — See Ch. 156.
Fees — See Ch. 174.
Historic districts — See Ch. 195.
Zoning — See Ch. 350.
A. 
This chapter is enacted for the purpose of protecting and preserving significant buildings and structures in the City of Northampton that constitute or reflect distinctive features of the architectural, cultural, economic, political, and/or social history of the City and to encourage preservation of these resources by identifying alternatives to demolition through communication and collaboration.
B. 
To achieve these purposes, the Northampton Historical Commission is authorized to advise the City of Northampton's Building Commissioner with respect to building permit applications that propose activity that would result in total demolition of buildings or structures regulated by this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPLICANT
Any person or entity that files an application for a building permit that proposes total demolition of a building or structure. If the applicant is not the owner of the premises upon which the building is situated, the owner must assent in writing to the filing.
APPLICATION
A building permit application that proposes total demolition of a building or structure.
BUILDING
Any combination of materials forming a shelter for persons, animals or property.
BUILDING COMMISSIONER
The person occupying the office of Building Commissioner or otherwise authorized to issue building permits.
CALENDAR DAY
A day which could include a legal municipal holiday, Saturday or Sunday. Notice, posting and review periods will be based on calendar days, as opposed to business days.
COMMISSION
The Northampton Historical Commission or its designee.
DEMOLITION
Any act of pulling down, destroying, removing, dismantling or razing a building or structure that results in total demolition of said building or structure.
DEMOLITION PERMIT
The building permit issued by the Building Commissioner or his/her designee as required by the State Building Code for total demolition of a building or structure.
PREFERABLY PRESERVED BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
Any significant building or structure that the Commission, following a public hearing determines to be in the public interest to be preserved rather than demolished. A preferably preserved building or structure is subject to the twelve-month demolition review period.
SIGNIFICANT BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
Any building or structure within the City which is a regulated building or structure and which has been determined by the Commission or its designee to be significant based on any of the following criteria:
A. 
The building or structure is listed on, or is within an area listed on, the National Register of Historic Places; or
B. 
The building or structure has been found eligible by the National Park Service or the Massachusetts Historical Commission for the National Register of Historic Places; and/or the Massachusetts State Register of Historic Places, or has an application pending; or
C. 
The building or structure is importantly associated with one or more historic persons or events, or with the broad architectural, cultural, political, economic or social history of the City or the commonwealth; or
D. 
The building or structure is historically or architecturally important, in terms of period, style, method of building construction or association with a recognized architect or builder, either by itself or in the context of a group of buildings.
STRUCTURE
Anything built with a fixed location on the ground, including, but not limited to, a building, bridge, canal, dam, fort, tower, tunnel or windmill.
[Amended 1-20-2011]
A. 
Buildings and structures regulated by this chapter are buildings or structures built in 1945 or earlier, determined to be historically significant and preferably preserved by the Northampton Historical Commission. Such regulated buildings or structures are all of those built in 1900 and earlier, and all principal buildings or principal structures (e.g., not including outbuildings, sheds, accessory structures, or fences) built between 1901 and 1945. After the initial age-based threshold determination, the Commission will institute the public hearing process to ascertain if the historically significant and preferably preserved criteria apply. At that time the determination will be made whether or not to activate a review period.
[Amended 3-5-2020 by Ord. No. 20.012]
B. 
The age of the building and/or structure shall first be determined by consulting the City's Form B Historic Inventory or, if Form B's are not available, the Assessor's records or any other documentation which the Building Commissioner determines to be adequate. If the building and/or structure is of unknown age and might be a regulated building or structure it shall be assumed to be a regulated building or structure for the purposes of this chapter. Notwithstanding any language to the contrary, this chapter only regulates building permits that propose total demolition.
C. 
Buildings or structures located within Local Historic Districts are subject to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40C. Applications for demolition in such districts will be reviewed as part of the Historic District permitting process. Applications for demolition within the Central Business-Core District will be reviewed by the Central Business Architecture Committee (created by Chapter 156 of the Code). If any of the above-mentioned should cease to exist, the Northampton Historical Commission would administer this chapter in those areas. The Historical Commission will review demolition applications in all other areas of the City.
[Amended 9-19-2013; 4-14-2022 by Ord. No. 22.057]
Exemptions to this chapter shall be as follows:
A. 
Any and all buildings and/or structures on any land for which a special permit, comprehensive permit or building permit has been issued prior to the adoption date of this chapter but only if those projects proceed before the previously issued permits expire.
B. 
Any buildings on the grounds that were once part of the former Northampton State Hospital.
C. 
Structures which have been the subject of a municipally sponsored public meeting specifically regarding their demolition conducted prior to January 20, 2011.
[Added 1-20-2011]
No building permit for demolition of a regulated building and/or structure shall be issued without following the provisions of this chapter, except for projects approved under the permit granting authority of any Local Historic District (adopted under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40C) or the Central Business-Core District.[1]
A. 
Submission requirements. In addition to the information required for the building permit application, a project proposing total demolition of a regulated building or structure shall include the following information:
(1) 
Address of the building/structure to be demolished.
(2) 
Owner's name, address and telephone number.
(3) 
Description of the building.
(4) 
Description of the proposed work.
(5) 
Reason for requesting a permit for demolition.
(6) 
Brief description of the proposed reuse, reconstruction or replacement.
(7) 
Photographs of the building(s)/structure(s).
B. 
Application. The Building Commissioner shall forward a copy of each complete building permit application that proposes total demolition for any regulated buildings and/or structures identified in the previous section to the Commission, or its designee, within seven days after the filing of such application. No building permit for demolition shall be issued at that time. The Building Commissioner shall notify the applicant that the application activates the provisions in this chapter.
C. 
Determination of significance. The Commission shall, within 15 days after the receipt of such application from the Building Commissioner, make a written determination of whether the building and/or structure is significant.
(1) 
Negative determination: Upon determination by the Commission, or its designee, that the building and/or structure is not significant, the Commission shall so notify the Building Commissioner and applicant in writing. The Building Commissioner may then issue the building permit for demolition.
(2) 
Positive determination. Upon determination by the Commission, or its designee, that the building and/or structure is significant, the Commission shall so notify the Building Commissioner and applicant in writing. No building permit for demolition may be issued at this time. If the determination is made that the building and/or structure is significant, the Commission shall hold a public hearing within 30 days of the written notification to the Building Commissioner.
(3) 
If the Commission does not notify the Building Commissioner within 15 days of receipt of the application, the Building Commission may proceed to issue the building permit for demolition.
(4) 
The decision as to whether the building and/or structure is significant may be made at an advertised public meeting of the entire Commission, by a subcommittee of the Commission designated at a public meeting, or by a designee of the Commission, duly authorized at a public meeting.
D. 
Public hearing on determination of preferably-preserved status.
(1) 
Public notice of time, place and purpose of the hearing shall be posted in a conspicuous place in City Hall for a period of not less than seven days prior to the date of said hearing, and the applicant and the Building Commissioner shall be notified in writing of the meeting time and place.
(2) 
Evidence.
(a) 
Evidence to be gathered in order to render this determination could include the following:
[1] 
What is the current condition of the building or structure?
[2] 
How intact is the building or structure?
[3] 
What is the age of the building or structure?
[4] 
Is the building or structure an exemplary representation of a certain style or period and if so, how many of those exist?
[5] 
What is the building or structures role in the streetscape?
[6] 
Are there exemplary construction elements that embody distinctive characteristics of a period?
[7] 
Does the building or structure yield information important to history?
[8] 
Has the building or structure been designed by a famous and/or local architect?
[9] 
Has the building or structure been removed from its original location? If so, does it still have architectural value, or is the surviving structure importantly associated with an historic person or event?
(b) 
All information gathered through this investigative process and any other information that may be brought forth at the public hearings may be considered in making the determination.
(3) 
At the public hearing, or within 14 days after the public hearing, a determination shall be made as to whether or not the building and/or structure should be preferably preserved. If agreed to in writing by the applicant, the determination of the Commission may be postponed or extended.
(4) 
Negative determination. If the Commission determines that the building and/or structure is not preferably preserved, the Commission shall so notify the Building Commissioner and the applicant in writing. The Building Commissioner may then issue a building permit for demolition.
(5) 
Positive determination. If the Commission determines that the building and/or structure is preferably preserved, the Commission shall notify the Building Commissioner and the applicant in writing. When a positive determination has been issued then:
(a) 
No building permit for demolition may then be issued for a period of up to 12 months from the date of the original building permit application, unless otherwise agreed to by the Commission.
(b) 
The Building Commissioner may issue a building permit for demolition for a preferably preserved building or structure within this twelve-month period if both Subsection D(5)(b)[1] and [2] are met:
[1] 
The Commission notifies the Building Commissioner in writing that the Commission finds even with the issuance of the building permit for demolition that the intent and purpose of this chapter is served; or, in the judgment of the Commission, there is no feasible option for preservation, or when the Commission finds there is a clear and compelling economic benefit to the City which is greater than the benefits of preserving the structure; and
[2] 
All plans for future use and development of the site have been filed with the Building Commissioner and have been found to comply with all laws pertaining to the issuance of a building permit or zoning permit, including without limitation any necessary zoning findings, variances or special permits required for said use and development.
[Amended 2-1-2007]
(c) 
Following the twelve-month delay period, the Building Commissioner shall issue the building permit for demolition, provided that all plans for the use of the site after demolition have been found to comply with applicable laws and all permits and approvals for the development have been obtained and appeal periods concluded. If the property owner plans to keep the lot vacant, no such approvals are required.
(6) 
If the Commission does not so notify the Building Commissioner in writing within 21 days after the public hearing, the Building Commissioner may issue the building permit for demolition.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 156, Central Business and West Street Architecture.
A. 
With the adoption of this chapter, § 22-30 of the City's Code of Ordinances specifying how appointments are made to the Northampton Historical Commission has been amended. The amendment states that as terms of current members expire, the Mayor will appoint a representative from the Chamber of Commerce, followed by an architect, followed by a representative from the real estate or construction industry. (See § 22-30 adopted April 19, 1973 for more detail.)
B. 
The Commission may adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to administer the terms of this chapter. The Office of Planning and Sustainability is authorized to adopt a schedule of reasonable fees to cover the costs associated with the administration of this chapter.
C. 
The Commission may delegate authority to make initial determinations of significance to one or more members of the Commission or to a municipal employee.
D. 
The Commission may proactively develop other lists of significant buildings or structures that may be subject to this chapter. Buildings or structures proposed for the significant list of buildings and/or structures shall be added only following a public hearing.
[Amended 3-17-2022 by Ord. No. 21.355]
A. 
If, after an inspection, the Building Commissioner or the Board of Health finds that a building or structure subject to this chapter is found to pose an immediate threat to public health or safety, or the health and safety of the occupants due to its deteriorated or damaged condition, and that there is no reasonable alternative to the immediate demolition of the building or structure, then the Building Commissioner may issue an emergency building permit for demolition to the owner of the building after making every reasonable effort to notify the Commission (preferably within 48 hours) of making this determination. The Building Commissioner or the Board of Health shall then prepare a report explaining the condition of the building and the basis for the decision that shall be forwarded to the Commission.
B. 
The Building Commissioner shall require the property owner of the building and/or structure to be demolished to provide photographs and other documentation about the property as outlined in § 161-5, Procedure, of this chapter, or the Building Commissioner shall make every reasonable effort to provide the Commission reasonable time to document such building and/or structure prior to demolition, provided that such activity poses no threat to public health or safety, or appropriate precautions are taken to protect public health and safety.
A. 
Authorized agents. The Director of Planning and Sustainability or his/her designee is specifically authorized to institute any and all actions and proceedings, in law or equity, as they may deem necessary and appropriate to obtain compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
[Amended 3-17-2022 by Ord. No. 21.355]
B. 
Civil penalties. Civil penalties may be imposed if the owner or agent of a building and/or structure has willfully contributed to its deterioration during the demolition review period. Any owner of a building and/or structure subject to this chapter who demolishes a building and/or structure willfully or damages a portion of a building or structure in a way which increases its likelihood of total failure without first obtaining a building permit for demolition in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a civil fine as set forth in Chapter 1, § 1-17, General penalty. Each day the violation exists shall constitute a separate offense until the demolished building is re-created as directed by the Commission, or unless otherwise agreed to by the Commission. Notwithstanding the above, this chapter does not create an affirmative obligation to maintain a property.
[Amended 2-1-2007]
C. 
Building construction delay. If a building and/or structure subject to this chapter is demolished without first obtaining a building permit for demolition, no building permit shall be issued for a period of two years from the date of the demolition on the subject parcel of land unless otherwise agreed to by the Commission.
D. 
Relationship to other requirements. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to exempt applicants from any requirements of the State Building Code or other local ordinances and other rules and regulations.
E. 
Noncriminal disposition. In the alternative to civil prosecution, the City may utilize the noncriminal disposition procedure set forth in MGL c. 40, § 21D, in accordance with § 40-5 of the City Code.
Following a determination that a building and/or structure is significant and preferably preserved, the Commission may recommend that a building and/or structure be protected through the provisions of the MGL c. 40C, the Historic Districts Act. The steps required under MGL c. 40C shall be followed prior to the establishment of a local historic district. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to conflict with the provisions of the Historic District Act, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40C. If any of the provisions of this chapter do so conflict, that Act shall prevail.
This chapter shall take effect upon adoption by the City Council and shall be reviewed after a period of five years from the adoption date. This review will evaluate the way the chapter has worked and provide an opportunity to make any revisions or adjustments that may be required. The Historical Commission will make a presentation to the City Council articulating the number of applications that came before it, whether or not the delay period was activated, the time period of the delay before either a resolution was reached or a demolition permit was issued and any recommendations the Commission may have about the process.