The purpose of these Rules and Regulations is to aid in the preservation and protection of the distinctive characteristics and architecture of buildings and places significant in the history of the Town of Easton, the maintenance and improvement of their settings and the encouragement of new building designs compatible with the existing architecture in the district, all pursuant to Chapter
152 of the Bylaws of the Town of Easton.
The following definitions are adopted from Chapter
152, the Local Historic District By-Law. These terms retain the same definition for the purposes of these rules and regulations.
ALTERATION, TO ALTER
The act or the fact of rebuilding, reconstruction, restoration,
replication, removal, demolition, and other similar activities.
BUILDING
A combination of materials forming a shelter for persons,
animals or property.
CERTIFICATE
A Certificate of Appropriateness, a Certificate of Non-Applicability, or a Certificate of Hardship as set forth in Chapter
152 and these Rules and Regulations.
COMMISSION
The Local Historic District Commission as established in Chapter
152.
DISPLAY AREA
The total surface area of a sign, including all lettering,
wording, designs, symbols, background and frame, but not including
any support structure or bracing incidental to the sign. The display
area of an individual letter sign or irregular shaped sign shall be
the area of the smallest rectangle into which the letters or shape
will fit. Where sign faces are placed back to back and face in opposite
directions, the display area shall be defined as the area of one face
of the sign.
DISTRICT
The Local Historic District as established in this chapter
consisting of one or more District areas.
EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE
Such portion of the exterior of a building or structure as
is open to view from a public way or ways, including but not limited
to architectural style and general arrangement and setting thereof,
the kind and texture of exterior building materials, and the type
and style of windows, doors, lights, signs and other appurtenant exterior
fixtures.
PERSON AGGRIEVED
The applicant; an owner of adjoining property; an owner of
property within the same District area; an owner of property within
100 feet of said District area; and any charitable corporation in
which one of its purposes is the preservation of historic places,
structures, buildings or districts.
SIGNS
Any symbol, design or device used to identify or advertise
any place of business, product, activity or person.
STRUCTURE
A combination of materials other than a building, including
but not limited to a sign, fence, wall, terrace, walk or driveway.
TEMPORARY BUILDING
A building not to be in existence for a period of more than
two years. The Commission may further limit the time periods set forth
herein as it deems appropriate.
TEMPORARY STRUCTURE OR BUILDING
A structure not to be in existence for a period of more than
one year. The Commission may further limit the time periods set forth
herein as it deems appropriate.
Full compliance with the rules and regulations may be waived
by majority vote of the Easton Historic District Commission, provided
such waivers are deemed to serve the public interest and do not conflict
with MGL c. 40C. Requested waivers shall be submitted in writing at
the time of the application.
The rules and regulations are severable. If any provision of
these rules and regulations is held invalid, the other provisions
shall not be affected thereby. If the application of these rules and
regulations, or any of its provisions to any person or circumstances
is held invalid, the application of these rules and regulations and
their provisions to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected
thereby.