[Ord. 16, passed 4-23-2002]
This chapter shall be known as the Watertown Historic District Ordinance and is adopted pursuant to Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 40C, as amended.
[Ord. 16, passed 4-23-2002]
The purpose of this chapter is to:
(A)
Safeguard the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the preservation and protection of distinctive characteristics of buildings of historic or architectural significance and to encourage growth, development or improvements to be compatible therewith; and
(B)
Affect and accomplish the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of the improvements and features and of districts which represent or reflect elements of the City's unique cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history.
[Ord. 16, passed 4-23-2002]
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
Includes the words "rebuilt", "reconstructed", "restored", "removed" and "demolished", and the phrase "changed in exterior color".
A combination of materials forming a shelter for persons, animals or property.
The Commission acting as the Historic District Commission (HDC).
Includes the words "built", "erected", "installed", "enlarged", and "moved".
The portion of the exterior of a building or structure as is open to view from a public street, public way, public park or public body of water, including but not limited to the architectural style and general arrangement and setting thereof, the kind, color and texture of exterior building materials, the color of paint or other materials applied to exterior surfaces and the type and style of windows, doors, lights, signs and other appurtenant exterior fixtures.
The applicant, an owner of adjoining property, an owner of property within the same historic district as property within 100 feet of the property lines and any charitable corporation in which one of its purposes is the preservation of historic structures or districts.
A combination of materials other than a building, including a sign, fence, wall, terrace, walk or driveway.
[Ord. 16, passed 4-23-2002]
(A)
There is hereby established under the provision of Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 40C, a historic district to be known as the Mount Auburn Street Historic District, which is described on a plan known as "Proposed Mount Auburn Street Area, Watertown Historic District", dated March 1, 2000, filed with the City Clerk and the South Middlesex Registry of Deeds.
(B)
Ordinances protecting the safety of the public or the users of a building shall be fully in force and applicable. Where the safety ordinances conflict with the historic ordinances, the safety ordinances shall prevail.
[Ord. 16, passed 4-23-2002]
(A)
No building or structure within the historic district shall be constructed or altered in any way that affects exterior architectural features unless the HDC shall first have issued a certificate of appropriateness, a certificate of non-applicability or a certificate of hardship with respect to the construction or alteration.
(B)
Any person who desires to obtain a certificate from the HDC shall file with the Commission an application for a certificate of appropriateness, a certificate of non-applicability or a certificate of hardship, in the form as the HDC may reasonably determine, together with the plans, elevations, specifications, material and other information as may reasonably deemed necessary by the HDC to enable it to make an informed determination on the application.
(C)
No building permit for construction of a building or alteration of an exterior architectural feature within the historic district shall be issued by the City or any department thereof until the certificate required by this section has been issued by the HDC.