This article shall be known and may be cited
as the "Historic Districts Ordinance" under authority of Massachusetts
General Laws, Chapter 40C, as amended.
The purpose of this article is to promote the
educational, cultural, physical, economic and general welfare of the
public through the preservation and protection of the historical assets
of the Bradford Common area, including buildings, sites and districts
of historical and architectural interest, through the maintenance
of such landmarks of the history of the Bradford Common area, the
commonwealth and the nation and through the development of appropriate
uses and settings for such buildings and places.
The boundaries of the Bradford Common Historic
District are hereby established as shown on a map entitled "Boundaries
of the Bradford Common Historic District" dated July 1975, which accompanies
and is hereby declared to be a part of this article.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Doc. 76]
No building or structure within a Historic District shall be constructed, demolished, moved or altered in any way that affects exterior architectural features, and no building shall be moved into a Historic District unless the Commission shall first have issued a certificate of appropriateness, a certificate of hardship or a certificate of nonapplicability with respect to such construction, alteration or movement. The Building Inspector shall not issue a permit within a Historic District unless one of the certificates noted above has first been issued by the District Commission or the proposed improvement is exempted from these provisions by §
54-19. If the Commission fails to reach a final decision on an application for such a certificate within 60 days of the filing of an application, unless the applicant consents to an extension of time, the application shall be deemed to be approved.
The authority of the District Commission is
not extended to the review of the following:
A. Temporary structures or signs, subject, however, to
such conditions as to duration of use, location, lighting, removal
and similar matters as the Commission may reasonably specify.
B. Terraces or landscaping that does not substantially
change the grade level.
C. Storm doors, storm windows, screens, window air conditioners
and television antennas.
E. Repairs that do not alter the character of the structure.
[Amended 8-10-1976 by Doc. 130]
The District Commission shall have all the powers
and responsibilities of a Historic District Commission as described
in Chapter 40C of the Massachusetts General Laws.
The District Commission may receive and accept
appropriations, grants and gifts for the furthering of the purposes
of this article, to establish a historic marker program, publish guides,
maps and other appropriate publications to illustrate historical and
architectural resources of Bradford and to acquire and maintain historic
properties.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Doc. 76]
The District Commission shall serve in an advisory
capacity to the Mayor, the City Council, the Planning Board, the Massachusetts
Historical Commission and any other public agency on matters pertaining
to or affecting any historic structures or sites in the Bradford Common
Historic District.
The Planning Director or his designee shall
act as technical advisor to the District Commission and shall cooperate
with the District Commission in the fulfillment of the District Commission's
responsibilities under the General Laws of Massachusetts and shall
perform any and all functions of the Commission which it may lawfully
delegate to him.
The District Commission shall propose changes
in the Bradford Common Historic District boundaries as it deems appropriate.
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40C, will guide the procedures
for these activities.