As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
BUILDING
A structure enclosed within exterior walls or firewalls,
built, erected and framed of a combination of any materials to form
a structure for the shelter of persons, animals or property.
BUILDING INSPECTOR
The administrative chief of the Building Department who is
charged with the administration and enforcement of the State Building
Code, 780 CMR, and is authorized to issue demolition permits.
DEMOLITION
Any act of pulling down, destroying, removing, dismantling
or razing 25% or more of a building, streetscape, monument, or neighborhood
and commencing the work of total or partial destruction with the intent
of completing the same.
DEMOLITION PERMIT
The permit issued by the Building Inspector as required by
the State Building Code for a demolition, substantial demolition or
removal of a building.
HISTORICALLY OR ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT BUILDING
Any building, in whole or in part, which is at least 75 years
old, or is of unknown age and:
A.
Is included in the Cultural Resources Inventory
prepared by the Commission, or
B.
Has been determined by vote of the Commission
to be a significant building after a finding by the Commission that
the building meets one or more of the following three criteria.
(1)
Historical importance. The building meets the
criteria of historical importance if it:
(a)
Has character, interest or value as part of
the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the Town
of Georgetown, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the nation; or
(b)
Is the site of an historic event; or
(c)
Is identified with a person or group of persons
who has some influence on society; or
(d)
Exemplifies the cultural, political, economic,
social or historic heritage of the community.
(2)
Architectural importance. The structure meets
the criteria of architectural importance if it:
(a)
Portrays the environment of a group of people
in an era of history characterized by a distinctive architectural
style; or
(b)
Embodies those distinguishing characteristics
of an architectural type; or
(c)
Is the work of an architect, master builder
or craftsman whose individual work has influenced the development
of the Town; or
(d)
Contains elements of architectural design, detail,
materials or craftsmanship, which represents a significant innovation.
(3)
Geographic importance. The structure meets the
criteria of geographic importance if:
(a)
The site is part of, or related to, a square,
park, or other distinctive area; or
(b)
The structure, as to its unique location or
its physical characteristics, represents an established and familiar
visual feature of the neighborhood village center, or the community
as a whole.
Once a significant building is determined to
be a preferably preserved building, the owner shall be responsible
for properly securing the building, if vacant, to the satisfaction
of the Building Inspector. Should the owner fail to so secure the
building, a subsequent destruction of the building at any time during
the six-month demolition delay period, which destruction could have
been prevented by the required security measures, shall be considered
a demolition in violation of this bylaw.
In case any section, paragraph or part of this
bylaw be for any reason declared invalid or unconstitutional by any
court, every other section, paragraph and part shall continue in full
force and effect.