To be eligible for designation as an historic district, historic site or historic landmark, an area or property shall possess one or more of the following characteristics:
A. 
Buildings, structures, or sites importantly associated with significant historic personages and/or historic events.
B. 
Buildings, structures, structural remains and sites which illustrate examples of historical architectural styles valuable for study of a period or method of construction or a single notable structure representing the work of a master builder, designer or architect.
C. 
Structures, buildings and sites which contribute to the visual continuity of the historic district.
D. 
Those sites, buildings, structures or areas on or eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
A. 
Uses permitted; no changes required. This chapter does not alter the existing land use regulations in the South Berwick Zoning Ordinance,[1] which continues to apply to the land and buildings located within the historic district. However, exterior alterations to the buildings and structures, including walls, fences, steps and paint color, and any new buildings or structures within the district shall require a certificate of appropriateness as described in § 84-9.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 140, Zoning.
B. 
Passage of this chapter shall not require any existing or future owner or renter of property to make any exterior changes to his building(s). The provisions of this chapter shall apply only to new exterior alterations proposed by the owner or renter of property with the exception for basic maintenance. The basic maintenance requirement as stated in § 84-12B of this chapter shall apply to owners of structures, sites and landmarks within the historic district.
[Amended 8-26-1991; 11-22-1999]
Designation of historic districts, historic sites and historic landmarks may be accomplished by amending Subsection A of this section according to the procedure outlined in § 84-10F and in accordance with this section.
A. 
The following are designated as historic districts, historic sites and historic landmarks:
(1) 
Village Center Historic District. The location and boundaries of the South Berwick Village Center Historic District are shown on an Official Historic District Map, dated June 15, 1999, attached to this chapter as Appendix A and further identified on a list of included properties in accordance with the 1999 South Berwick Property Tax Maps, attached to this chapter as Appendix A-1.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendixes A and A-1 are included at the end of this chapter.
(2) 
Liberty Street Historic District. The location and boundaries of the South Berwick Liberty Street Historic District are shown on an Official Historic District Map, dated June 15, 1999, attached to this chapter as Appendix B and further identified on a list of included properties in accordance with the 1999 South Berwick Property Tax Maps, attached to this chapter as Appendix B-1.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Appendixes B and B-1 are included at the end of this chapter.
(3) 
Conway Railroad Turntable. The location and boundaries of the Conway Railroad Turntable site are shown on an Official Historic District Map attached to this chapter as Appendix C.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: Appendixes C and C-1 are included at the end of this chapter.
B. 
Designation of historic districts, historic sites and historic landmarks may be initiated as follows:
(1) 
By the Town Council, provided that a majority of the Council has voted.
(2) 
By the Planning Board, provided that a majority of the Board has voted.
(3) 
By the Historic District Commission, provided that a majority of the Commission has voted.
(4) 
By the written petition of a number of voters equal to at least 10% of the registered voters of the Town and following the provisions of the Town Charter, Article VIII, Section 2.
(5) 
By an application to the Historic District Commission by an individual who owns property which he or she considers to be an historic site or landmark.
C. 
Consent. Property may be designated an historic site or landmark only with the written consent of the property owner(s). A new or expanded historic district may be designated only with written consent of the majority of the property owners within the proposed district or expansion.
D. 
Recommendation. The Historic District Commission will formulate recommendations after researching proposed historic districts, landmarks, or sites to determine if the district, landmark or site meets the criteria in this chapter and if consent has been obtained in accordance with Subsection C. The Historic District Commission shall make written recommendations regarding designation to the Town Council. The Town Council shall also seek written recommendations from the Planning Board and Town Planner.
E. 
Application. To initiate the designation of an historic district, landmark or site, a written application containing the information required by these following subsections shall be completed and directed to the Chair of the Historic District Commission. A copy shall also be filed with the Town Clerk.
(1) 
Designation and establishment of structures, buildings and sites. Applications for the designation of historic structures, buildings and sites shall include the following:
(a) 
A concise description of the physical elements, qualities, architectural style, period and historical significance represented by the structure or site, including consideration of scale, materials, workmanship and spatial qualities, as relevant;
(b) 
A concise statement of how the building, structure or site meets the review criteria of § 84-5 above; and
(c) 
Interior and exterior photographs of the structure or a site map illustrating significant details described in this section.
(2) 
Designation of districts. Applications for the designation of historic districts shall include the following:
(a) 
A concise statement of the remaining physical elements which make this area an historic district and a description of building types and architectural styles;
(b) 
A concise statement of how the district meets the review criteria of § 84-5;
(c) 
A justification of the boundaries of the proposed district;
(d) 
A definition of the types of structures that do not contribute to the significance of the district and an estimate of the percentage of noncontributing structures; and
(e) 
A map showing all structures in the district with the identification of contributing structures.
(3) 
Expansion of an existing district. Applications for the expansion of existing historic districts shall include the following:
(a) 
A concise statement of the physical elements that justify expansion of an existing district, an explanation detailing how the expansion is consistent with the character of the district and a description of building types and architectural styles and periods represented;
(b) 
A concise statement of how the expansion of an existing district meets the review criteria of § 84-5;
(c) 
A justification of the expanded boundaries of the district;
(d) 
A definition of the types of structures, buildings, and sites that do not contribute to the significance of the district and an estimate of the percentage of noncontributing ones in the historic district's proposed expansion area; and
(e) 
A map showing all structures in the proposed expansion area with the identification of contributing structures.