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.
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;
(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.
