Historic District Commission

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available before the meetings. Minutes are available and approved.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Members

• Deborah Flanagan, Chair, Realtor Representative
  (Term expires June 30, 2027)
• Dan Byer, Vice-Chair Member-At-Large
  (Term expires June 30, 2027)
• Kristina Campbell, Historic Commission Representative
  (Term Expires June 30, 2028)
• Debbie Broe, Member
  (Term expires June 30, 2026)
• Karen Meade, Member
  (Term expires June 30, 2026)
• Vacancy #1
• Vacancy #2
• Haesel Charlesworth, Alternate #1
  (Term expires June 2028)
• Alternate #2 (vacant)
• Brendan Chenelle, Select Board Liaison
• Michael Goddard, Secondary

Overview

• Online Application Form
• Paper application form (PDF)

At the Annual Town Meeting on May 5th, 2017, the Town voted to adopt a Historic District Bylaw. The Historic District Commission was also created to administer the new Historic District.

The purpose of this bylaw is to help property owners and the Town of Mendon in the preservation and protection of the distinctive characteristics and architecture of buildings and places significant in the history of the Town of Mendon, to encourage and support new and innovative building designs and techniques compatible with the existing architecture, and the promotion of those purposes as outlined in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40C.

This page also features the minutes and agendas from the Local Historic District Study Committee.

Email the Historic District Commission

Historic District Application Process

The applicant should review the District Guidelines, Rules, and Regulations (PDF) before submitting their application. The Historic District Commission encourages each applicant to review their application with the Chairperson before submission to discuss the specific materials and requirements necessary to ensure an application is complete.

• Property owner or their agent should complete the application in full and submit electronically or return the paper form to the Town Clerk's office.
• Within 14 days after the filing of a completed application, the Commission shall determine if the proposed work involves any exterior architectural features that are within the jurisdiction of the Commission.

Please note that all proposed exterior work within the Historic District should be preceded by an application. It is the sole purview of the Historic District Commission to determine if a proposal is within its jurisdiction. Any applications for a building permit within the district will be flagged for review and may be delayed if it is determined that the HDC has jurisdiction.

• If the Commission determines the application does not fall within their jurisdiction or the proposed work is exempt, they shall issue a certificate of Non-Applicability. The Applicant may then bring this certificate and proceed with their permit with the Building Department.
• If the Commission determines the application does fall within their jurisdiction, they shall hold a public hearing within 45 days from the date of filing of the completed application. At least 14 days before the hearing, notice shall be given on the Town's website as well as in a newspaper of general circulation. Copies of this notice will be mailed to the applicant, abutting properties within a 100 ft radius, and additional relevant parties per the bylaw.
• Within 60 days after the date of filing of a completed application, or within such further time as the applicant may allow in writing, the Commission shall issue a certificate of Appropriateness, Hardship, or Disapproval.
  • In the case of Disapproval, the Commission shall outline the reasons for such disapproval and may include specific recommendations for changes in the proposal. If, within 14 days, the applicant files a written modification of their application in conformity with the recommended changes of the Commission, the Commission shall issue a certificate of appropriateness.
• An appeals process is outlined in Section 7.13 of the bylaw.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions on the process or if your project will require review.

Exclusions

• The Commission shall exclude from its purview the following:
• Temporary Structures or signs, the duration of use, location, lighting, removal, and
• Terraces, walks, driveways, sidewalks, and similar Structures provided that any such Structure is substantially at grade level.
• Storm windows and doors, screens for windows and doors, and window air conditioners.
• The color of paint.
• The color of materials used on roofs.
• Signs of not more than one square foot in connection with use of a residence for a customary home occupation or professional purposes and, if illuminated, is illuminated only indirectly; and one sign in connection with the nonresidential use of each Building or structure which is not more that twelve (12) square feet in, consists of letters painted on wood without symbol or trademark and, if illuminated, is illuminated indirectly.
• The reconstruction, substantially similar in exterior design to a Building, structure, or exterior architectural feature damaged by fire, storm, or other disaster, provided such reconstruction is begun within one year thereafter and carried forward with due diligence.
• Pools and Play Structures (pending town meeting approval 11/14/22)

Nothing in this Bylaw shall be construed to prevent the ordinary maintenance, repair or replacement of any Exterior architectural feature within a District which does not involve a change in design, material, color or the outward appearance thereof, nor to prevent landscaping with plants, trees or shrubs, nor construed to prevent the meeting of requirements certified by a duly authorized public officer to be necessary for public safety because of an unsafe or dangerous condition, nor construed to prevent any Construction or alteration under a permit duly issued before the effective date of this Bylaw.

Upon request, the Commission shall issue a Certificate of non-applicability concerning Construction or alteration in any category not subject to review by the Commission under the above provisions.