10/15/2007 Annual Town Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Fina]study Report n Mashpee Historic District Page 2 of 15 Methodology M; The Mashpee Local Historic District Study Committee was established by the Board of Selectman in 1999 to investigate the possibility of creating one or more local historic districts in the town. Ground work for the LHDSC was accomplished through the completion of a town- F wide comprehensive historic and architectural survey completed in 1999-2000 by PAL, historic preservation consultants. The LHDSC met regularly between 1999 and 2000 to consider potential historic district areas. The LHDSC focused its early effort on discussion of Mashpee history and identifying the themes, resources, and locations in town that would be worthy of preservation and suitable for local historic district designation. Among the educational efforts of the LHDSC was a series of walking tours of the proposed historic district areas led by Earl Mills (Chief Flying Eagle), chair of the LHDSC and local historian. Two of the three planned walks were completed and video taped. The LHDSC showed the tapes again at the recent public informational meeting. The LHDSC identified two areas.in the traditional town center that together would be a potential Mashpee Center Historic District and prepared maps. These areas Upper Main Street and Lower Main Street related to two survey areas in the town-wide survey,Area A,Mashpee Town Center and Area E,Lower Main Street. The two initial Mashpee Center Historic District areas delineated by the LHDSC stretched along Route 130/Main Street and extend down Great Neck Road North and a few other side streets,meeting at Bessie's Bog. After a hiatus due to lack of support staff; the LHDSC resumed meetings in winter of 2005-2006 rc with renewed vigor and determination and engaged a historic preservation consultant to assist with the process. Chris Skelly of the Massachusetts Historical Commission met with the LHDSC on June 26, 2006. The LHDSC reviewed the two initial historic district boundaries that had been proposed in 2000. Following lengthy discussion, review of the town's comprehensive M" inventory for Areas A and E, and further consideration of review and administrative aspects of a local historic district, the LHDSC refined the boundaries into one smaller district that encompasses the heart of Mashpee Town Center. This is the local historic district being ., proposed by the LHDSC. All property owners in the proposed Mashpee Center Historic District were invited to attend a public informational meeting on November 20, 2007. Residents received a letter invitation and a �► �' copy of a brochure prepared by the LHDSC describing the proposed district. Approximately 20 people attended the meeting. In addition to the brochures and the walking tour video, presentation materials included a large scale map of the district overlaid on an aerial photograph, and a poster with photographs of properties in the district superimposed on a map of the district. The Town Planner, the LHDSC chairperson, and the Town's historic .consultant explained the i purpose and value of creating a local historic district in Mashpee. They talked about how having a local historic district in place would help preserve the historic character of Mashpee's traditional town center for the future. They explained that the historic district commission would b. review exterior changes visible from a public way on existing buildings, as well as new developments to ensure that changes and new construction are appropriate to the character of the 1 district. Comments and questions were generally positive. One-on-one conversations are N I ongoing with individual property owners by the LHDSC chairperson and other members of the LHDSC who live in the district.