Holyoke City historic commission approves minutes, notes drop in COA requests and interest in Wyckoff Park district

The Holyoke City Local Historic District Commission met on Feb. 20 and unanimously approved its minutes before discussing a recent drop in Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications, possible interest in creating a local historic district in Wyckoff Park and slow follow‑through from prospective commissioners.

Commission business opened with a motion to approve minutes from the previous meeting. Commissioner Steven moved to approve the minutes and Commissioner Mateo seconded; by roll call the motion passed with Commissioner Steven, Commissioner Katie and Commissioner Mateo voting yes.

The commission then turned to why the body has received fewer COA applications. Chair (name not specified) said, "There seems to be fewer COAs coming in," and suggested several explanations. The chair told members, "I think that interest rates are high," and added that seasonal conditions limit exterior work: "it's winter because we are only having a voice in exterior work and that's especially in the frozen." Commissioner Katie and Commissioner Mateo agreed that winter conditions make exterior projects less likely; Commissioner Katie also cited rising property taxes and homeowners insurance costs as factors reducing homeowners' discretionary funds.

Chair (name not specified) and other commissioners discussed whether owners might be doing work without submitting COAs but said they had not observed exterior renovations on local streets and therefore had no evidence of widespread unpermitted work.

The commission considered a separate inquiry from a Wyckoff Park resident who attended a December meeting about what it would take for the neighborhood to become a local historic district. Chair (name not specified) said that the conversation stalled over the holidays and that Beth had been connected to the resident; the chair said they would "touch base" with Beth and the resident to see whether there is traction before the next meeting.

Members also noted that several people who had previously expressed interest in serving as commissioners have not followed through; the chair described those prospects as "not real." The commission had no further business and a motion to adjourn, moved by Commissioner Steven and seconded by Commissioner Katie, passed by roll call with all three commissioners voting yes.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve minutes: mover Commissioner Steven; seconder Commissioner Mateo; vote: Steven—yes, Katie—yes, Mateo—yes; outcome: approved. - Motion to adjourn: mover Commissioner Steven; seconder Commissioner Katie; vote: Steven—yes, Katie—yes, Mateo—yes; outcome: approved (meeting adjourned).

The meeting lasted under 10 minutes and covered only a short agenda; commissioners said they will follow up on the Wyckoff Park inquiry and outreach to prospective commissioners ahead of the next meeting.