The Community Preservation Committee on Jan. 9 considered a request from the Fall River Historical Commission for consultant funding to study and advance an expansion of the Highlands local historic district. Jason Bouchard Naraki, chair of the Historical Commission, described the plan to survey roughly 165 properties and prepare the MassHistorical Form D report, and asked for $69,607 to fund outreach and research.

The matter matters for property owners and neighborhood preservation: a local 40C district gives the city authority to review exterior changes visible from the public way and to deny demolition applications, whereas listing on the National Register is predominantly honorary.

Jason Bouchard Naraki, chair of the Historical Commission, told the committee that Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40C requires a two-thirds City Council vote to establish a local historic district and that 100 percent property-owner consent is not required. "We do need, 2 thirds city council vote for it to pass," Bouchard Naraki said, and he outlined the proposed boundaries along Highland Avenue and neighboring streets.

Committee members asked about owner outreach. Bouchard Naraki said that a July mail survey to 148 properties returned roughly 35 responses and that a second, digital survey will be sent to property owners. He said the commission will provide mailers and explanatory pamphlets explaining differences between national-register designation and a local district and plans to follow Massachusetts Historical Commission guidance on public outreach and documentation.

Members also asked about practical effects. Bouchard Naraki said a local district would require a certificate of appropriateness from the Historical Commission before a building permit is issued for exterior changes visible from the public way; routine maintenance and most paint or roof-color choices are typically exempt. He described the Highland neighborhood as containing “the highest degree of architectural significance in the city of Fall River” and said the study aims to identify roughly two blocks of additional properties for protection and future funding opportunities.

Two committee members recused themselves from discussion because of ties to preservation organizations. The committee did not vote on the request during the hearing and said it would consider the application during deliberations.