Building department redirects Morgan Street multifamily permit to Holyoke historic district commission

At its March meeting, the Holyoke City Local Historic District Commission heard that the building department redirected a request for a multifamily building permit for a Morgan Street parcel that had been separated from 48 Fairfield because the lot is within the local historic district.

Commission staff told members a building department representative contacted the commission after the purchaser sought information about a multifamily building permit and appeared not to know the parcel was in the historic district. Commission staff said Davin sent an official letter to the prospective applicant stating the lot is in the local historic district and that an application must come before the commission before any building permit is issued.

The referral means the applicant will need to consult the commission before the building department can proceed with issuing a permit. Commission members said they had not yet received an application but that staff would update the commission as the file moves forward. "They said that they were not clear that it was in the historic district," a commission member reported. "Davin sent him an official letter that says that it's in the local historic district and that they would have to come to us before any building permit is issued," the member added.

Commissioners also discussed likely near-term administrative work: as snow melts, staff expects to receive more applications for certificates of appropriateness (COAs) and exterior work. Members proposed offering community education in summer months, possibly partnering with the fire department to combine historic-preservation guidance with safety information. One member noted common household electrical hazards in older houses, citing concern about knob-and-tube wiring as an example of a safety issue homeowners often face while preserving historic fabric.

The commission approved the meeting minutes by roll call. Matteo, Beth and Katie recorded "yes" votes during the roll call; the motion carried.

Before adjourning, the commission agreed to set its next meeting at the end of the month and directed staff to post the schedule. A commission member said they would notify Steven to place the meeting on the calendar and circulate the minutes and the Davin letter to commissioners for review.

The meeting lasted only a short time and focused on administrative follow-up rather than final reviews or formal COA hearings. Commissioners said they will monitor the Morgan Street parcel and notify the commission when a formal application arrives.