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Commission offers advisory support for 81 Henshaw conversion, discusses awards program and Florence nomination next steps
Summary
The commission endorsed an advisory comment supporting the residential conversion at 81 Henshaw Avenue as consistent with its ordinance’s character‑defining feature standard, agreed to create an awards nomination form for preservation recognition, and said it would seek clarification from MassHistorical staff about the Florence Historic District nomination process.
The Northampton Historical Commission used part of its Jan. 20 agenda to consider several advisory and program items. On 81 Henshaw Avenue, staff said the application seeks permission for a residential conversion of a historic outbuilding under a recently amended ordinance that allows flexibility for interior conversions while preserving key character‑defining features.
Commissioners noted the exterior work on the outbuilding already appears reversible and that the structure retains elements that could meet the ordinance’s requirement that "key character‑defining features shall be preserved to the extent feasible." "It gives it more prominence, and it's charming," one commissioner said of the exterior work already completed. The commission’s comments are advisory to the planning board; staff clarified that the commission need not provide mandatory approvals for this out‑of‑district property.
Members also discussed restarting a historic preservation awards program. Commissioners proposed drafting an online nomination form to invite submissions and suggested using a modest portion of the commission’s funds for initial plaques or design work. Staff volunteered to adapt an existing nomination form from the commission’s files for online use and to coordinate outreach via the city newsletter.
On the Florence Historic District / Lawrence project, commissioners said they received an encouraging but unclear message from Ben Haley at the Massachusetts Historical Commission about the National Register nomination. Members agreed to request a clarifying meeting with Haley and to identify how many Form B property inventories remain before the nomination can proceed.
Commissioners briefly revisited funding sources, and staff explained limits on Community Preservation Act funding for strictly private projects and noted historic tax credits as a more likely source for larger rehabilitation projects.
