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HRB presentation urges repair over replacement under Secretary of the Interior Standard 6
Summary
A board member urged the Historic Resources Board to prioritize 'repair rather than replace' (Secretary of the Interior Standard 6), citing environmental benefits, Mills Act incentives, and recommending a review of local ordinance and stronger documentation (including video) for upcoming rehabilitations such as 37 and 39 Central St.
Board member Eloise presented an overview of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, emphasizing Standard 6repair rather than replaceand urging the board to apply those principles to local rehabilitation projects.
"The 6th standard there is repair before replace," Eloise told the board, explaining that repair preserves character-defining features and avoids introducing conjectural details. She also cited environmental benefits of repair, saying repair results in "55% less" embodied carbon compared with replacement.
Eloise recommended the board review its local ordinance to ensure it aligns with the Secretary's standards, strengthen documentation requirements (including video records), audit recent approvals for consistency with standards 2, 3, 6, and 7, and coordinate with the State Historic Preservation Office. She noted the Mills Act tax credit creates incentives for property owners to pursue sensitive rehabilitation.
Board members raised technical concerns, including specialized treatments for masonry, plaster and mold in mission‑revival buildings and a prior neon‑sign restoration example. Staff clarified that the HRB can issue appropriateness considerations for major rehabilitation on officially designated historic resources and described local designation and Mills Act processes.
