[Massplanners] Properties in a Historic District

[Michelle Tyler]

Paige

Randolph has an historic district and we recorded the map at the Registry
of Deeds after its designation was approved.

Also, if you have an online mapping service (GIS), you can add an overlay
district.  I know that the MHC inventory layer was added just a few years
ago and is available to all communities. That will show specific PROPERTIES
that have been inventoried by MHC but not your specific  district
boundaries.

While those items are readily available to the general public, we are all
too familiar with lack of due diligence before a property sale/purchase.
*Michelle R. Tyler*
*Director of Planning*
*Town of Randolph*
*781-961-0936*
*Please be advised that the Massachusetts Secretary of State considers
e-mail to be a public record, and therefore subject to the Massachusetts
Public Records Law, M.G.L. c. 66 § 10.*


On Thu, Nov 10, 2022 at 11:04 AM Doherty, Jennifer (SEC) via MassPlanners <
massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:

> Hi Paige,
>
> As part of the legal process for establishing a local historic district,
> the districts must be recorded at the Registry of Deeds. However, for older
> districts these were often simply maps in the plans department, and they
> were often not indexed to all the properties by address, or noted in the
> deed section. For new districts we now recommend communities also record a
> list of properties in the deed section, so the district is more fully
> indexed by property.
>
>
>
> Some communities do yearly mailings to remind property owners, but I have
> heard concerns about doing that – “oh we didn’t receive the notice, how
> were we supposed to know?!” Plus, you presumably don’t mail something to
> owners in all land use zones reminding them of their zoning district every
> year! Signage, educating realtors, and making the information prominent on
> your Town website/GIS are often the best ways to go. Some communities will
> also keep an eye on Zillow, or if there is a realtor on the HDC, MLS, to
> flag when properties come up for sale and reach out to the agents.
>
>
>
> Thank you,
> Jenn
>
>
>
>
>
> *Jennifer B. Doherty*
>
> Local Government Programs Coordinator
>
> Massachusetts Historical Commission
>
> 220 Morrissey Boulevard
>
> Boston, MA 02125-3314
>
> Office: (617) 727-8470
>
> Remote: (617) 807-0685
>
> Jennifer.Doherty at sec.state.ma.us
>
>
>
> Sign up for the MassHistPres email listserv
> <https://mailman.cs.umb.edu/listinfo/masshistpres>  |  Register for virtual
> workshops <https://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcotr/otridx.htm>
>
>
>
> *From:* MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> *On Behalf Of *Paige
> via MassPlanners
> *Sent:* Thursday, November 10, 2022 10:52 AM
> *To:* Massplanners Listserv (MassPlanners at masscptc.org) <
> MassPlanners at masscptc.org>
> *Subject:* [Massplanners] Properties in a Historic District
>
>
>
> All,
>
>
>
> Looking to see if anyone has suggestions regarding properties in a
> Historic District. Basically a property in our District was sold and the
> owners were unaware it was in a HD. Through a series of errors, they were
> allowed to build a structure without review by the HD Commission.
>
>
>
> We know the Building Dept needs to catch these things but by the time they
> would have gone to Building, they already owned the property in a HD. We
> are hoping to make sure folks are notified during the pre-sale due
> diligence (or to make sure out of town realtors are aware and disclose).
>
>
>
> I have been asked to see if there are any ways to ensure folks are
> informed a property is in a HD up front. I know sign posting is one way but
> beyond that ...
>
>
>
> Does anyone know of a way to do a single filing at the registry that would
> flag the properties in the HD when deed research is being done?  Any other
> ideas or techniques?
>
>
>
> The other issue is making sure residents are reminded every so often. We
> will likely recommend the HD Commission send out an annual mailing covering
> the key points of being in a HD but wonder if other communities have come
> up against this issue and if they have any ideas or thoughts.
>
>
> Thank you in advance for any advice/input.
>
>
>
> ~Paige
>
>
>
> --
>
>
>
> *****************************
> Paige E. Duncan, AICP, Director of Land Use and Economic Development
> Foxborough Town Hall, 40 South Street
> Foxborough, Massachusetts 02035
> Ph: 508-543-1250
>
> pduncan at foxboroughma.gov
> --
> MassPlanners mailing list
> MassPlanners at masscptc.org
> http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org
>
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