Boston Landmarks Commission
The Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) is the historic preservation agency for the City of Boston. The commission was created by state legislation in 1975.
History
Urban renewal in the United States started with the
Responsibilities
The chief responsibilities of the Landmark Commission include identifying historic resources through preservation surveys, protecting and recognizing historic properties through designation, and preserving designated Landmarks through the design review process.
The BLC also administers Article 85 Demolition Delay for the entire city of Boston. Whenever a building proposed to be demolished is determined by BLC staff to be significant, the public is invited to testify at a public hearing. If the BLC invokes a 90-day Demolition Delay as a result, there is an opportunity for the community to participate in discussions with the developer and explore alternatives to demolition.
The Commission meets twice a month on second and fourth Tuesdays - Design Review starts a few hours prior to the business portion at every fourth Tuesday hearing. Applicants propose changes to a Landmark by presenting at the hearing, and the public is invited to comment.
Commissioners
Commissioners are nominated by professional and neighborhood organizations, and appointed by the Mayor. Most are also confirmed by City Council. All commissioner positions are voluntary. There are 85 commissioner slots among the Boston Landmarks Commission and the 10 local historic commissions, although BLC commissioners also hold slots on local commissions.
Historic Districts
There are currently 7 historic designated districts and 3 architectural districts. Each district has its own commission staffed by a preservation planner within the Boston Landmarks Commission. The commissioners assure that the architectural and historical integrity of the district is not compromised. The districts include:
- Historic Beacon Hill District[2]
- Back Bay Architectural District[3]
- Bay State Road/ Back Bay West Architectural Conservation District[4]
- St. Botolph Architectural Conservation District[5]
- Bay Village Historic District[6]
- South End Landmark District[7]
- Mission Hill Triangle Architectural Conservation District[8]
- Aberdeen Architectural Conservation District[9]
- Fort Point Channel Landmark District[10]
- Highland Park Architectural Conservation District[11]
Highland Park in Roxbury was most recently designated in 2022.
See also
References
- ^ "Urban Renewal | The West End Museum". thewestendmuseum.org. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 2016-12-14.
- ^ "Beacon Hill Architectural District | Boston.gov". www.boston.gov. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "Back Bay Architectural District | Boston.gov". www.boston.gov. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "Bay State Road/Back Bay West Area Architectural Conservation District | Boston.gov". www.boston.gov. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "St. Botolph Area Architectural Conservation District | Boston.gov". www.boston.gov. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "St. Botolph Area Architectural Conservation District | Boston.gov". www.boston.gov. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "South End Landmark District | Boston.gov". www.boston.gov. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "Mission Hill Triangle Architectural Conservation District | Boston.gov". www.boston.gov. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "Aberdeen Architectural Conservation District | Boston.gov". www.boston.gov. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "Fort Point Channel Landmark District | Boston.gov". www.boston.gov. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "Highland Park Architectural Conservation District | Boston.gov". www.boston.gov. 2022-05-11. Retrieved 2024-01-11.