Showing posts with label landmarking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label landmarking. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Landmarks Meeting Thursday, 9/8

The FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION will hold a public hearing:

Thursday, September 8 2011
5:30 P.M.
BOSTON CITY HALL, CURLEY ROOM


Subject of the hearing will be applications for Certificates of Design Approval on the agenda below, reviews of architectural violations, and
such businesses as may come before the commission, in accordance with Chapter 772 of the Acts of 1975, as amended. Applications are
available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Environment Department. Sign language interpreters are
available upon request.


FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION
David Berarducci, Susan Goganian, John Karoff, Yanni Tsipis, Michele Yeeles
Alternates: B.K. Boley, Kosta Ligris


319 A Street
John Matteson, W2005BWH II Realty, LLC:
Replace windows on sidewalk and 1st floor levels with wood windows, restore wood transoms at West and A St. elevations, replace windows on 2nd-5th floors with metal windows, all to match existing window profiles.

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Landmark Meeting, 1/13

The FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION will hold a public hearing:

Thursday, January 13, 2011
5:00 P.M.
BOSTON CITY HALL, CURLEY ROOM




Monday, April 05, 2010

Fort Point Landmark District Hearing, 4/8


 
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
 
The FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION will hold a public hearing:
 

DATE:                                Thursday April 8, 2010

TIME:                                 5:00 P.M.
PLACE:                              BOSTON CITY HALL, ROOM 801
 
Subject of the hearing will be applications for Certificates of Design Approval on the agenda below, reviews of architectural violations, and such businesses as may come before the commission, in accordance with Chapter 772 of the Acts of 1975, as amended.  Applications are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Environment Department.  Sign language interpreters are available upon request. 
 
Please ensure that all electronic devices are silenced prior to entering the hearing room.
 
After 5:30 p.m., enter and exit City Hall at the Dock Square entrance on Congress Street (across from Faneuil Hall).
 
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE APPLICANT ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND
 
FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION
 David Berarducci, Susan Goganian, John Karoff, Yanni Tsipis, Michele Yeeles
Alternates: B.K. Boley, Kosta Ligris
 
 
DESIGN REVIEW APPLICATIONS
 
5:00 pm
Application: 10. 1067 FPC               368 Congress Street
Applicant:                                          Steve Brooks, CFS Seaport LLC: The applicant is requesting an extension of the Certificate of Appropriateness for temporary signage on the Congress Street Façade regarding application 09.1134 FPC. 
 
5:15 pm
Application: 10.1069 FPC                332-340 Summer Street
Applicant:                                          Fort Point Realty Group Trust, Edward A. Gottlieb: Installation of 6 concrete planters at frontage of a surface parking lot.
 
5:40 pm
Application: 10.1070 FPC                Corner of A and Binford streets
Applicant:                                          Channel Center Holdings/VAF, LLC, Richard Galvin: Construction of a park.
 
 
 
VIOLATION
6:10 pm                                              319A Street
.                                                               Installation of unauthorized signage and lighting on A Street façade. 
 
 
PROJECTED ADJOURNMENT: 6:20 p.m.
Date posted: March 26, 2010
 
cc:  Mayor, Inspectional Services Department, City Clerk, Boston Redevelopment Authority, Applicants,
District City Councilors, Neighborhood Services, Property Owners, Law Department, Abutters (from most recent tax list)
 
For additional information, please contact Fort Point Channel Landmark District Commission staff at 617-635-3850 or caitlin.greeley@cityofboston.gov

Friday, January 01, 2010

319 A St. at Landmark Commission Meeting, 1/14

There's a Fort Point Landmark Commission meeting which will include a section on the 319 A St. project proposed by Goldman Properties.


Fort Point Channel Landmark District Commission
Public hearing


Thursday January 14th, 2009
5 PM
Boston City Hall, Piemonte Room, 5th Floor

Agenda:

5 PM - Review and discussion of second DRAFT FPCLDC by-laws
5:15 - Advisory Design Review: 319 A St.
6:15 - Administrative Review: 24" x 15" sign at 330 Congress Street
6:20 - Adjournment

For additional information, contact the Fort Point Channel Landmark District Commission staff: 617.635.3850.

Monday, February 02, 2009

Fort Point Landmark District Approved

Boston City Council voted Wednesday afternoon to accept the amended guidelines from the Landmark Study Committee. This means that the Fort Point Landmark District is now official. You can read the guidelines and more information about the process on this page on the City's website:

http://www.cityofboston.gov/environment/fpc/default.asp

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Landmarking Letters

The guidelines for making Fort Point an Historic Landmark District are going to be voted on by the Landmarks Commission. The committee has worked hard to draft guidelines that will protect the historic character of the neighborhood and make sure that new buildings and development projects are able to go forward in a way that respects this.

At the public meeting, there was some pressure by the large landowners to have more control over the committee and process, and you can bet they will make their opinions heard. I encourage all Foint Pointers to write a letter to the Landmarks Commission. They can be mailed or faxed:

Katie McLaughlin
Boston Landmarks Commission
Boston City Hall, Room 895
Boston. MA 02201

Fax: 617-635-3435



The letter should state how you're connected to the neighborhood (resident, owner, business owner, etc.). Some talking points to consider:


1. The Appointment and makeup of the Commission.


-Long-term stakeholders need representation. The Landmarking process was initiated by the advocacy of such existing community organizations (FPAC,
SAND, FPNA, FPCC, etc.) and represents years of work and effort on their part. Each of the Community organizations should have an ex-officio representation on the commission, to ensure long-term neighborhood representation.

-The representation of commercial owners and developers on the district commission needs to be BALANCED to restrict CONFLICT OF INTEREST and to ensure due community process.

-There are recent owners and developers who have allowed buildings to go vacant and deteriorate, while waiting to resell them. This short-term interest has caused blight in the district with numerous vacant buildings that will most likely remain empty during the current economic downturn.

-The City has a precedent where residents are given greater deference on a
commission because they are most impacted, and represent long-term interest.

-The ability or interest of the "OWNER/ Developers" regulating themselves if
made the sole composition of the board, is limited, especially in the
current climate. Many of these individuals/owners already belong to other
organizations with overlapping interests and during the public comment
process have used these organizations as a tool for pushing development
interests and agendas within the landmark process.


2. REGULATIONS VERSUS GUIDELINES.

- Developers are arguing for a watering down of the proposed Standards and Criteria that were modeled after similar Landmark Districts in the City.

- During the public comment process, much of the language was already revised in response to property owner/ developer concerns for special circumstances and potential economic hardships. For example, in many instances the word 'shall' was replaced with the word 'should,' to address concerns voiced. The Standards and Criteria as written represent a document reached through public process that is comparable to those in place in other districts throughout the City and should be approved as such.

-The Commision's role in interpreting the guidelines painstakingly crafted over a nearly two-year process must be clarified.

-The landmark district regulations must mirror similar successful regulatory practices in other districts in the City (South End, Back Bay, Aberdeen).

3. Specific Regulations being sought to be changed by developers: a. Retail storefronts, b. Additions to Buildings, c. Demolition by Neglect

-Each of these issues (retail storefronts, additions to buildings, and demolition by neglect) have been raised several times in the Study Committee over the course of several meetings each, and as drafted represent a balance between development and conservation interests.

- Last minute representations by paid counsel of a few developers should not override the hundreds of hours of testimony and letters provided by the community.

-The current guidelines are modeled after successful Landmark regulations in Boston and in other Cities, where such relations have resulted in the restoration of historic districts in the context of new mix of commercial, retail and residential redevelopment.

-Study Committee member Mr. Young Park, who is a developer in the district, himself noted in the final public meeting at the Children¹s Museum on October 29, 2008 that these Landmark Guidelines would ensure the preservation of long term value of real estate investments.

-Given the thoroughness of the Landmark study and Drafting process, it would be appropriate for the Commission to approve the Regulations as currently formulated, and revisited after a four year of time for their effectiveness.

-Arguments based upon short-term commercial or financial interests must not be allowed to override the long-term public goal of ensuring the preservation and restoration of this unique historic district.

-As evidenced through real estate values in other historic districts across Boston, guidelines for responsible restoration and adaptive re-use have not limited the financial viability of development, rather they have enhanced property values. As developer and study committee member, Young Park noted in his final presentation that real estate economics are impacted more by the residential market than by guidelines for restoration of historic assets.


4. DUE PROCESS

-Objective criteria of the Distinctive features of the neighborhood, listed after extensive publicly documented study, must not be allowed to bereplaced by subjective criteria developed by commercial development interests.

-The substance and intent of the guidelines as drafted have been endorsed by the Elected Officials (Councilor Linehan), the City-- (BRA), and the respected Boston Preservation Alliance.

- Owner interests in the district during the process have used their influence to get tenants to speak in their favor (in some cases misrepresenting the goals of the Study and Landmark process). If the owner/ developers are left to manage the District Commission, it would be difficult to ensure the community as a whole that there would be a fair review of projects.

-The objective of these Landmark regulations is to encourage good restoration and rehabilitation of this unique historic resource, and to prevent demolition by neglect and poor design and narrowly defined short-term commercial interests. Even during this process, buildings in the neighborhood sit vacant, and in some cases in deteriorating condition.

-The Landmark study and process has been exemplified by strong and fair Civic engagement, meetings have been open to the public and comment has been carefully considered by the Committee during the more than a year and a half of the process.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Important Community Meeting on Landmarking, Wed, 10/29





There's an important community meeting on landmarking coming up. The Study Committee is giving a final presentation of the proposed Landmark District for our neighborhood before the hearing on November 10th, 2008. It defines a set of boundaries in Fort Point which will receive the Landmark designation as well as a set of guidelines for how development of these buildings need to be handled. This is a critical step to preserving the history and character of our neighborhood.


The Fort Point Landmark Study Committee's homepage is: http://www.cityofboston.gov/environment/fpc/







Final Presentation by the Landmarking Study Committee

Wednesday, October 29, 2008
6:30 PM
Boston Children’s Museum
308 Congress Street


This is a public presentation of the work of the Study Committee to create a Study Report for the Fort Point Channel Landmark District as completed September 10, 2008. This meeting will be an informational presentation to the community and other interested parties prior to the Boston Landmarks Commission designation hearing for the Fort Point Channel Landmark District on November 10, 2008. (No further revision of the Study Report will be considered at this meeting).

1. Introduction to the Designation Process

2. History and Significance of the District

3. History of the Petition Process and Recent Activity in the District

4. Overview of the Standards and Criteria

5. Next Steps

6. Question and Answer Session

Projected Adjournment: 8:30 pm


The public hearing for the petition to make Fort Point a Landmark District will be held in a few weeks:


Petition #201.01, Fort Point Channel Landmark District
November 10th, 2008
5:30 PM
BRA Boardroom, 9th Floor
Boston City Hall

Monday, August 18, 2008

Landmark Meeting Wednesday - Final Review of Draft Guidelines

The next Fort Point Landmark Study Committee meeting will take place on

Wed, August 20, 2008
5:30-8:30pm
Boston Convention Center
415 Summer Street

Neighborhood reps on the committee are Valerie Burns, Steve Hollinger, Pratap Talwar and Michele Yeles. The final review of the draft guidelines are underway. Please send your feedback on the draft guidelines to the BLC Study Committee through the Boston Landmarks Commission. Draft guidelines and info at
http://www.cityofboston.gov/environment/fpc/pdfs/FPC%20Review%20Deadlines.pdf.

Our support is critical. Check the website for upcoming meetings and locations http://www.cityofboston.gov/environment/fpc/meeting.asp

Please attend!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Pressure Against Landmarking

Developers are apparently trying to mount opposition to the landmarking guidelines to water them down. If, like me, you believe the historic character of Fort Point is part of what makes the neighborhood great and is worth preserving, please come to the meeting this evening to show support:


Fort Point Landmark Committee
Final review of the draft guidelines
Wed, June 18, 2008
5:30-8:30pm
Boston Convention Center
415 Summer Street

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Final Chance for Comments on Landmarking, 6/18

The next Fort Point Landmark Study Committee will be held on:

Wed, June 18, 2008
5:30-8:30pm
Boston Convention Center
415 Summer Street


We are presently in a final review of the draft guidelines.

Fort Point's community representatives on the Study Committee are Valerie Burns, Steve Hollinger, Pratap Talwar and Michele Yeeles.

Please note that the date of June 18th represents an important deadline as a final opportunity for all citizens and stakeholders to request the opening of sections of the draft guidelines for possible revision. For official details regarding this deadline, the June 18 meeting agenda, or to download a set of the current draft guidelines, visit the Boston Landmarks Commission website at http://www.cityofboston.gov/environment/fpc/.

Your interest, input and support are appreciated. At this particular stage of the process, feedback on the guidelines must be directed to the entire BLC Study Committee through the Boston Landmarks Commission process as outlined at http://www.cityofboston.gov/environment/fpc/pdfs/FPC%20Review%20Deadlines.pdf.

Best,
Steve Hollinger


***

Background

In 2001, the Fort Point District was petitioned for designation as a Boston Landmark District with the Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC). With the support of and funding by Boston City Council and Mayor Menino, the Fort Point District underwent a comprehensive study with a BLC-appointed historian and consultant, completing a building survey and Study Report in 2003. In 2006, the Boston Landmarks Commission convened a Study Committee of 11 Mayoral-appointed Study Commitee members (including 4 community representatives) to draft a set of District Guidelines at a series of public meetings. Since 2006, the Study Committee has been meeting publicly to draft guidelines. The Study Committee is now engaged in a review of the guidelines which, once finalized, will be adopted with the District designation anticipated for late 2008.

Other Boston Landmark Districts include Back Bay, the South End and Beacon Hill. For more information, visit the BLC website at http://www.cityofboston.gov/environment/landmarks.asp.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Last two landmark study meetings: 5/28 and 6/18

The Fort Point Landmark Study Committee meets this Wed:

May 28, 2008
5:30-8:30pm at Midway Studios (Large Space) in one of its final sessions.
15 Channel Center Street


Rooftop additions will be on the agenda. Neighborhood reps on the committee are Valerie Burns, Steve Hollinger, Pratap Talwar and Michele Yeles. Our support of their efforts is critical. Check the website for locations http://www.cityofboston.gov/environment/fpc/meeting.asp

LAST SESSION
June 18, 2008
5:30-8:30pm
Location TBD


About the Landmark Committee:

The FPCLD is currently under study for designation as a Landmark District. A Study Committee comprised of six persons who expressed an interest in the district and five members of the Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) was appointed by Mayor Thomas M. Menino and approved by City Council. The Study Committee will be refining the Study Report prepared by consultants to the BLC, confirming boundaries, and developing design guidelines for the district over the next 12 months.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Mtg Thurs for 368 Summer St. Building Demolition

Berkeley Investments is holding a community meeting to discuss their development on 368 Summer St. Of concern is their planned demolition of a building built in 1901 to house boilers. The Boston Landmarks Commission delayed demolition of the boiler room for 90 days at City Hall on Jan 8th.

Please come out and make your voice heard:

Thursday January 17th, 2008
6:30 PM
Children's Museum, Boston Dewey Room
(enter from 308 Congress)

Monday, November 19, 2007

Landmark District Meeting Tonight

A reminder that the Fort Point Landmark Study Committee is meeting this evening:

Monday, Nov 19, 2007
5:30-8:30pm
Boston Exhibition and Convention Center
Room: 201/202

and again in December:

Wednesday, Dec 12, 2007
5:30-8:30pm
Boston Exhibition and Convention Center
Room: 201/202

The Committee is working on designating a section of our neighborhood as a Landmark District to recognize and protect a section of our historic neighborhood which contains an unusually coherent and well-preserved collection of 19th and early 20th century buildings. The neighborhood reps on the committee are Valerie Burns, Steve Hollinger, Pratap Talwar and Michele Yeles. For more information, check out their website: www.cityofboston.gov/environment/fpc/meeting.asp

A presentation from their status update meeting is available here:
http://www.cityofboston.gov/environment/fpc/pdfs/11-8-07_pres.pdf

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Important Landmarking Meeting January 17th

The recently-appointed Fort Point Channel Study Committee and Boston Landmarks Commission Staff are hosting a meeting to talk about the proposed landmark district for Fort Point and its significance, and to listen to what qualities in the district you would like to see preserved.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007
6:30pm-8:30pm
at the Midway Cafe
15 Channel Center Street
Fort Point, South Boston