FAQs

The Medford Historic District Commission consists of members appointed by the Mayor and interested in historic preservation. The Commission membership is generally made up of residents of the individual Districts, real estate professionals, architects, preservationists, attorneys, and interested citizens. The Medford Historic District Commission is separate from, but works in tandem with, the Medford Historical Commission.

There are two City-Designated Historic Districts at this time:

• Hillside Avenue Historic District (also a National Historic District)
• Marm Simonds Historic District

The Old Ship Street Historic District is a National Historic District not under the jurisdiction of the Medford Historic District Commission.

The ordinance requires that an Application be filed and a Historic District Commission review obtained for all exterior changes to properties located within a city-designated Historic District. Among the types of alterations that will be reviewed for appropriateness to the property and the historic district are:

•  Exterior remodeling, additions.
•  Demolition of any structure.
•  Siding, moldings, columns and trim material.
•  Doors and windows, shutters.
•  Roofing and gutters.
•  Chimneys and brickwork.
•  Fences and gates.
•  Accessory structures such as sheds and garages.
•  Equipment such as A/C condensers, satellite dishes, antennas.
•  Permanent and temporary signs and signs in windows visible from the street.
• Stone walls, retaining walls.

• Landscaping involving plants, trees, or shrubs.
• Paint colors.
• Storm windows and storm doors.
• Attached exterior lighting fixtures.
• Work not visible from the public rights of way.
• Reconstruction work using materials similar to the original following fire or other disaster.
• Work where no exterior architectural features are involved.

Residents of historic districts should check with the Commission with any questions about changes to their properties.

Exterior Siding

Homeowners in the districts should consider the use of in-kind existing historically correct wood siding, shingles and brick building materials.  Vinyl, Azek and aluminum are seldom approved by the Commission.

Gutters and Downspouts

Wood and metal, such as copper are always preferred. Painted aluminum, metal and PVC gutters and downspouts are generally approved for use.

Exterior moldings and trim

Decorative trim and molding should be repaired or replaced with in-kind material.  The Commission, in the past, has generally approved Azek or equivalent materials when appropriate.

Exterior Shutters

Although wood shutters are strongly suggested, painted vinyl has sometimes been approved.  Adding shutters should be appropriate to the period of the house.

Windows

Wherever possible, original windows and sashes, historic glass, mullion, muntin and any related original trim should be repaired.  If replacement becomes necessary, the replacement window should duplicate the original window in its design, the materials used and configuration.  Vinyl, aluminum, aluminum clad, vinyl clad or fiberglass windows are seldom approved by the Commission.

Doors

Again, wherever possible, original doors and hardware should be repaired.  If it becomes necessary to replace the door and/or its hardware, the replacement should duplicate the original door in material and style.  Steel, fiberglass or Masonite substitute are seldom approved by the Commission.

Fences

Existing wood fences and rock walls should be repaired and retained.  Fencing should be constructed of period appropriate materials. Fences constructed of vinyl and plastic as well as chain link, which are visible from the street, are seldom approved in Historic Districts.  Cast or wrought iron fences are generally approved when they are historically appropriate to the period of the house.

Additional Structures

Barns, sheds, garages, greenhouses gazebos and other similar structures, with or without permanent foundations, if they are visible from the street, are subject to approval of the Historical District Commission.  They are decided on a case by case basis.

Roofs

All roof repairs or replacement should be replacement in-kind whenever possible.  The Commission will consider replacement with a substitute material that is compatible with the existing roof.

Skylights

In general, the Commission seldom approves changing the lines of an existing roof.  Skylights, if considered, should be installed so as not to be visible from the street.  Each proposal will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Chimneys

Chimney size and style should not be changed. Repairs should use brick as close as possible to the original. Caps should be made of appropriate materials for the period of the house, wherever possible.

Modern Equipment

All modern equipment should be carefully sited.  Some equipment, such as solar panels requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Commission before installation.

The application form is available at the Building Department or available as a PDF online. A completed application may be submitted to the Commission Office or emailed to info@medfordhdc.org

Applications for any certificate need to be returned at least three (3) weeks prior to the next meeting to allow for adequate time for commissioners to review the applications. An initial review will determine if the application is complete. Upon receipt of the completed form, the commission shall schedule a public hearing, notices will be posted with the clerk, and the applicants, abutters and other interested parties will be notified. An application may be approved or denied at the public hearing, or it may be continued at subsequent meetings. If an extension is required, it shall be approved by the applicant and the commissioners. Once the commissioners make a determination, a certificate, if granted, will be issued to you within fourteen days.

Applications are reviewed at the Commission’s monthly open meetings. Applicants are notified of the date and are invited to attend. One of the following Certificates must be provided by the Historic District Commission:

Certificate of Appropriateness.

Issued for those changes that are in conformance with the Historic District Ordinance and/or are acceptable to the Historic District Commission.

Certificate of Non-Applicability.

Issued for alterations which affect features deemed to be not detrimental to the district by the Historic District Commission. Examples include work not visible from the public rights of way, reconstruction work similar in material and design to the original following fire or other disaster, maintenance repairs or replacement using the same design and materials, or work where no exterior architectural features are involved.

Certificate of Hardship.

Issued for those changes which are not appropriate, but which may be necessary due to economic, physical, or other special conditions. A Certificate of Hardship may not be issued until a Certificate of Appropriateness has been denied, unless specific conditions, such as code violations, make such an application infeasible.

The following information must be included within the application to ensure a quick and timely response to any proposed work under the commission’s jurisdiction:

1. Site plan – showing the existing building and location of proposed addition/alteration. City of Medford Assessors maps are acceptable (available at the Engineer’s Office).
2. Architectural Drawings or Sketches – drawn to scale on at least 8.5” X 11” paper. The applicant may reduce drawings but must submit one full sized set. These plans must include floor plans and all major elevations, as well as any construction details.
3. Photographs – 5×7 (one set color) showing the existing conditions including all four major elevation of the existing dwelling. Detail shots of the proposed area of construction (at least one) are required.
4.  Cut Sheets – product information required to detail proposed products applicable to construction.

The ordinance governing the Historic District requires all abutters, including across streets and ways in all directions, to be notified at least 14 days prior to meetings. The assessor’s office maintains a list of abutters which includes mailing addresses. All mailing costs and advertising fees in local papers shall be the responsibility of the applicant, through the Historic District Commission.

The Commission welcomes advance inquiries as to the applicability of the Historic District Ordinance. Inquiries may be made to the Historic District Commission via email at info@medfordhdc.org