To the editor:

Marion’s Historic District Study Committee encourages all Marion voters and especially those property owners within the proposed historic district who missed the February 18th information session at the Community Center to watch ORCTV’s recording of that event (https://vimeo.com/1058987896?share=copy). The details of the draft bylaw were reviewed including specific examples of how it would apply. Many of the questions that have been expressed previously were answered and new ones as well. The link to the recording can be found on the MarionMa.gov website at the Historic District Study Committee’s webpage. Some key issues were also reviewed including: 

Who oversees the Historic District? 

The district would be administered by the Marion Village Historic District Commission that would consist of five  appointed members and two alternates chosen by the Select Board. It would include representatives from fields such  as architecture, real estate, construction and local history, and would include at least two and, if available,  three or more owners from within the district. 

How does the process work? 

If an owner plans to make an addition, partial or full demolition, or construction of a new building, they would file  an application with the Commission that would be scheduled for a hearing. Notice of the hearing is sent to the  applicant and abutters. At the hearing, the Commission reviews the application and, if the proposed work is  considered appropriate, issues a Certificate of Approval. The entire process would be completed within 45-60 days, overlapping and well within other Marion permitting timelines and requiring no additional materials.  If the proposed work is not considered appropriate, the Commission will provide recommendations for how to  revise the application so that the proposed work could be approved at a subsequent hearing.  

How does the Commission make its decisions? 

The Bylaw includes criteria for how the Commission would conduct its review. The goal is to protect the architectural  integrity of the District by ensuring that additions and new construction are appropriate in terms of size, location,  and materials, and are designed to be in harmony with existing historic buildings.

Sincerely,

William N. Tifft

Chair of Marion Historic District Study Committee