The purpose of this bylaw is to preserve and protect the distinctive
characteristics and architecture of buildings and places significant
in the history of the Town of Hopedale, to encourage and support new
and innovative building designs and techniques compatible with the
existing architecture, and to promote those purposes as set forth
in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40C.
As used in this bylaw the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
ALTERATION, TO ALTER
The act or the fact of rebuilding, reconstructing, restoring,
replicating, removing, demolishing, and other similar activities.
BUILDING
A combination of materials forming a shelter for persons,
animals or property.
CERTIFICATE
A certificate of appropriateness, a certificate of nonapplicability,
or a certificate of hardship as set forth in this bylaw.
COMMISSION
The Historic District Commission as established in this bylaw.
DISPLAY AREA
The total surface area of a sign, including all lettering,
wording, designs, symbols, background and frame, but not including
any support structure or bracing incidental to the sign. The display
area of an individual letter sign or irregular shaped sign shall be
the area of the smallest rectangle into which the letters or shape
will fit. Where sign faces are placed back to back and face in opposite
directions, the display area shall be defined as the area of one face
of the sign.
DISTRICT
The Local Historic District as established in this bylaw,
to consist of one or more district areas.
EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE
Such portion of the exterior of a building or structure as
is open to view from a public street, public way, public park or public
body of water, including but not limited to the architectural style
and general arrangement and setting thereof, the kind, color and texture
of exterior building materials, the color of paint or other materials
applied to exterior surfaces and the type and style of windows, doors,
lights, signs and other appurtenant exterior features.
PERSON AGGRIEVED
The applicant, an owner of adjoining property, an owner of
property within the same historic district as property within 100
feet of said property lines and any charitable corporation in which
one of its purposes is the preservation of historic structures or
districts.
SIGNS
Any permanent symbol, design, or device used to identify
or advertise any place of business, product, activity, or person.
STRUCTURE
A combination of materials other than a building, including
but not limited to a sign, statue, monument, fence, wall, terrace,
walk or driveway.
TEMPORARY SIGNS
Any symbol, design, or device used to identify or advertise
any place of business, product, activity, or person not to be in existence
for a period of more than one year.
TEMPORARY STRUCTURE OR BUILDING
A building not to be in existence for a period of more than
two-years. A structure not to be in existence for a period of more
than one-year. The Commission may further limit the time periods set
forth herein as it deems appropriate.
The district shall consist of one or more district areas as
listed in Section 1.3 (Appendices) of this bylaw.
The Commission may determine from time to time after a public
hearing, duly advertised and posted at least 14 days in advance in
a conspicuous place in Town Hall and in a newspaper of general circulation
in Hopedale, that certain categories of exterior architectural features
or structures under certain conditions may be constructed or altered
without review by the Commission without causing substantial derogation
from the intent and purposes of MGL c. 40C.
The provisions of this bylaw shall be deemed to be separable.
If any of its provisions, sections, subsections, sentences or clauses
shall be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent
jurisdiction, the remainder of this bylaw shall continue to be in
full force and effect.