Under the Danvers Historic District By-Law, a Certificate of Appropriateness issued by the Historic District Commission is required for certain types of work affecting the exterior appearance of all structures visible from any public way or public park within the Historic District. In addition, no permit for the construction, alteration, or demolition of structures will be issued by the Building Inspector until a Certificate of Appropriateness is issued where the By-Law is applicable.
For these purposes, the definition of structures includes buildings, their individual architectural features, such as doors, windows, and siding, appurtenant exterior fixtures, signs, driveways and parking lots, walls and fences, as well as terraces, and walks not at grade level.
Certification of Appropriateness is not required by the Historic District Commission for painting, the color of roofing materials, storm doors and windows, screens, air conditioners, or antennae or any inside changes or changes not visible from the public way or public park. Other exceptions are described in the By-Law.
Three filled out copies of the application must be made and sent back to the Danvers Historic District Commission, 15 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA., including under item "D" a description of work for which the Certificate of Appropriateness is requested, including where appropriate the texture and material (shingles or clapboards,etc.), trim, gutters and leaders, windows and sash, doors, number of stories and roof pitch, and in all cases any other information necessary to enable the Commission to visualize the exterior appearance which will result from the physical work.
Sketches and plans or drawings drawn to scale showing exterior elevations signed by an architect or draftsman and detailed enought to show architectural design of the structure and its relation to the existing building must be submitted in the case of major construction, reconstruction, or alteration. In other cases, plot plans, sketches, scale plans or drawings may be required by the Commission in order to enable it to act intelligently. Photographs are required in cases of demolition or potential major change.
If an applicant is employing a builder or professional consultant, it is urged that the person also be present at any hearing on the application. In the case of a demolition or removal, the applicant must also submit a statement of the proposed condition and appearance of the property thereafter.
Upon dated receipt of an application the Commission must within 14 days determine whether or not the application needs a public hearing. If one is necessary, the applicant and abuttors will recieve a written or printed notice of the place, and time of the hearing at least 14 days prior to said hearing. An application must be decided upon by the Commission within 60 days of dated receipt of a completed properly filled out application.
Copies of the form Application For Certificate of Appropriateness can be obtained the the Archival Center located at the Peabody Institute Library and at the Town Hall from the Office of the Town Clerk and the Building Inspector
The Commission welcomes advance inquiries as to the applicability of the Act and the By-law to any project or other matter subject thereto, Such inquiries should be submitted by letter to the Secretary of the Commission or by personal appearance at any of its meetings. The time and place of meetings can be determined from the Town Clerk's Bulletin Board or by telephoning the Town Clerk's ofice. All meetings of the Commission, excpet when it is in Executive Session, are open to the public, and any person is entitled to appear and be heard on any matter pending before the Commission prior to its reaching a decision.
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