For Historic Preservation Commissions

Training for Historic Preservation Commissions: Commission Basics

Join Julian Adams, New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) CLG Coordinator, as he presents this training for members of preservation commissions and boards.  In three hours, Julian covers all aspects of commission work, from an introduction to preservation law through design review and how to conduct public meetings. 

Hour 1:  Introduction; historic resources and why we protect them; responsibilities of HPCs; using the law, the standards and guidelines; tax credits for historic rehabilitation; the Certified Local Government program; state preservation grants.

Hour 2:  Review of the Model Preservation Law; the design review process; CLG Listserv; knowledge base for commission members; principles, policies and criteria for design review; design standards; compatibility criteria; historic features; landscape and streetscape; masonry cleaning and other technical advice; synthetic materials.

Hour 3:  When replacement with synthetic materials is appropriate; criteria for additions and new construction; building code issues; demolition and the hardship appeal; enforcement; conflict of interest; making decisions and record keeping; educating the public; Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

 This workship was one of five workshops conducted in 2010 with the support of the New York State Council on the Arts.