12.17.2019 Historic District Commission

The Fall River Historic District Commission met on December 17, 2019, to address meeting minutes, property inquiries, and administrative matters. Following roll call, the Commission approved meeting minutes from September 17 and October 15, 2019. The Commission then took item 6A out of order to hear from property owner Manuel Oliver and his daughter concerning planned exterior renovations at 670 High Street.

Manuel Oliver, who recently purchased the property at 670 High Street and only speaks Portuguese, appeared with his daughter translating. Oliver sought to replace windows, install roofing, and construct a back deck, but had not realized the home was located within the restricted Chapter 40C historic district. The Commission explained that exterior modifications require prior approval, architectural drawings, and historic review, advising them against modern materials like vinyl. Commissioners recommended that the homeowners work with the Fall River Preservation Society to develop historically compatible and cost-effective renovation plans before formally submitting an application.

In other business, the Commission discussed the ongoing proposal to merge the Historic District Commission with the Fall River Historical Commission, noting that the merger matter had been referred to the Corporation Counsel and that a meeting with the administration would take place in January 2020. The Commission discussed volunteer representation on a subcommittee for preservation guidelines and set its tentative 2020 meeting schedule for the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM, with the next meeting scheduled for January 2020 before adjourning.

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