www.WashingtonCT.org The Town of Washington, Connecticut Historic District Commission

The US Postal Service celebrated the historic barn at 11 Ives Road on a Postcard in 2000. © 2000 USPS Courtesy of the artist - Wendell Minor *********************************** Address: Historic District Commission Town of Washington 2 Bryan Plaza P.O. Box 383 Washington Depot, CT 06794 Email: historic@washingtonct.org T: 860-868-0423 F: 860-868-2819 Note that several departments share this fax line, so please address your document clearly! Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Lower level of Bryan Memorial Town Hall Washington Depot *********************************** Washington Green Historic District Willis House ca. 1810 1989 Willis House - Gunn Historical Museum 2009 *********************************** Sunny Ridge Historic District Boyd House 1989 Boyd House 2009 *********************************** Appointed Officials: (5-year term) Jane Boyer, Chair Alison Gilchrist William Smith Phyllis Mills Tom Hollinger George Krimsky, Alternate Zemma Masten White, Alternate Vacant, Alternate Staff: Martha Shade, Secretary *********************************** Calhoun/Ives Historic District James Calhoun House 1989 James Calhoun House 2009

Municipal historic districts in Connecticut are authorized exclusively through Chapter 97a of the Connecticut General Statutes. Once enacted by the vote of both the legislative body of the municipality and the residents of the proposed district, the district is placed under the jurisdiction of a locally appointed historic district commission. Such a commission is a full fledged land use agency of the town, and exercises powers comparable to the zoning commission, wetlands commission and a zoning board of appeals.

THERE ARE THREE HISTORIC DISTRICTS IN WASHINGTON:

Washington Green Historic District
District Map

Sunny Ridge Historic District
District Map

Calhoun Street - Ives Road Historic District
District Map

District Studies:

Report of the 1975 Historic District Study
1975 Historic District Study Photos
Report of the 1989 Calhoun Ives Historic District Study

HOW TO WORK WITH THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS IN WASHINGTON

The Historic District Commission and staff are pleased to work with the residents in our three Historic Districts to protect the unique heritage of each district for current and future generations.

Whether you are a district resident, prospective resident, enthusiastic visitor or would just like to learn more about the history and the design review process of our three districts, PLEASE READ THIS PAGE and download our Guidelines, Rules and Regulations, Forms, Application Review Checklist, as well as studies and maps, or join us for one of our meetings.

Detailed information about the Historic District Commission may be found in the Commission Rules and Regulations.

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING DATES:

Generally, the Commission meets on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 PM in the Land Use Meeting Room on the lower level of Bryan Memorial Town Hall. See the Town Calendar for possible schedule exceptions, such as holidays. Also be sure to check Public & Legal Notices for possible last minute schedule changes.

MEETING AND APPLICATION DEADLINE DATES - 2012:

Meeting dates:		Application Deadlines:
January 9		December 22, 2011
February 13		January 26
March 19		March 1
April 16		March 29
May 21		April 3
June 18		May 31
July 16		June 28
August 20		August 2
September 17		August 30
October 15		September 27
November 19		November 1
December 17		November 29

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Minutes of previous meetings are available online.

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APPLICATIONS FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS:

Historic District Commission Permits are called Certificates of Appropriateness (C of A) and require a public hearing.

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A permit is not required for repairs or replacement in kind, but a letter of "no exterior effect" is required so that the office is aware of the scope of the ongoing work.

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A permit is required for construction of new buildings or structures as well as remodeling or alterations of exterior features of buildings and structures, that are visible from a public street, way, or place. Permits are also required for site improvements including, but not limited to: roads, driveways, parking areas, curbs, sidewalks, fences, walls, dams, bridges, docks, outdoor fireplaces, tennis courts, utility structures, gazebos, swimming pools, lampposts, monuments, statuary, signs, bill posters, primary buildings, accessory buildings, and any other feature of the built environment, visible from a public way or place.

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Although it may be located within a historic district, a structure that can not be seen from any public road does not require a Certificate of Appropriateness. Please call the office to confirm this. One of the Commissioners or the Enforcement Officer will make an inspection to confirm that it can not be seen from the road and that a Certificate of Appropriateness is not required.

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For the application form see the Forms page.

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The Commission strongly urges applicants to read the Guidelines before planning their projects. It is also recommended that they refer to the Application Review Checklist.

RELATED TOWN COMMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Town of Washington Zoning Regulations, specifically:

• Section 12.14, Generators, Air Conditioners, Pool Filters and Other Noise Generating Equipment
  
• Section 12.15, Outdoor Lighting in Residential Districts
  
• Section 16, Signage

ANNUAL REPORTS:

See the Town Annual Report for yearly reports on the activities of the Historic District Commission.

OTHER COMMISSIONS:

See our Land Use Brochure ( 16 pages) for an overview of land use in Washington.

Land use issues may involve one or more Town Departments. See Land Use Commissions for general information about:

• Conservation Commission
• Historic District Commission
• Inland Wetlands Commission
• Planning Commission
• Zoning Commission
• Zoning Board of Appeals

HDC UPDATES:

Calhoun / Ives District

Young's Elliot Farm House and Barn Compound
ca 1825

Summer 1989	Summer 2009	Summer 2010

1989	Summer 2009	Fall 2009	Summer 2010