Amendment to Chapter 2.78 of the Cambridge Code of Ordinance, entitled “Historical Buildings and Landmarks.” (Ordinance #2022-11)

To achieve these purposes, the City may designate neighborhood conservation districts and landmarks to be administered as set forth in this article. (Ord. 1002 (part), 1983: prior code § 2-147(k)(1))

2.78.150 Definitions for Article III.

In addition to the terms defined in Section 2.78.080 of this Chapter, the following terms, when used whether or not capitalized in this subsection, shall have the meanings set forth in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: "Demolition" means the act of pulling down, destroying, removing or razing structures, or commencing the work of total or substantial destruction with the intent of completing the same. "Exterior architectural features" means and includes such portion of the exterior of a structure as is open to view from a public street, way, park or body of water, including but not limited to the architectural style and general arrangement and setting thereof, the kind, material and texture of exterior building materials, and the type and style of windows, doors, lights, signs and other appurtenant exterior fixtures. "Historic district" means an area so established under the authority of Chapter 40C of the General Laws. "Landmark" means any property within the City so designated in accordance with Section 2.78.180 of this article.

E. "Neighborhood conservation district" means any area within the City so designated in accordance with Section 2.78.180 of this article.

Comment [1]: Amendment 1- Better define

scope

Comment [2]: Amendment 2 - Balance

conservation with modern civic goals

Comment [3]: Amendment 3 - Balance civic

values related to conservation F. "Neighborhood conservation district commission" or "district commission" means a commission provided for by Section 2.78.160 of this article. G. "Structure" means a combination of materials including a building, sign, fence, wall, terrace, walk, driveway, street, bridge, statue, monument or other manmade feature. H. "Gross floor area" means the floor area so defined in Article 2.000 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge. (Ord. 1166 §§7, 16, 1995; Ord. 1002 (part), 1983: prior code § 2-147(k)(2))

2.78.160 Neighborhood conservation district commission—Established—Membership requirements.

Upon designation as provided in Section 2.78.180 of this article of any neighborhood conservation district, and unless the designation provides that the Historical Commission itself shall exercise authority with respect thereto, the City Manager shall appoint a neighborhood conservation district commission to consist of five members and three alternates. whose composition fairly represents the diversity of the neighborhood itself in terms of age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, and sexual and gender minority status, among other relevant dimensions.

The City Manager shall at all times endeavor to achieve and maintain a balance on Commissions that fairly represents the community within and surrounding the district.

The members shall include at least three residents of the neighborhood, not less than two of whom shall be homeownerstenants and one of whom shall be a homeowner; one neighborhood property owner (who may or may not be a neighborhood homeowner); and, where practible, one member person who owns and/or alternate of the Cambridge Historical Commission.operates a business within the neighborhood.

One member and/or one alternate of a neighborhood conservation district commission, in addition to the mandated member of the Cambridge Historical Commission, may be a Cambridge resident who lives outside the district. The remaining alternates shall be neighborhood property owners.

The City Manager shall at all times endeavor to ensure Commission membership achieves a balance between residents with a diversity of recent housing experiences in the City and members with professional credentials relevant to the commission’s work. Commissions shall have at least one member who possesses technical knowledge in one or more of the following fields: Historical preservation, civic planning, architecture, or a similar field.

The neighborhood conservation district commission shall act solely in the exercise of those functions described in this article which are applicable to the district under its administration. A member of the Historical Commission staff should be assigned to provide ongoing administrative and operational support to the neighborhood conservation district commission.

Any member or alternate of the Historical Commission may be appointed to a neighborhood conservation district commission for a term coterminous with such person's term as a member or alternate of the Historical Commission.

Members and alternates of a neighborhood conservation district commission who are not members of the Historical Commission shall by reason of experience or education have demonstrable knowledge and concern for improvement, conservation and enhancement of the district, and at least two of the members or alternates shall have professional qualifications related to real estate or architecture or historic preservation. B.

The members of the neighborhood conservation district commission shall be appointed by the City Manager with regard to the diverse viewpoints expressed in the creationdiversity of the district. Such members shall serve for a

Comment [4]: Amendment 4 - Commission

membership Comment [5]: Amendment 5 - Diversity on commissions term of three years, except that the initial appointments shall be for one member to serve one year and one member to serve two years, and vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of office. Each member and alternate shall continue in office for up to six months after expiration of his or her term until a successor is duly appointed and qualified, except that no member shall serve more than two consecutive terms.

The neighborhood conservation district commission shall elect annually a ChairmanChair and Vice-ChairmanChair from its own number. In the case of absence, inability to act, or unwillingness to act because of self-interest on the part of a member, his or hertheir place shall be taken by an alternate member designated by the ChairmanChair, if available, otherwise by the Vice-ChairmanChair if available, otherwise by a majority vote of the members and alternate members of the Commission present.

The person exercising the function of Executive Director of the Historical Commission shall serve as secretary of each neighborhood conservation district commission. Persons serving as members or alternate members of a neighborhood conservation district commission shall, as a result of such service, be considered as "special municipal employees" for purposes of Chapter 268A of the General Laws. (Ord. 1331, 12/14/2009; Ord. 1166 § 8, 1995; Ord. 1002 (part), 1983: prior code § 2-147(k)(3))

2.78.170 Powers and duties.