The Planning & Zoning Department

Historic District Commission Applications

The Amherst Historic District Commission has put together their Rules of Procedure as a means to assist those contemplating building or renovating structures in the Historic District. These rules are summarized here with some additional information for applicants.

Prior to receiving a building permit for renovations or construction within the Historic District, it is necessary to obtain a Certificate of Approval from the Amherst Historic District Commission. It is hoped that these procedural rules will speed up the process of obtaining a review by the Historic District Commission and will make the criteria by which the Commission will review applications, understandable.

1. Application: In order for a request for a Certificate of Approval to be considered by the commission, an application must be completed and submitted to the Planning and Zoning Officce. Application forms are available from the Zoning Administrator and will normally be completed at the same time that an application for a building permit is submitted.

2. Completion of Application: In order for an application to be reviewed by the Commission, it must be completely filled out, including a detailed description of the proposed changes.  New construction or substantial additions to existing structures will require a detailed description of the proposed changes including precise drawings, elevations and plans drawn to scale as well as a description of materials and a photograph of the home or building site.  These requirements are also necessary for home owners who are planning renovations.  The applicants should discuss any questions on the application with the Zoning Administrator and he will advise the applicant with respect to the sufficiency of the information.  Failure of an applicant to provide appropriate information may result in the postponement or denial of the petition without prejudice to reapply at a later date.

All applications shall be accompanied by drawings of the proposed work on a scale not less than 1/8" = 1'. Although for many changes the Commission will not require architectural plans, the drawings must fully show the proposed changes and the existing building in order that the proposed changes will be in context with the existing structure. Generally, the minimum requirement will be elevation drawings showing the outside appearance of the proposed change from all sides and its relationship to existing structures.

3. Submission to Commission: When the application has been completed, it shall be delivered to the Zoning Administrator who will forward it to the Chairman of the Commission.  The Commission meets on the third Thursday of each month and applicants must submit their detailed plan at least 30 days before the meeting to be included on the agenda.  In cases where a variance is required, the Zoning Administrator will, nevertheless, forward the application to the Commission, indicating that it must first be approved by the Board of Adjustment.  The Commission may appear at the Board of Adjustment hearing and express its views on the request for a variance.

4. Manner of Review: The Commission will review the application at a regularly scheduled meeting.  After the review, a decision will be rendered within forty five (45) days after receiving the completed application from the Zoning Administrator. Generally, the Commission will not hold a public hearing on the application although it reserves the right to do so under special circumstances. After considering the application, the Commission will either grant a Certificate of Approval - with or without conditions - or deny it. The denial of any Certificate of Approval will state the reason therefore.

5. Exceptions: The Zoning Administrator is not required to forward the following applications to the Historic District Commission for their review provided that the proposed project complies with the stipulation specified.

1. Ordinary maintenance and repair of any exterior architectural feature which does not involve change in design, materials or outer appearance thereof.
2. Painting or repainting of a building or structure in any color.
3. Roofing or reroofing of existing structures, provided that the roofing plane remains the same.
4. Siding or residing of structures within the District provided that exterior architectural features, exclusive or existing siding materials such as clapboards and shingles, are not removed, destroyed or covered, provided the siding is similar in style and appearance to the original construction, and has four inches exposed to the weather.
5. Storm windows and storm doors provided that the original architectural features are not removed or destroyed.

6. Appeal: Any applicant who wishes to may appeal the decision to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

7. Assistance The Historic District Commission members are willing to provide assistance and advice to anyone contemplating renovation or construction within the Historic District.

The Commission also encourages anyone planning changes to their home to read the Secretary of the Interior's manual entitled, "Standards for Rehabilitation - Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings" or their web site of the same name. as well as "Preserving Community Character" which is published by the New Hampshire Association of Historic District Commissions. These manuals have served as invaluable references to members of the Commission and have been relied upon when making decisions and drawing up the Historic District regulations. They are both available at the town library.

Copies of "Standards for Rehabilitation" may be obtained by contacting:

U.S. Department of the Interior
Preservation Assistance Division
National Park Service
P.O. Box 37127
Washington, DC 20013-7127

Copies of "Preserving Community Character" may be obtained by contacting:

State of New Hampshire
Walker Building, 15 South Fruit Street
P.O. Box 2043
Concord, NH 03302-2043