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Requesting approval of an Ordinance amending the Local Historic District Map to create one new multi-building district known as the Morrison Avenue Historic District by combining two existing single-building districts at 197 and 222 Morrison Avenue and adding one new property, 221 Morrison Avenue.
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Honorable Board of Aldermen:
Attached please find a map amendment pursuant to the Historic District Ordinance, first adopted in 1985, which proposes to create one expanded local historic districts (LHD), to be known as the Morrison Avenue LHD. The amendment would combine two existing single-building districts, 197 and 222 Morrison Avenue, and add one new property, 221 Morrison Avenue.
The proposed map amendment will fulfill the goals set forth in the City’s recently adopted zoning amendment which include adding variety and capacity to the community’s lodging facilities, creating incentives for preserving historic properties, and providing additional revenues to the City. The proposed ordinance has the support of the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the Somerville Planning Board, and all of the affected property owners.
The attached package with the map amendment, the supporting survey forms, and other documentation is the culmination of work completed by the City’s volunteer Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and Staff in the OSPCD, in close cooperation with the owners of the current Bed and Breakfast at 221 Morrison Avenue. I urge your Honorable Board to act upon this map amendment at your earliest convenience, so that the owners may proceed with the significant renovation work they would like to commence this summer, in concert with the Somerville HPC.
Staff from the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development will be available to respond to any questions you may have.
Respectfully,