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Charlestown
Town of Charlestown Zoning Ordinance
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§ 218-45

Historic Village District.

§ 218-45. Historic Village District.

The purpose of the Historic Village Overlay District (HV) is to protect, preserve and maintain the quality of the Town's villages, to preserve the Town's heritage, cultural and architectural qualities, to foster civic beauty, to strengthen the local economy and to promote the use of such districts for the education, pleasure and welfare of the citizens of the Town.

  • A. Designation. The Historic Village Overlay Districts are hereby designated on the Town of Charlestown Official Zoning Maps that are part of this Ordinance and on file at the Town Clerk's Office.

  • B. Site Plan Review/Permitted Uses.

    • (1) No new nonresidential structure shall be erected and no existing nonresidential structure shall be added on to, moved or demolished in any manner affecting the exterior appearance or location of such structure until site plan application has been approved by the Planning Commission or the Town Planner may approve minor changes according to the provisions of § 218-45D, Historic District Standards, and all other applicable local, state or federal regulations. No Work shall begin until such approval shall have been filed with the Building Inspector. [Amended 6-25-2012 by Ord. No. 349] (2) The regulations of Historic Village District Overlays are in addition to requirements set forth for the underlying zoning districts. Any use permitted in the primary zoning district shall be permitted in the Historic Village Overlay District with the exception of the following:

      • (a) Automobile Repair/Major (b) Automobile Repair/Minor (c) Blacksmith/Welding/Machine Shop (d) Building Supply/Lumber Outlet (e) Cold Storage Locker (f) Funeral Home (g) Miniature Golf Course (h) Saw Mill (i) Well Drilling Services (3) Residential review (Reserved).

  • C. Historic Village District Commission. The Planning Commission members shall sit as the Historic Village District Commission. Members of a historic district commission shall be required to participate in continuing education courses promulgated pursuant to § 45-70-3 of the General Laws entitled "Continuing education for local planning and zoning boards and historic district commissions." [Amended 2-12-2024 by Ord. No. 409]

  • D. Historic District Standards. The Planning Commission acting under the relevant provisions of this Article shall determine the appropriateness of design elements of proposed buildings and alterations of existing buildings within the HV. Proposals shall be evaluated in relation to existing, adjacent and surrounding buildings. To be considered appropriate, buildings shall reflect the Charlestown traditional building style which is rural in character and similar to existing buildings. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prevent routine maintenance or repair of any structure within a HV. The Planning Commission shall pass only on exterior features of a structure. In the case of an application affecting a structure that the Planning Commission deems valuable to the district, the Planning Commission shall endeavor to work out with the owner an economically feasible plan for the preservation of such structure. In reviewing plans, the Planning Commission shall consider: [Added 6-25-2012 by Ord. No. 349] (1) The historic or architectural value, the significance of the structure and its relation to the historic value of the surrounding district including:

    • (a) Horizontal or vertical emphasis;

    • (b) Scale;

    • (c) Stylistic features and themes;

    • (d) Height;

    • (e) Bulk and general massing;

    • (f) Proportion of openings;

    • (g) Materials and textures of buildings and signage. Natural materials which are consistent with and do not create an adverse impact on the existing character and aesthetic integrity of the Charlestown Historic District shall be required. If the Building Official refuses to issue a building permit for the proposed alteration, the applicant shall be referred to the Planning Commission who shall review the application pursuant to § 218-71B and E(3)(b)[14]; and (h) Use of traditional roof pitches.

    • (2) The relationship of the exterior architectural features of such structure to the rest of the structure and to the surrounding district;

    • (3) All parking will be located on the side or rear of building except where physical site constraints are documented by the applicant. Within the HV the Planning Commission shall determine the adequate off-street parking requirements for uses reviewed under this Section. The Commission shall encourage applicants to use reserve parking areas, shared parking and satellite parking areas within the HV. Parking and driveway areas should reflect the historic character of the area and be screened where abutting residential uses or districts.

    • (4) Any other historical or architectural factors, which the Commission deems to be pertinent to HV.

    • (5) Sign Design Standards as specified in ARTICLE XI § 218-63F.

    • (a) Signs affixed to the exterior of a building shall be architecturally compatible with the style, composition, materials, colors, and details of the building.

    • (b) Signs shall fit within the existing facade features, shall be confined to signable areas, and shall not interfere with floor and window openings, conceal architectural details or obscure the composition of the facade where they are located. Signs shall be placed on a facade only in a manner historically appropriate to the style of the building.

    • (c) Wherever possible, signs located on buildings within the same block face shall be placed at the same height, in order to create a unified sign band.

    • (d) Wood and painted materials shall be preferred for sign construction. Flat signs shall be framed with raised edges.

    • (e) If signs are illuminated they shall either be spotlighted or backlighted with a diffused light source. Spotlighting shall require complete shielding of all light source; light shall be contained within the sign frame and shall not significantly spill over to other portions of the building or site. Backlighting shall illuminate the letters, characters, or graphics on the sign but not its background.

    • (f) Signs shall be mounted so that the method of installation is concealed.

    • (6) Prohibited signs.

    • (a) Any sign prohibited by ARTICLE XI, Signs, of this Ordinance.

    • (b) Exterior neon signs.

    • (c) Window signs.

    • (7) Moving or Demolition Applications. Moving structures of historic or architectural value may be permitted as an alternative to demolition. The Commission may approve such application if:

    • (a) Such structure is a deterrent to a major improvement program and removal of which will be substantial benefit to the community;

    • (b) Retention of such structure would cause undue financial hardship to the owner; or (c) The retention of such structure would not be in the interest of the health or safety of the community.