Criteria for designation of Historic Districts

A. Surveys. The Historic District Commission may undertake studies and surveys to identify and evaluate historic properties in the City of Pawtucket to identify neighborhoods, areas, sites, structures and objects that have historic, community, architectural or aesthetic importance, interest or value. As part of the survey, the District Commission shall review and evaluate any prior surveys and studies of any unit of government or private organization.
B. Criteria for consideration of nomination.
- (1) The Historic District Commission shall, upon such investigation as it deems necessary, make a determination as to whether a nominated property, structure or area meets one or more of the following criteria:
  - (a) Its character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the nation, state or City.
  - (b) Its location as a site of a significant local, county, state or national event.
  - (c) Its identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the development of the nation, state or City.
  - (d) Its embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style valuable for the study of a period, type, method of construction or use of indigenous materials.
  - (e) Its identification as the work of a master builder, designer, architect or landscape architect whose individual work has influenced the development of the community or state.
  - (f) Its embodiment of elements of design, detailing, materials or craftsmanship that render it architecturally significant.
  - (g) Its embodiment of design elements that make it structurally or architecturally innovative.
  - (h) Its unique location or singular physical characteristics that make it an established or familiar visual feature.
  - (i) Its character as a fine or unique example of a utilitarian structure, including but not limited to commercial structures, with a high level of integrity or architectural significance.
  - (j) Its suitability for preservation or restoration.
- (2) Any structure, property or area that meets one or more of the above criteria shall also have sufficient integrity of location, design, materials and workmanship to make it worthy of preservation or restoration.
C. Nomination of Historic Districts. Nominations for Historic Districts shall be completed by the applicant on a Commission Property Nomination Form and may be submitted by the Historic District Commission, a property owner of record, the City Council or any other person or organization.
D. Notification and public hearing. The Pawtucket Historic District Commission shall schedule a public hearing on all districts whose nomination form is completed in proper form. Notice of the date, time, place and purpose of the public hearing shall be sent to the owner of record and the nominating person or organization at least seven days prior to the date of the hearing.
E. Historic District Commission procedure. The Historic District Commission shall, within 60 days after the public hearing, adopt by resolution a recommendation that the nominated structure or Historic District does meet the criteria for designation in Subsection B of this section. Nominated properties shall have a letter of consent from the owner or trustee on file with the Commission. The resolution shall be accompanied by a report to the City Council and City Planning Commission containing the rationale for approving any nomination.
[Amended 10-23-1997 by Ch. No. 2470]