NHPT and Local Historic Districts
By Susan Godshall
Soon after its founding in 1961, Preservation Trust members commissioned a bronze Landmark Plaque and awarded the plaques to many deserving structures. As the awards program grew, it became clear that awards to individual historic properties, no matter how worthy, needed a parallel program to honor and preserve entire neighborhoods.
Beginning in 1965, the Trust’s Board of Directors, led by Doris (Deb) Townshend, developed an informational brochure about the Wooster Square neighborhood and laid the groundwork for establishing the Wooster Square Local Historic District (LHD). Assisted by enthusiastic volunteers, Townshend went house-to-house in the neighborhood, explaining the benefits of an LHD. She drafted a proposed Ordinance establishing the LHD and ushered it through the New Haven Board of Aldermen. After approval by two-thirds of the property owners within the District boundary, the Wooster Square LHD, containing 178 properties, was approved in 1970.
Townshend immediately began work creating a second LHD in the Quinnipiac River neighborhood, repeating the steps of research and face-to-face visits with determination and dedication. The Quinnipiac River LHD, incorporating 241 historic buildings on both sides of the Quinnipiac River, was approved in 1977.
At present, New Haven’s historic resources include three Local Historic Districts: Wooster Square, Quinnipiac River, and City Point, approved in 2001. Each LHD is characterized by a distinct residential architecture and unique setting. Wooster Square is a dense 19th and early 20th century urban village around a gracious central square, while the Quinnipiac River and City Point districts reflect different aspects of the City’s maritime history.
Local Historic Districts differ from State and National Register Historic Districts because they provide greater protection for the designated properties. Once an LHD is established, a commission is appointed to formally review and act on applications from property owners who wish to make exterior architectural changes. A five-member Historic District Commission (HDC) was established by the City in 1970. In addition to a representative from each LHD, the Ordinance states that at least one member of the HDC shall be selected by the New Haven Preservation Trust. The current Trust designee is Susan Godshall.
The HDC provides oversight of exterior building alterations in these three districts. The HDC aims to preserve features associated with a time period or style of architecture that shape the district’s character and ensure that modifications are in harmony with the district as a whole. Almost 50 years of HDC guidance has stabilized and improved property values and fostered the visual, educational and cultural welfare of the City.
Actions affecting building exteriors in the three Local Historic Districts are subject to a high level of review. Any proposed alteration, rearrangement, restoration, addition or demolition within a Local Historic District requires approval by means of a Certificate of Appropriateness. The Trust’s staff provides assistance to residents at no cost in framing applications to the HDC.
In accordance with the Ordinance, the HDC looks at the significance, style, arrangement, and materials of the architectural features involved and their relationship to the style and pertinent features of other structures in the neighborhood. These guidelines are applied to a wide variety of proposed projects, from refurbishing 19th century porches to modifying neighborhood storefronts and installing solar panels.
Property owners in these districts are usually proud to be part of a neighborhood that holds onto its historic flavor while accommodating 21st century life. Retaining this historic character while satisfying today’s needs requires a careful balancing act. There may be tension between the ideal of using authentic building materials such as wood and the expedience of contemporary materials like vinyl and aluminum.
HDC meetings take place monthly and are open to the public. Almost every meeting demonstrates the valuable and painstaking work needed to retain the character of these historic New Haven neighborhoods and keep them alive for future generations.
Susan Godshall serves on the Board of Directors of the New Haven Preservation Trust.
Photo of 604 Chapel Street by Joseph Dzeda.