How to apply to the HDC

1
How to apply to the HDC

• (Its not as bad as you think.)

2
Do I really need to apply? Really?

• The answer is probably yes.
• Re-roofing, color changes, window
  replace-ment, retaining walls, arbors, decks
  they all fall within our purview. The only thing
  that you do not need HDC review for is
  landscaping unless you are changing the grade.
  Then we need to see you!

3
Heres everything you will need

• Completed Application Form A description of all
  the intended work must be shown on application
  form (well look at this next)
• Application Fee See the back of the application
  for the fee schedule
• Locus Map (4 Copies) This is a birds eye view
  of the property in question you can print out
  your copies from the Towns GIS server at
  http//host.appgeo.com/nantucketma/. Be sure to
  back out to the third or fourth zoom so that
  you can see some major roads to help with
  orientation
• Plot Plan (4 Copies) For minor changes (such as
  trim color and the like) you can also use the GIS
  mapping system (at the closest zoom), but for
  more extensive work the plan must include the
  following information lot dimensions, north
  arrow, all existing structures, proposed work
  (highlighted) with dimension to lot lines, scale,
  driveway, grade changes, hardscaping (driveway,
  grade changes, and hardscaping may need separate
  application)
• 8-1/2 x 11 Copies of ALL Application Materials
  One (1) additional set must include the
  following application form reduced 64, locus
  map, plot plan, all elevations and floor plans,
  window schedule, photographs, other relevant
  supporting material. Most of this will already
  be in reduced format, so just make some
  additional copies you can reduce the application
  form on the copier in the HDC office

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Now heres what you might need.

• Supplemental Information for Historic Buildings
  This is required of ALL buildings considered
  contributing (see the HDC survey in our office)
  and all demolitions. Information may also be
  obtained from the Nantucket Historical
  Association Library
• Exterior Elevations and Floor Plans (4 copies)
  These must be ¼ scale and include all affected
  sides of the building, cardinal points (N, S, E,
  W), dimensions, heights, floor and ceiling
  heights, elevations of finished grade, and window
  details
• As Built Plans (1 copy) Drawings showing what
  the house looks like now. These will act as a
  baseline for any changes to you plan to make for
  small projects, photos will work just fine
• Topographic Map Must show existing and proposed
  grade for any change of more than one foot in
  height on grade retaining walls must be applied
  for separately
• Door and Window Schedule (4 copies) Must include
  window type (true divided, simulated divided),
  number of lights, dimensions, materials,
  manufacturers type name and type number
• Photographs Required of all applications for
  alterations to an existing structure photographs
  are also necessary to show siting and surrounding
  buildings they must be labeled with application
  address or contextual address
• Abutter Notification Materials A certified
  abutters list from Assessors Office, certified
  mail stubs, and a copy of letter are required for
  all applications for changes of 1000 square feet
  or more.
• Approvals from Planning Board, Zoning Board of
  Appeals, Conservation Commission etc.

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Help us to help you!

• What youre doing
• is creating copies of a
• packet of information
• for the commission,
• that shows them
• where the property is
• what it looks like
• and what you want to do
• with this information, we can help guide you
  through the process.

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Still feeling a bit out to sea?

• Dont worry you can always call or email us
  at the HDC office any of our staff will be happy
  to help you with your application.
• Lets forge on ahead for now, and get down to
  brass tacks. Its the most intimidating part of
  the process for most people.

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Filling out the dreaded forms.

• Oh come on, its not THAT bad!
• Lets go through it together, step by step
  heres the entire form (dont worry most of it
  probably wont apply to you).

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Property information

• Heres where you tell us where the property is
  on the island the map and parcel information can
  be found here
• http//host.appgeo.com/nantucketma/

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Agent information

• If you are not the property owner, you need
  to fill out this section -- if you are the owner
  (lucky you!) you can skip this part.
• We will also need a written statement (an
  email or fax is fine) from the property owner
  stating that you are authorized to do work on
  their property.

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What is it that you want to do?

• Whatever it is, tell us here. If you dont
  see your option listed, or if your application is
  for multiple changes, please use the Other
  option to describe the work.
• Make sure to tell us about any grade changes,
  and please detail changes to each elevation in
  the section labeled Revisions if its just one
  change to all elevations (like changing trim
  color) just bracket all four and give us one
  description.

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If you have an historic house.

• or if youre not sure,
• its very important to find out!
• Dont worry it doesnt mean
• that you cant change anything
• about the house, but there is a
• (little) bit more involved in applying.
• We have surveys that were done in the 1980s
  (help yourself theyre in the Administrators
  office) but other sources include the Nantucket
  Historical Association, Mass Historical, family
  records, etc. Basically you want to provide as
  complete a story as you can of the history of
  your house, because you see.

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An old house is like a book.

• and you are adding a new chapter.
  Congratulations! But before you do, we need a
  little background for the sake of future
  caretakers of the property.
• Its your good fortune to be able to be an
  active part of what makes Nantucket the special
  place that it is!

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Anyway, back to the application.

• OK, now were down to the nitty-gritty
• This is where you need to provide specific
  information about the work you are planning to
  do most of this section probably wont apply to
  you, but the parts that do need to be filled out
  completely. If you have any questions, please
  contact the HDC office.

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Youre almost there.

• In this section you tell us which colors you
  will be applying to each bit of the work
  described previously
• Generally speaking, on the application you
  start out describing the project in broad strokes
  and get more and more specific as you go along.

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And thats it!

• That wasnt so bad, was it?
• On the back of the checklist form (or on our
  website) you can find the deadline dates for
  submission and the meeting date that your
  application will be hear on (its labeled New
  Business on the form). Applications must be
  received by noon on the day of the deadline (or
  by the close of business for mailed submissions)
  and will be taken up at the meeting in the order
  in which they were received in the HDC office.

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At the meeting itself.

• You never can tell how fast things will go, so
  its a good idea to be there early bring a
  book, pay some bills or just sit back and relax.
  After all youre on Nantucket, how bad could it
  be?

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At the meeting, four things could happen

• they could approve your application
• they could deny it
• they could ask for a viewing (because they need
  to see the property to get a sense of the work)
• or they could simply hold the application for
  revisions based upon the comments made by the
  commission

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If they approve it

• youre golden! Give us a couple of days to
  process the paperwork then stop on by to pick up
  your approval.
• Sometimes they approve through staff, which
  means that there are minor changes that you need
  to do before we can release it. In that case,
  just give us a call the next day and well get
  things sorted out.

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If they deny it

• well, sometimes it does happen. There is an
  appeals process if you feel that there were
  procedural errors in your hearing rather than
  going into that here, just check in with the
  office staff on how to proceed if and when this
  occurs.
• Lets think positively for now.

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Or they could hold for revisions

• This is not uncommon, and is easily dealt
  with you just need to submit the changes by one
  of the rolling deadlines in order to be heard at
  the following Old Business meetings.
• Again in this case, your best bet might be to
  check in with the staff and go over what you need
  to do.

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Hopefully, youre still with us.

• Were not here to drive you crazy
• although it may feel like it
• were here to help Nantucket
• to remain the place you fell in love with.
• Lets keep Nantucket Nantucket.
• Thanks for your help!

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Historical District Commission

• Dirk Roggeveen, Chair
• Linda Williams, Secretary
• John McLaughlin
• Valerie Norton
• Dawn Hill Holdgate
• Diane Coombs, Alternate
• John Wagley, Alternate
• Aaron Marcavitch, Alternate
• _______________________________
• Mark Voigt, HDC Administrator