West Street Historic District Commission Preserving the unique character of Reading West Street Historic District Commission An introduction

West Street Historic District Commission Preserving the unique character of Reading Historical Reading Public school in operation since 1693 Parker Tavern, built in 1694, is our oldest building Dr. John Brooks, a Revolutionary War Captain became the ninth governor of Massachusetts

West Street Historic District Commission Preserving the unique character of Reading Why a Historic District? To preserve the distinctive characteristics of buildings and places significant to Reading’s history Maintain and improve the settings of those buildings and places Assure that new construction is compatible with existing buildings

West Street Historic District Commission Preserving the unique character of Reading Why West Street? Site of the first settlement on today’s Reading Showcase of modest and diverse houses built from the 1700s, through the Victorian era, to the post-WWII suburban boom

West Street Historic District Commission Preserving the unique character of Reading Why West Street? Reading Minutemen mustered here, at the Dragon Corner, before marching to Concord to engage the British on April 19, 1775

West Street Historic District Commission Preserving the unique character of Reading Where is the West Street Historic District? West Street from County Road to Fremont Street 86 to 269 West Street 4 and 12 County Road 3 Lewis Road 111 Scotland Road 95 and 98 Howard Street 302 Woburn Street 3 Wescroft Road

West Street Historic District Commission Preserving the unique character of Reading Historic District Commission Guidelines The Commission has established a set of guidelines for homeowners contemplating changes to the exterior of their homes

West Street Historic District Commission Preserving the unique character of Reading What the guidelines are not meant to do: Prevent change Freeze houses as they are

West Street Historic District Commission Preserving the unique character of Reading What Guidelines are meant to do Ensure that future alterations and new construction respect the heritage and compatible with the historic architecture and streetscape Balance individual creativity with a continuity in the district’s physical and cultural character Enhance the entire district Enhance the entire town

West Street Historic District Commission Preserving the unique character of Reading Changes subject to review include.. Exterior HVAC Light fixtures Garden Houses/Storage Sheds Non-vegetative Landscaping –Fencing –Walls –Driveways Roofing Roof decks Siding Skylights Street Furniture Swimming Pools Temporary Garages Trellises Windows

West Street Historic District Commission Preserving the unique character of Reading Changes NOT subject to review include… Chimney caps Paint color Flagpoles Sculpture Mailboxes Window Boxes House Numbers Gutter & Downspouts Interior changes Vents Outdoor furniture Trees, bushes, plants Solar panels Storm windows & doors Satellite antennae Temporary signs or structures Terraces and walks Sidewalks

West Street Historic District Commission Preserving the unique character of Reading Getting Started Before beginning any exterior work, or even before applying for a building permit, owners of property in the Historic District must submit one of the following –Certificate of Non-Applicability –Certificate of Appropriateness –Certificate of Hardship

West Street Historic District Commission Preserving the unique character of Reading We’ve made it easy with one simple form