Warrant Article Title:
BYLAW AMENDMENT/GUTTERS IN HISTORIC DISTRICTS

Warrant Article Text:
To see if the Town will vote to amend Title VII, Historic Districts, in Article 4, by adding a provision whereby the replacement of existing gutters with fiberglass gutters, made by an approved manufacturer, may be allowed administratively, without the necessity of notice or hearing; or take any action related thereto.

Requested by:
(Inserted by the Select Board at the request of the Arlington Historic Districts Commission)

Report Excerpt:
The Select Board appreciates and recommends positive action on this article to provide a new “exemption” from Arlington Historic District Commissions (“AHDC”) review for compliance with Historic District requirements. In brief, the AHDC’s experience is that appropriate modern fiberglass gutter products can sufficiently replicate the appearance of much more expensive and difficult to procure wooden gutters. As such, it does not make sense for such updates to be submitted for a full AHDC review for a certificate of appropriateness. Rather, homeowners in historic districts can simply apply for a certificate of non-applicability, which can be handled much more efficiently and without consuming as much of the commissions’ or owners’ time and resources.

Vote Language:

That Title VII (“Arlington Historic District Commissions”) Article 4 (“Authority of Commissions and Limitations Thereon”) Section 3 (“Limitations on Authority of Commissions”) be and hereby is amended to add a new exemption in a new subsection “H” as follows: 

 

H. The replacement of existing wood or aluminum gutters with fiberglass gutters, provided that the fiberglass replacements shall be 1) substantially similar in size, design, and installation to those being replaced and 2) subject other such conditions as to manufacturer, installation details [including paint], documentation requirements, and similar matters as the relevant Commission may reasonably specify.

 

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