Mission

The Brookline Preservation Commission, made up of seven regular members and four alternate members appointed by the Selectmen, is a Local Certified Government. It fulfills its legislative responsibilities which include the enforcement of the Demolition By-law and the Historic Districts By-law. Its other responsibilities are to promote the protection, restoration, and preservation of the Town’s historical and cultural assets; to encourage a healthy preservation and development climate; and to provide homeowners and Town agencies with historical and technical advice on appropriate restoration procedures. These objectives are accomplished by sponsoring public education activities; by sponsoring annual Preservation awards; through processing local historic district and demolition applications; by working with the Planning Board and Board of Appeals on design review and zoning cases; by offering technical assistance to property owners, developers and Town agencies; and by participating in the environmental review process when the use of federal or state monies or approval may affect National or State Register property.

Brookline has five Local Historic Districts: Chestnut Hill North, Cottage Farm, Graffam-McKay, Harvard Avenue, and Pill Hill as well as 16 National/State Register Districts and over 80 National/State Register individual listings. Over the years, the Commission has produced walking tours, a history of Town-owned buildings, design guidelines and a preservation and maintenance study on the historic buildings owned by the Town. The office is located on the third floor of Town Hall and is staffed by two preservation planners, Greer Hardwicke and Jean Innamorati. The hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The phone number is (617) 730-2089.

Design Guidelines and Rules & Regulations

For more information about Brookline's five Local Historic Districts, design review principles and the review process, as well as maps and frequently asked questions, please refer to the Design Guidelines for Local Historic Districts.

The Brookline Preservation Commission has approved Rules and Regulations.  They define the powers, functions and duties of the Commission as well as explain the Local Historic District process and the Demolition Delay process.

Monthly Meetings

LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT CASE REPORTS

January 12, 2010

66 Harvard Avenue

153-155 Naples Road

36 Amory Street

43 Circuit Road

89 Highland Road

July 13, 2010

82 High Street

68 High Street

78 Upland Road

10 Circuit Road