Department of Planning & Community Development

The Preservation Division is responsible for administering Town policies and laws with respect to preserving the Town's cultural resources. The division staffs the Preservation Commission and guides the process of review of buildings in Local Historic Districts and buildings subject to the Town's Demolition Bylaw. In addition, the division seeks and manages grants to conduct studies of the Town's historic assets, as well as conducts research and provides technical assistance directly.

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 procedure.

For meeting dates and information, Local Historic District maps, addresses, guidelines and applications and infomation about the demolition process, see below.

Greer Hardwicke, Preservation Planner
Jean Innamorati, Preservation Planner
(617) 730-2089
Click here to contact the Preservation Division



Design Guidelines

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.


Rules and Regulations

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

24 Walnut Place

158 Naples Road

February 9, 2010

15 Cumberland Avenue (revised)

March 9, 2010

224 Walnut Street

April 13, 2010

89 Highland Road

14 Hawthorn Road

May 11, 2001

14 Dummer Street

14 Hawthorn Road - revised

18 Acron Road

56 Upland Road

78 Upland Road

June 8, 2010 

66 Harvard Avenue

153-155 Naples Road

36 Amory Street

43 Circuit Road

89 Highland Road 

 
DEMOLITION CASE REPORTS
110 Yarmouth Road

150 Rangeley Road

70 Sewall Avenue

64 Naples Road 

163 Kent Street

19 Hilltop Road

59 Green Street

80 Heath Street

33 Chestnut Street

11 Chestnut Place

143 Saint Paul Street

240 Kent Street

 
Local Historic Districts

There are five Local Historic Districts in Brookline: Chestnut Hill North, Cottage Farm, Graffam-McKay, Harvard Avenue and Pill Hill. Most modifications to the exterior of buildings in these LHDs require review by the Town to ensure that they are appropriate to the historic character of the LHD. You can click on the names of any of the LHDs below to see a map of properties within their boundaries. You can also find detailed information about each LHD at the links below.

The design review process begins only when an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, a Certificate of Non-Applicability, or a Certificate of Hardship, accompanied by plans, elevations, and specifications, as may be relevant to the case, is submitted to the Preservation Commission office. For more information about the design review process, please refer to the Design Guidelines for Local Historic Districts.  It is a good idea to call or to meet informally with the Staff to discuss any proposed work.  Applications must be submitted at least two weeks before the work can be reviewed at a Public Hearing.  Please refer to the Local Historic District Meeting and Application Dates for meeting dates and application deadlines.

Local Historic District Meeting and Application Dates
Design Guidelines for Local Historic Districts

Local Historic District Application

Chestnut Hill North LHD map
Chestnut Hill North LHD Addresses
Cottage Farm LHD map
Cottage Farm LHD Addresses
Harvard Avenue LHD map
Harvard Avenue LHD Addresses
Graffam-McKay LHD map
Graffam-McKay LHD Addresses
Pill Hill LHD map
Pill Hill LHD Addresses
Additional Information on Local Historic Districts


Demolition Review

The Town's Preservation Commission and staff also review demolition of properties in Brookline. If a property is deemed to have historic merit, the Town has the option of placing a stay of demolition for up to 12 months - or 18 months for National Register properties- to allow the Town and the owner to discuss alternatives to demolition of the property.

Additional Information on Demolition Review
Demolition Application



Additional Resources

Brookline History
Information about National Register Districts in Brookline
Miscellaneous Preservation Files
Neighborhood Conservation District Study (2005)
Preservation Commission