Town of Yarmouth Historic Preservation Plan

Bassett, Hilary; Vestal, Barbara; Jaegerman, Alex

Executive Summary: "Yarmouth's Historic Preservation Plan (HP Plan) is part of a series of initiatives that the Town has undertaken to develop policies to preserve its iconic Village development pattern and distinctive historic character. It is based on recommendations from the 2018 Architectural Survey of the Historic Village area, which identifies historic resources and proposes initial strategies for their protection. The HP Plan also responds to trends in real estate development, recent zoning updates, and priorities identified in the 2010 Comprehensive Plan. The Historic Resources Steering Committee (HRSC), which was appointed in 2016, worked closely with Director of Planning Alex Jaegerman and historic preservation consultants Hilary Bassett and Barbara Vestal to prepare the HP Plan and its supporting documents. The project was funded with a grant from the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, with matching support from the Town. The HP Plan reviews historic preservation in Yarmouth and offers resources, recommendations, and draft documents to guide the development of preservation programs and policies to protect and enhance the Town's historic assets. Sections 1-4 discuss the purpose of the Plan, the planning context for its development, a brief history of the Town, and an overview of its historic resources and preservation efforts to date. Sections 5-8 describe the HRSC's recommendations, the benefits of historic preservation, proposed initial Historic Designations, and potential future Historic Designations. Section 9 summarizes the elements of a proposed Historic Preservation Ordinance, while Section 10 provides an overview of public awareness strategies, incentives, and funding sources for Historic Preservation. Finally, Section 11 specifies 18 recommendations, future tasks, and opportunities for the Town to consider and provides a general timeframe and criteria for prioritization. Along with relevant Town planning documents, the Supporting Material includes drafts of a Context Statement, list of Contributing Structures, Objects, and Local Historic Landmarks, and Map for proposed initial Historic District Designations; a draft Historic Preservation Ordinance; and a draft Historic Preservation Design Manual that provides guidance for property owners." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S Department of the Interior (grant number P20AF00024).

Town of Yarmouth Historic Preservation Plan

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