ARTICLE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 12, 2021 NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION HOSTS VIRTUAL ZOOM MEETING (Norwich, CT) – The Norwich Historic District Commission is sponsoring a free virtual zoom public information session discussing updates to the Historic District Commission’s design guidelines. The information session will be held on Thursday October 21, 2021, at 5:30pm. The information session will be recorded and will be available for viewing on the Historic District Commission’s webpage. There will be a brief presentation and questions will be taken from the floor. Information on how to participate in the virtual meeting will be posted on the special meeting agenda on the Historic District Commission's webpage. The Zoom Link can be found: www.norwichct.org/144/Historic-District-Commission. The Historic District Commission was awarded a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant from the State Historic Preservation Office to hire a consultant to help update the design guidelines. The consultant is working with members of the Historic District Commission to create a concise and clear document that will be used by the Commission to assist in its decisions and will be useful to anyone who is considering work which alters the architectural features of a historic structure located in the local historic districts. The design guidelines will be comprised of explanatory recommendations consisting of written and graphic information in a printed book format. Further, the design guidelines will also be accessible on the City of Norwich’s website and the Historic District Commission’s webpage. The design guidelines will be divided into sections highlighting a variety of architectural elements such as windows, entrances, porches, roofs, etc. Each section will be further divided into sections covering general background, maintenance and repair, replacement, and new construction. The design guidelines will help residents understand what proposed exterior changes the Commission encourages, as well as what it discourages. By knowing in advance what the design guidelines for evaluating applications will be, homeowners will be spared the frustration of having to go back to the drawing board if their original application did not meet the Commission's standards. Additionally, the guidelines will provide examples of appropriate alternative materials which homeowners can use when restoring their property. The design guidelines will provide the Commission with helpful tools which will better enable us to formulate our basis for making fair decisions and will also provide consistency in design review and will serve as an educational tool. Further, we hope that the design guidelines will improve communications between residents and members of the Commission. In addition, employees of the City of Norwich, such as the Building Department and the Planning and Zoning Office, will be benefit from having a document that will clearly outline recommended exterior changes to property within the two local historic districts, which will help them when reviewing building permits. About the Historic District Commission The City of Norwich established a city Historic District Commission on October 2, 1967. The intent of the ordinance was to “promote the educational, cultural, economic, and general welfare of the City of Norwich through preservation and protection of buildings, places, and districts of historic interest within the city of Norwich.” Upon its passing, Norwich established its first historic districts, the Norwichtown Historic District established in 1967 and the Little Plain Historic District established in 1969. Established on August 30, 1967, the Norwichtown Historic District encompasses the oldest original settlements in Norwich dating back to the seventeenth century. Founded in 1659, Norwich, CT the original land which became the town was “deeded” by the Mohegan Tribe to the English settlers. The town was built around the green and functioned as an agricultural, social, and business center. The Norwichtown Historic District contains a variety of colonial and Victorian era houses, shops, schools, and a church plus features landmarks such as Lowthorpe Meadows, the Norwichtown Green, and the Colonial Burying Ground. Norwichtown has twelve individual listings on the National Register and is an exceptionally well-preserved entity containing a high concentration of historic contributing buildings and sites dating from the late seventeenth to the twentieth centuries. Little Plain was the second Local Historic District established on June 24, 1969.The residential neighborhood was home for the wealthy captains of Norwich’s merchant class during the Revolutionary war era. The houses surrounding the little triangle green date to the 1700s and 1800s and include examples of Georgian, Greek Revival and Federal architectural styles. The area features Little Plain Park, a Civil War Memorial to the 26th Connecticut Regiment, the Daughters of the American Revolution Granite Fountain, and the Jacob DeWitt House. Other outstanding examples in the Little Plain Historic District include the Dewitt Sigourney House, Hezekiah Perkins House, and the Woodhull House. Media Contact: Regan Miner, Chairman, Historic District Commission Email: hdc@cityofnorwich.org Phone: 860-886-1776 Website: https://www.norwichct.org/144/Historic-District-Commission