Historic District Commission

Local Historic District Commission

Fairfield Avenue is the first Local Historic District in Holyoke. (Mass. General Law Chapter 40 C)

Composition: The  Local Historic District Commission is a seven-member board established in 2007 (2010) and was duly appointed by former Mayor Pluta and confirmed by the Holyoke City Council.

Purpose: The commission's most important goal is the preservation of Holyoke's first local historic district- Fairfield Avenue. The purpose of the District Commission is to aid in the preservation and protection of the distinctive characteristics and architecture of the buildings and places significant to the history of the City of Holyoke, to maintain and improve their settings as approved in the City Ordinance and to encourage new building designs compatible with the existing architectures, enlargement or reduction of boundaries, and filings of maps.

Means of Operation: The Local Historic District holds public meetings once a month and public hearings as needed. The District Commission reviews any changes to the exterior of the properties on Fairfield Avenue;  reviews/amend the guidelines for the local historic district, upholds the ordinance as amended and approved by the Holyoke City Council, and works in cooperation with other municipal agencies to ensure the goals of historic preservation are considered in the planning for future preservation of this street. The Commission also coordinates with other local groups whose interests involve history or historic preservation.

The District Commission also serves as a liaison between these groups on matters pertaining to historic preservation programs and is mandated to be the local district commission for state and federal preservation agencies alerting them to local preservation issues that pertain to the Local Historic District. The existing Local Historic District Commission may be asked to survey and research any new historic districts in the city.

We respectfully request that interested individuals attend several commission meetings before requesting confirmation and appointment by the Mayor and City Council. The Chair will have more information and packets to aid in the better understanding the duties of the District Commission.

Downloadable PDF documents

Legal Form Historic District Ordinance -Fairfield

Fairfield Avenue registry map

Fairfield Ave Sheet

Fairfield Avenue Summary Report - Please call the Office Of Planning & Economic Development for this report

Please note: Application for exterior changes must be approved before permits are issued. Download here:

Local Historic District Certificate Application