Kendal Common Local Historic District Study Committee

Establishing the Study Committee 

In January 2022, the Select Board appointed the Crescent Street Historic District Commission as the commission responsible for forming the study committee to conserve the Kendal Common neighborhood as a Local Historic District.

In February 2022, the Crescent Street Historic District Committee voted on nominees for the Kendal Common Historic District Study Committee. In March 2022, the Select Board voted to appoint the nominees for the newly formed Kendal Common Local Historic District Study Committee.

Background and Timeline

In the Summer of 2022, the Town, through the Historical Commission, solicited an RFQ for the Weston Modern Architecture Survey – Phase 1. One of the goals of this project is to conduct a community wide survey to assess and document approximately the 105 examples of modern architecture in Weston constructed between 1925- 1975. A priority was put on updating the Area Form for the Kendal Common neighborhood, as well as completing individual building forms for homes in this area.

In August 2022, the Town accepted the proposal of Historic Preservation Consultant Stacy Spies for the Weston Modern Architecture Survey – Phase 1. Ms. Spies began her work on the survey in the fall of 2022 and the survey is slated to completed in Summer 2023. Ms. Spies’ survey work will help to inform the Kendal Common Historic District Study Committee as they work towards the goal of creating a Local Historic District.

The Kendal Common Historic District Study Committee’s education and outreach work is ongoing with the neighborhood. The establishment of the Local Historic District requires neighborhood support, a public hearing, and a two-thirds affirmative vote at Town Meeting.

There are many publications on the topic of mid-century and modern architecture, for a concise introduction to the topic please refer to this select bibliography

Goals

The Kendal Common Local Historic District Study Committee is charged with researching and reporting on the historic significance of the buildings, structures, features, adn sites within the Kendal Common Area. In accordance with MGL Ch. 40C, the Study Committee will provide a report with the recommendation to establish a Local Historic District at Kendal Common. 

The homes in the neighborhood do not fall under the purview of the Historical Commission as they were constructed post 1945 and therefore have no protections under the Town's Demolition Delay Bylaw.

Introduction to the Neighborhood and Modern Design

Purview of the Local Historic District

Members

• Rick Brotman, Neighborhood Representative/ Resident
• Alicia Primer, Crescent Street Historic District Commission Member
• David Fixler, Architect
• Kathryn Scadden, Realtor
• Henry Stone, Historical Commission Member

Staff Contact

• Christine Zale, Assistant Planner/Historical Commission Administrator

Meeting Agendas and Minutes

All meetings are open to the public. Agendas are posted online prior to the meeting. Minutes are also available online, following approval. Subscribe to receive notification of when meeting agendas are posted online.