Andover Street Neighborhood District                                                

Belvidere Hill Neighborhood District                                                

Rogers Fort Hill Park Neighborhood District                                    

South Common Neighborhood District                                                            

Tyler Park Neighborhood District

Wannalancit Street Neighborhood District

Washington Square Neighborhood District

Wilder Street Neighborhood District

What is a Neighborhood District?

A Neighborhood District is an area with boundaries designated by the City as containing land, buildings, streetscapes, physical features and improvements or both, which are of historical, social, cultural, architectural, or aesthetic significance to the community, and thereby constitute a distinct neighborhood within the city.  On July 12, 2005 the Lowell City Council voted to create eight Neighborhood Districts under Section 9 of the Lowell Historic District Act (Chapter 566, Acts of 1983) utilizing the boundaries of already previously existing National Register of Historic Places districts.  The creation of the districts was initiated by citizen petition as provided for by statute and was in response to demolition of historic structures and construction of structures inconsistent with neighborhood character.

What does the Lowell Historic Board review in the Neighborhood Districts?

The Historic Board reviews demolition of existing buildings within the districts, as well as any relocation of buildings out of the districts.  The Board also reviews new construction of buildings within the Neighborhood Districts resulting from demolition and on previously vacant land to ensure compatibility with the surrounding buildings and character of the district. 

What is considered demolition?

Demolition under the Design Standards for the Neighborhood Districts refers to the complete or partial tearing down of a building or structure or the removal of a building or structure from a site within the district.

What is considered new construction?

New construction under the Design Standards for the Neighborhood Districts refers to construction of a building or structure on an empty site within the district, which is independent from any other structure on the property.  For example, building a home, a detached garage, or a pool house would all be considered new construction as would a project’s associated landscape and site elements.

What if I want to build an addition on my home which is located in a Neighborhood District?

The Historic Board does not review additions to existing buildings or structures.

If the Historic Board has jurisdiction over demolition and new construction, what are some of the changes they do not review?

The Historic Board does not review the installation of swimming pools or tennis courts, painting or color changes, installation of vinyl siding, repair or replacement of windows and doors, masonry repairs or replacements, roof repairs or replacements, gutters and downspouts, fencing, landscaping, or paving as it pertains to existing structures and sites.  Only demolition and new construction is reviewed.

How long does the review process take?

Normally 30 days but this depends upon the timing of the application, completeness of the application, and appropriateness of the proposed project.  Historic Board staff, the district’s Neighborhood Committee, and the Board’s Design Review committee meet as often as needed to assist project applicants in developing proposals that are consistent with the character of the district and the district’s Design Review Standards.  Proposals would be heard before the Historic Board, which meets monthly, at a public hearing after the statutorily required seven-day notice with decisions almost always rendered at the hearing.