For the time being, Preservation Connecticut’s offices are closed, but we are working remotely. We are still here for all your preservation needs- see our contact page to find out how to email each staff person.
We will be keeping you updated on how preservation procedures are affected by the new directives from federal and state government. Sign up for our email list and follow us on social media to stay connected!
Governor Lamont’s Executive Orders regarding historic preservation actions for local governments to reduce physical interaction but to keep business moving forward with public input:
Under the Orders, all state and local laws to the contrary are suspended and replaced by the following:
– Local preservation commissions can meet virtually or telephonically, as long as they post notice of the meetings and agenda items 24 hours in advance.
– Timelines for commission decision-making are extended by 90 days. This could delay decisions on projects, but it could also mean that projects whose applications are about to expire won’t get automatically approved or denied, and won’t have to go through a new application process if it takes a commission a little while to get organized.
– The second Order eliminates all newspaper notice requirements, all physical sign posting requirements, and all notices required to be filed in the municipal Clerk’s office if the municipality posts information that would have been required in the notice (e.g., a meeting date/time and Zoom conference info) on its website.
– The second Order eliminates mailed notice, if there’s an email address to send the notice to, or if there’s no email address, in two other ways. One of those ways is relevant if local laws require mailed notice to nearby neighbors: an applicant can satisfy the mailed notice requirement by posting a sign.
– Petitions by the public can now be signed and submitted electronically.
– The demolition delay period for properties within historic districts, which by state law is 90 days, has been extended to 180 days.
Stay healthy!