2 - Town of Colchester

Implementation
See the implementation chart
on page 117 for the priority
and the assignment of
responsibility
for
implementation of these
cultural resource preservation
strategies.
HISTORIC RESOURCE PRESERVATION STRATEGIES
Protect Historic Resources
1. Continue to implement the 1995 and 1998 Plans for the Colchester Village Historic District (Town Center).
2. Continue to nominate districts, buildings, and sites to the National Register of Historic Places.
3. Establish additional local historic districts that protect community character and are supported by residents.
4. Maintain the demolition delay ordinance to allow time for the identification and preservation of historical structures.
Maintain Appropriate Regulations
5. Evaluate the Historic Preservation Overlay Zone and consider replacing it with Village Residential and Village
Business zones, taking advantage of the Village District provisions authorized by Public Act 00-145.
6. In the new village residential zone, continue to allow adaptive reuse of historic buildings (such as for low-intensity
office or institutional use) when the proposed use will aid in the preservation of the historic structure and provided
the proposed use is appropriate given the location of the site.
7. In the new village zones, adopt revised parking requirements that allow the Zoning & Planning Commission to waive
up to 25 percent of the required parking spaces provided that documentation can be provided that such spaces will not
be needed and provided that there is excellence in site and building design.
8. Review the zoning and subdivision regulations to ensure:
• preservation, renovation, and reuse of historically significant structures is encouraged,
• there is flexibility and incentive to preserve historic properties, and
• historical factors will be a consideration in land use decisions.
9. Consider the adoption of an assessment deferral ordinances (CGS 12-65c-f) for the preservation of historic structures.
Promote Historic Preservation Efforts
10. Encourage property owners to preserve cultural, archaeological and historical resources.
11. Establish educational programs to promote awareness of historical and cultural resources.
12. Encourage awareness of historic buildings and districts through the use of appropriate signage and displays.
13. Promote awareness of state and federal programs which provide tax credits and incentives for the rehabilitation of
historic buildings and provide code relief for historically significant buildings.
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