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🏛 Old King’s Highway Historic District Committee
Preserving the architectural and historical character of Yarmouth Port’s Route 6A Historic District
4+2
Members + Alternates
3 yrs
Term Length
2nd Mon
Meeting Schedule
7:00 PM
Hearing Time
🗺️ About the District: The Old King’s Highway (Route 6A) Regional Historic District is one of the largest nationally-registered historic districts in the United States. In Yarmouth Port, it encompasses the historic village center with Colonial, Federal, and Greek Revival architecture dating to the 17th–19th centuries. Any exterior changes to buildings within the district boundary require a Certificate of Appropriateness from this committee.
👥 Committee Members
Source: yarmouth.ma.us — Old King’s Highway Committee Directory
| Name | Role | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Wilkins | Chair | 12/31/2027 |
| Cindy Ecker | Vice Chair | 12/31/2026 |
| Paul Grimble | Member | 12/31/2028 |
| Paula Morrison | Member | 12/31/2025 |
| John Stuart | Alternate | 12/31/2025 |
| John Grady | Alternate | 12/31/2025 |
📋 What the Committee Does
📜 Certificates of Appropriateness
Reviews all applications for exterior changes to buildings within the district — additions, new construction, demolition, window/door/siding/roofing changes. Issues or denies Certificates of Appropriateness.
Reviews all applications for exterior changes to buildings within the district — additions, new construction, demolition, window/door/siding/roofing changes. Issues or denies Certificates of Appropriateness.
🏠 Design Review
Evaluates proposed changes against the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and local historic district regulations, considering architectural compatibility, materials, and massing.
Evaluates proposed changes against the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and local historic district regulations, considering architectural compatibility, materials, and massing.
⚖️ Quasi-Judicial Hearings
Holds public hearings on applications. Property owners present plans; neighbors and the public may comment. Decisions may be appealed to the Massachusetts Land Court.
Holds public hearings on applications. Property owners present plans; neighbors and the public may comment. Decisions may be appealed to the Massachusetts Land Court.
🔍 Enforcement
Works with the Building Commissioner to ensure work done without approval is remediated. Unpermitted work can result in fines and required restoration to original condition.
Works with the Building Commissioner to ensure work done without approval is remediated. Unpermitted work can result in fines and required restoration to original condition.
⚠️ Active Issues (2025–2026)
🏚️ Demolition by Neglect
Several historic properties along Route 6A are at risk due to deferred maintenance. The committee is working with the town and state historic preservation office on tools to address deterioration.
Several historic properties along Route 6A are at risk due to deferred maintenance. The committee is working with the town and state historic preservation office on tools to address deterioration.
⚡ Solar Panel Installations
A growing number of applicants seek approval for rooftop solar panels visible from public ways. The committee must balance energy modernization goals with historic preservation standards.
A growing number of applicants seek approval for rooftop solar panels visible from public ways. The committee must balance energy modernization goals with historic preservation standards.
🏗️ New Construction Design Review
Several new construction projects along the Route 6A corridor require design review for compatibility with Yarmouth Port’s historic streetscape character.
Several new construction projects along the Route 6A corridor require design review for compatibility with Yarmouth Port’s historic streetscape character.
📅 Meetings & Resources
Hearings are generally held on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at Yarmouth Town Hall. Applications must be submitted in advance — check the town website for submission deadlines.
📝 How to Apply
Property owners within the district who wish to make exterior changes must submit a Certificate of Appropriateness application before starting any work. Contact the Planning Department at 508-398-2231 for guidance and application forms.
DID YOU KNOW
Old King’s Highway (Route 6A) is one of the longest historic districts in the United States.