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Historic District May Grow by Two in Clinton

After nearly 40 years, the Liberty Green Historic District may be expanding. The next step in the process is a public hearing of the Historic District Commission next month.

In an effort to help maintain historic landmarks and houses in town, Clinton has a Historic District Commission. Besides the maintenance and protection of the historic sites, the commission also helps enhance the character of the town by preserving the structures.

One such area is the Liberty Green Historic District, which was formed in 1979. The district is composed of the Town Green and six surrounding houses, five of which were built prior to 1800. Now the owners of two more homes, which are adjacent to the district and already listed on the National Register of Historic Places, want their homes to join the district. By joining the district, owners agree that any alterations to the exterior of the property be approved first.

“When I came back on [the Historic District Commission in 2017], they were talking about expanding,” said Peggy Adler, who lives in the district.

Adler engaged the current owners of the houses to gauge their interest, and learned that the owners were indeed interested in joining the historic district at this point.

“I took it upon myself to contact them. Logistically it makes sense,” Adler said.

The two proposed houses that may be added to the district are 6 Liberty Street, which was built in 1840, and 109 East Main Street, which was built in 1850.

Attempts to reach the owners for comment were not returned.

Once she learned of the owner’s interest, Adler wrote a report for the state’s Historic Preservation Commission, which approved the addition of the two homes.

Included in the report is a history of Clinton’s historic districts, descriptions of the new properties, and descriptions of what the Historic District Commission does. From there, Adler had to seek approval from the Clinton Planning & Zoning Commission, which was granted on Jan. 14. The next step in the process is a public hearing of the Historic District Commission scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m in Town Hall.

According to Adler, following the hearing, the town clerk will provide ballots to the owners of the two properties that are being added to the district. If the owners vote to be added to the district, the Board of Selectmen will formalize the properties becoming part of the district.