St. Botolph Area Architectural Conservation District
The Saint Botolph Area Architectural Conservation District was designated in 1981.
The St. Botolph Area Architectural Conservation District Commission (SBAACDC) meets on the third Wednesday of each month to review proposed exterior work. Interested in becoming a commissioner? Please see details about nomination in the district's Study Report and check the commission information section at the bottom of this page. If you see an "apply online" button, we have an opening on the commission and you're able to apply for it.
Design Review Process
PLEASE NOTE: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Staff must determine that your application is complete fifteen (15) business days prior to the public hearing date to be added to an agenda. Incomplete applications cannot be added to an agenda.
All proposed exterior work, including work at rooftops, that is, or will be, visible from any public way (including Southwest Corridor Park) is subject to the review of the SBAACDC. You must submit a Design Approval Application to the Commission and it must be approved by the Commission before beginning any exterior work subject to Commission review.
Apply For Design Review Online
- To save time and costs, please contact staff early in the planning process to determine project compliance with the standards and criteria.
- Review all instructions and documentation requirements before submitting your application to ensure it is complete. Only complete applications will be added to a public hearing agenda.
- Please review all instructions and documentation requirements before submitting your application.
- Submit your application well in advance of a filing deadline in case it is marked incomplete and additional or revised information needs to be submitted.
- Staff is not available to review applications for completeness immediately upon submittal.
- Do not begin any work, or buy materials, until after you have received confirmation you project has been approved.
History
The St. Botolph area was created in 1857, when public health concerns and creating new space for Boston’s growing population led to filling tidal lands. Development in St. Botolph began ca.1881 and by the end of the 1880s, about half of the St. Botolph area was developed with mostly single-family residences. The remainder of the area was developed in the 1890s with construction of multi-family structures. Although close to Back Bay and the South End, rapid development by speculators lends St. Botolph a visual cohesiveness not found in its larger neighbors.
For further historical background please see St. Botolph Area Architectural Conservation District Study Report.
Resources
Resources- Once your application has been ruled on by the commission, your decision letter will be emailed to you.
- If approved, use the decision letter to obtain your building permit with the building department. Be sure to display your approval placard on site, visible to the public, for the duration of the project.
- Archeology Department
- Archives Department
- Boston Public Library
- Boston Planning and Redevelopment Agency
- Community Preservation Act
- Disabilities Commission
- Environment Department
- Fire Department
- Inspectional Services Department
- Language and Communications Access
- Neighborhood Services
- Parks & Recreation Department
- Public Works Department
- St. Botolph Neighborhood Association
- Transportation Department
- Zoning Board of Appeals
2025 agendaS
- SBAACDC January 15, 2025 (Cancelled)
NOTE: Our office has additional, older hearing recordings, agendas and meeting minutes available at request. Please contact us for more information.
2024 agendas
- SBAACDC January 17, 2024
- SBAACDC February 21, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC March 20, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC April 17, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC May 15, 2024
- SBAACDC June 26, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC July 17, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC August 21, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC September 18, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC October 16, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC November 20, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC December 18, 2024
2023 agendas
- SBAACDC January 18, 2023 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC February 15, 2023
- SBAACDC March 15, 2023
- SBAACDC April 19, 2023
- SBAACDC May 17, 2023
- SBAACDC June 15, 2023 Subcommittee Meeting
- SBAACDC June 21, 2023 Cancellation
- SBAACDC July 11, 2023 (Rescheduled from June 21, 2023)
- SBAACDC July 19, 2023
- SBAACDC August 16, 2023 Cancellation
- SBAACDC August 16, 2023 Subcommittee Meeting
- SBAACDC September 20, 2023
- SBAACDC October 18, 2023 Cancellation
- SBAACDC November 15, 2023
- SBAACDC December 20, 2023 Cancellation
2025 meeting minutes
NOTE: Our office has additional, older hearing recordings, agendas and meeting minutes available at request. Please contact us for more information.
2024 meeting minutes
- SBAACDC January 17, 2024
- SBAACDC February 21, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC March 20, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC April 17, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC May 15, 2024
- SBAACDC June 26, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC July 17, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC August 21, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC September 18, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC October 16, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC November 20, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC December 18, 2024
2023 meeting minutes
- SBAACDC January 18, 2023 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC February 15, 2023
- SBAACDC March 15, 2023
- SBAACDC April 19, 2023
- SBAACDC May 17, 2023
- SBAACDC June 15, 2023 Subcommittee Meeting
- SBAACDC June 21, 2023 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC July 19, 2023
- SBAACDC August 16, 2023 Subcommittee Meeting
- SBAACDC September 20, 2023
- SBAACDC October 18, 2023 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC November 15, 2023
- SBAACDC December 20, 2023 (Cancelled)
SBAACDC 2025 recordings
NOTE: Our office has additional, older hearing recordings, agendas and meeting minutes available at request. Please contact us for more information.
SBAACDC 2024 recordings
- SBAACDC January 17, 2024
- SBAACDC February 21, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC March 20, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC April 17, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC May 15, 2024
- SBAACDC June 26, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC July 17, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC August 21, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC September 18, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC October 16, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC November 20, 2024 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC December 18, 2024
SBAACDC 2023 recordings
- SBAACDC January 18, 2023 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC February 15, 2023
- SBAACDC March 15, 2023
- SBAACDC April 19, 2023
- SBAACDC May 17, 2023
- SBAACDC June 21, 2023 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC July 19, 2023
- SBAACDC August 16, 2023 Subcommittee Meeting
- SBAACDC September 20, 2023
- SBAACDC October 18, 2023 (Cancelled)
- SBAACDC November 15, 2023
- SBAACDC December 20, 2023 (Cancelled)
Commission Info
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Department:
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Authority:City
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Term:3 years
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Stipend:No
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Total Seats:7
Current members
Member | Appointed | Expires | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Barbara Wennerholm | 5/6/2020 | 6/30/2020 | Holdover |
Susan Trowbridge | 5/6/2020 | 6/30/2022 | Holdover |
Francoise Elise | 11/27/2017 | 6/30/2020 | Holdover |
Richard Henderson | 9/23/2016 | 6/30/2019 | Holdover |
Douglas Miller | 8/28/2024 | 11/10/2026 | Holdover |
James Kutchin | 8/28/2024 | Active | |
Nancy Russell | 11/8/2023 | 11/10/2026 | Active |