Historic District Commission

The West Hartford Historic District Commission (WHHDC) is the town body responsible for the function and administration of local historic districts and local historic properties within West Hartford, and specifically works to protect and preserve the architectural integrity and character of the three town-designated districts including: the Buena Vista Historic District, the Boulevard-Raymond Road Historic District, and the West Hill Historic District, as well as, eight individual properties composed of eighteenth and early nineteenth century farmhouses.

The WHHDC serves in a regulatory and advisory capacity for West Hartford’s designated historic districts and properties, namely through the issuance of Certificates of Appropriateness (CoA). A CoA is required for most projects that would alter the exterior appearance of a building within a designated historic district or individual property that is visible from the right of way. CoA’s must be approved by the WHHDC before any permits can be issued by West Hartford’s Building Department. It is the WHHDC’s role to determine whether or not a project is appropriate for the character and appearance of the historic district or subject historic property. The WHHDC uses adopted design guidelines, design principles, and the Standards for Rehabilitation adopted by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in determining whether or not a project can be approved.

Another primary duty of the HDC is to review qualifying residential and commercial demolitions within the Town of West Hartford. The WHHDC reviews demolition permits from the Building Department for buildings that are 50 years and older and 500 Sq. Ft. or more. If the WHHDC believes the structure in question may have enough integrity to qualify as an important historic or cultural building, then they may uphold a demolition delay for a period of up to 180 days. During this period the demolition of the structure may not commence and the WHHDC may work with the applicant to propose an alternative to demolition. 

The WHHDC is comprised of five (5) regular members and three (3) alternate members who serve a 5-year term and are appointed by the Town Council.

The commission meets on the fourth Monday of the month except for May. No meetings in November or December.

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION (5 Members, 5-year Term, Code Sec. 5-57)