HINGHAM, Mass.— Barrett Planning Group is working with the Town of Cohasset and the Cohasset Village Historic District Study Committee to evaluate a proposed local historic district in the heart of Cohasset Village, while supporting a series of public engagement efforts aimed at informing residents and property owners ahead of a potential Town Meeting vote this fall.
The initiative focuses on studying the feasibility of establishing the Cohasset Village Local Historic District, a proposal designed to help preserve the architectural character and historic streetscapes that have defined the village as the town’s commercial and civic center since the late 18th century.
Cohasset Village is home to a diverse collection of historic residential, civic, and commercial buildings that reflect more than two centuries of development. While the town currently maintains a local historic district surrounding Cohasset Common, established in 1978, the proposed district would expand protections to additional portions of the village that contain a significant concentration of historic structures not currently subject to local historic district review.
The Cohasset Select Board established the Cohasset Village Historic District Study Committee in 2025 under the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40C, known as the Historic Districts Act. The committee is charged with evaluating the proposal, conducting public outreach, and preparing recommendations and materials for future consideration by Town Meeting.
As part of the process, Barrett Planning Group is providing planning support, educational resources, and community engagement services to help residents, business owners, and property owners better understand the purpose of a local historic district and how the review process would function if adopted.
The Study Committee has already hosted public forums for district property owners and community members and plans to continue outreach efforts throughout the summer. Upcoming engagement activities will include participation in local events and informal opportunities for residents to ask questions and provide feedback.
“Community engagement is a critical part of this process,” said Jennifer Doherty, Preservation Planner at Barrett Planning Group. “The goal is to provide residents and property owners with clear, accessible information about what a local historic district is, how the process works, and what it could mean for Cohasset Village.”
Committee members emphasize that the effort is intended to balance historic preservation goals with the interests of property owners, local businesses, and the broader community.
“The Study Committee’s objective is to advance a balanced process that considers the interests of Cohasset Village property owners, local businesses, and the broader community,” said Woody Chittick, Chair of the Cohasset Village Historic District Study Committee. “The goal is to support the long-term vitality of Cohasset Village, including property values and local economic activity, while maintaining its distinctive buildings and streetscapes that reflect its historic role as the town’s commercial and civic center.”
Under Massachusetts law, the creation of a local historic district requires approval by a two-thirds majority vote at Town Meeting. Additional public education and outreach efforts are planned throughout the summer as the Study Committee continues its evaluation and prepares for potential Town Meeting consideration later this year.
Supporters of the proposal say the process represents an opportunity for residents to help shape the future of Cohasset Village while preserving the historic character that has long contributed to the community’s identity and economic vitality.
Additional information about the proposed Cohasset Village Local Historic District is available through the Town of Cohasset.
