[MassHistPres] Demo Delay length (& a small success)

[Dennis De Witt]

Betty

For what it's worth, we just went from 12 to 18 months for NR  
properties and the principal reason we gave was that each of our  
three new LHDs had been triggered by a demo case and that 12 months  
made the process of giving the neighborhood time to organize itself  
too hurried and that a more sedate process would be fairer for all  
concerned.  It helped that one vocal opponent to one of the LHDs had  
loudly complained that the process was "rushed".

The same updating also included a provision covering the systematic  
stripping of exterior architectural features (as you would get in a  
typical siding job) on NR properties and the demolition of intact  
original public interiors in NR properties (we figure about 20 in  
town) and a definition of demo by neglect.  Once we had convinced our  
board of selectmen and a fairly conservative sub-committee of our  
advisory committee to approve it -- after some substantial  
negotiations over the demo-by-neglect and interior demo clauses.  A  
very conservative member of the advisory committee was asked by a  
friend to give the Advisory committee's report to TM.  He spoke  
briefly but favorably and it passed without a single dissenting  
vote.  Beyond the above, I wish I could offer a magic formula.

However, I would like to report on a subsequent probable success from  
the amended bylaw -- of a sort I think we hadn't quite anticipated.   
A wonderful 1890s house which had been abused and misused for years  
by a fraternity was recently acquired by a non-profit hospital- 
related entity.  One of the most striking features of this house is  
that the entire second floor is made of vertical wood planks carved  
in lush bas relief foliage -- somewhat in the manner of English 16th  
C stucco bas relief work.  The new owner's initial proposal was to  
strip off the carved facade because of its neglected condition.  When  
they discovered that that would be probably subject to an 18 month  
delay, they decided to reconsider, without even asking for a  
hearing.  It looks like they will restore it instead.

Dennis De Witt




On Apr 17, 2007, at 3:49 PM, Dcolebslade at aol.com wrote:

> We have heard that Lexington just got the bylaw period extended to 12
> months.  Could someone let us know what the issues at Town Meeting  
> were and  how you
> dealt with them successfully?  Westport has its town meeting on  
> May  1 and
> has a warrant for an extension to 12 months.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Betty Slade
> Westport
>
>
>
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