[MassHistPres] owner request to demolish property based on condition

[Garrett Laws]

Preservation is *perceived *to be more costly for someone retaining the same
footprint of structure...

I wouldn't be surprised if there is a whole lot going on it the background
here!

Cheers,
Garrett

The Copper & Slate Company, Inc.
Fine Roofing and Exterior Finish Carpentry
238B Calvary Street, Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 893-1916

What we do:
http://picasaweb.google.com/copperandslate

Where we've worked over the years:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=100752233045636062690.00049065ef8543e1ef9c3&z=15


On Tue, Jan 25, 2011 at 11:23 AM, Valerie Norton <preserve at nantucket.net>wrote:

>  I do not think that any structure with this historic significance should
> be allowed to be torn down.
> In our business we find that if it is still standing it can be preserved.
>  Even with huge holes in the roof and listing to one side.
> I would appreciate it if you took some photos when you have your site
> meeting.  If the building is this age it most likely a post and beam which
> can be repaired without a doubt.
> I will say that they are probably looking to demo because as we all know
> preservation can be more costly than new construction.
> I say hold your ground and do not allow demolition.
> Valerie Norton
>
> Norton Preservation Trust
> PO Box 476
> Nantucket, MA 02554
> 508 228 9987
> 508 228 7882 (FAX)
> preserve at nantucket.net
>
>
> Norton Preservation Trust
> Building Artisans and Architectural Designers of Historic Homes
>
>
>
> On 1/25/11 9:13 AM, "Paul Bourdon" <Paul.Bourdon at GTC-BIO.COM> wrote:
>
> > WOW! I guess I don't understand how they have the money to tear this
> > nationally significant building down and rebuild a brand new house??? So
> > they would be willing to replicate a chamfered First Period timber frame?
>  I
> > would make sure you have someone who can make an informed assessment of
> the
> > actual structural condition of the building. A lot of old houses look a
> lot
> > worse than they are and replacing sills is not that big a deal. Why don't
> > they just sell the property? How do people like this become owners of
> these
> > buildings?
> >
> > Paul Bourdon
> > Southborough
> >
> >
> > On 1/24/11 10:20 PM, "Nancy Dole" <ndole at verizon.net> wrote:
> >
> >> Hi everyone.
> >>
> >> We have had an owner application for a certificate of hardship to allow
> >> them t o demolish a house they own in the district. I will just copy
> >> here the minutes from the meeting this evening, and ask for comments.
> >>
> >>
> >> Applicant came to discuss the situation with the family homestead, she
> >> and her brother are the current owners, as of 1998. They want to
> >> demolish the house and build a new house in the same location, and would
> >> begin that process by requesting a certificate of hardship, based on the
> >> age and condition of the existing structure. The original house is a
> >> cape circa 1630, built by Josiah Standish, one of the original settlers
> >> of West Tisbury, and the son of Miles Standish, a well known figure in
> >> American history. The additions to the original structure were built in
> >> 1865 by applicant's great great grandfather. The house has great
> >> significance in the town’s history, and is a town and island landmark.
> >> But it is in severe disrepair, and the current owners are not able to do
> >> the work needed to preserve it. Demolishing it and building a new home
> >> would be their preferred solution.
> >>
> >> It is not clear if a hardship that is unique to the property and is not
> >> applicable to the rest of the district, which is required by our bylaw,
> >> could be that it is older than any other structure in the district and
> >> is in such disrepair that it is not worth fixing.
> >>
> >> One of our members suggested we do some research to see how other
> >> districts have handled the issue of a house that is of great historic
> >> value to a district, but is beyond repair and/or too costly for the
> >> owners to repair. We decided to contact the Mass Historic Commission
> >> Mail Server List, and raise the issue.
> >>
> >> There was discussion by the members as to whether the original 1630 cape
> >> was more historic than the 1875 additions, which were add-ons, and if
> >> those add-ons could be demolished and not replaced, while the original
> >> cape could also be demolished, but be replaced by a replica.
> >>
> >> The decision was made to schedule a site visit for Saturday the 29th at
> >> 10:30 am. The members of the Historic Commission as well as any other
> >> interested parties are welcome to attend.
> >>
> >> Another meeting will be scheduled for February 7th.
> >>
> >> So I am doing as requested, and writing to ask if any of the other
> >> districts have had applications like this, and how they were resolved.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >>
> >> Nancy Dole
> >> West Tisbury Historic District Commission
> >>
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