[MassHistPres] Brookline's eighth (& first single-property) LHD

[Dennis De Witt]

I am pleased to note that last night Brookline Town Meeting approved by ± 200 to 3 the Wild-Sargent LHD -- Brookline's eighth and its first single-property LHD.  

It consists of a large 1822 Federal house throughly colonial revivalized in the 1920s and its carriage house on what are potentially at least three lots.  

Along with the LHD, TM also voted to approve accepting a preservation easement to prevent separation of the property into more than two lots -- one each for the house, with it's otherwise separable and developable front lawn, and the carriage house.  The family which has lived in the house since the '20s wanted to assure its preservation.  They had explored a preservation easement with HNE but eventually felt that it might not be a good fit because they were concerned that the house, which needs a lot of remedial work, might be difficult to market as is, especially given the interior restrictions of an HNE easement.  However, they had identified a smaller developer who had reworked and sold several houses in Brookline LHDs and was comfortable with design review by the Brookline Preservation Commission.

Dennis De Witt
Brookline