[MassHistPres] preferably preserved

[Dennis De Witt]

Jane

Some municipalities consider the replacement building in determining whether demolition is delayed.  Brookline does not.  

In Brookline, first there is a determination of significance by staff and the chair, which may be upheld by the commission.  Only then would there be discussion with the proponent as to whether there might be a mitigation issue such as a) condition or b) incorporating some or all of the exiting building into the new project or c) recordation, etc.  It is not uncommon here to negotiate design review with the proponent -- whether of the work to be done to the building, if the demo is partial but subject to delay, or of the new design if demolition is total.  Obviously, the proponent can wait out the delay, so that limits what the Commission can get.  

In addition, a majority of Brookline's LHDs have been triggered by demo cases and put into place during the delay, when the neighborhood felt strongly enough about the potential loss.  Brookline has a 12 month delay for non-NR properties, which is tight, and 18 months for NR.  Arguably, except for saving the Coolidge Corner Theater, the creation of LHDs has been demo delay's most important impact in Brookline.

As for developers, the assumption should be that they are smart and know what they are doing.  There is no reason to cut a developer slack just because he didn't realize the project was subject to a delay.  That is a different issue from whether you might negotiate design review.

Dennis De Witt 


On Dec 17, 2013, at 9:40 AM, David Ottinger <davidottinger at hotmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Jane Lowell,
> If you don't mind my asking: what is the context and meaning of the term "preferably preserved"?  Is it different from the concept of conservation?
> Thanks,
> David Ottinger
> 
> From: jel42 at comcast.net
> To: MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
> Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:39:13 -0500
> CC: Wagner.ellen at comcast.net; wagnerwayne1 at verizon.net; kemscho at yahoo.com
> Subject: [MassHistPres] preferably preserved
> 
> The Mendon Historical Commission is having a hearing to determine if a building should be preferably preserved.  This hearing is a first for the HC.  What criteria do other commissions use to determine if a building should be preferably preserved?  Any advice will be appreciated.
>                               
>                                                                                                                                                 Regards,
>                                                                                                                                                 Jane Lowell    Mendon HC
> 
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