[MassHistPres] Deed Restrictions and other protections for properties

[Christopher Bader]

Susan,

I have looked into deed restrictions for historic properties in Medford and
to make a long story short, this is not something you want to do.  The
problem is finding a trustee.  Since the trustee can sued by anyone for any
reason, the City of Swampscott will not want to do it.  The only
organizations who will do it will charge you a jaw-dropping amount of money.

Instead, you should create a single-house historic district as quickly as
possible.   Ideally, the Sisters should wait until the district is created
to sell the property.

Chris Bader
Chair
Medford Historic District Commission



On Tue, Oct 27, 2015 at 11:49 AM, Susan Munafo <spmunafo at gmail.com> wrote:

> We have an beautiful, seaside estate in Swampscott, White Court, that is
> about to be sold by the owners, Sisters of Mercy,  who recently closed the
> college, Marian Court, that had been there for many years.  In the past, we
> approached them about National Register status and they refused.  However,
> they now have expressed a desire to ensure the protection of the building.
> We are in process of submitting an application to MHC for eligibility on
> the National Register and it is also being studied for a Local Historic
> District.  However, we need something to ensure its protection
> immediately.  We want to propose some sort of deed restriction that would
> protect the building and property from being demolished and developed in an
> inappropriate way.  Our goal is to find developers who are interested in
> using historic tax credits to restore the building for use as a hotel,
> conference center, or school.
>
>
>
> We will be meeting with the Sisters to discuss potential resuse of this
> historic estate and I would like to propose the deed restriction.  Please
> provide any insight you have!
>
>
>
> Thank you,
>
>
>
> Susan Post Munafo
>
> Chair, Swampscott Historical Commission
>
>
>
>
>
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