[MassHistPres] Historic house demolition and ownership

[Elizabeth Ware]

All,

Most recently a development proposal has come before the Dracut Planning Board that will involve the demolition of a significant "villa" in Dracut.
The developer and the property owner have both refused to keep the house on site, as more units can be generated without the house there.
Additionally, the project is subject to a special permit process with the Planning Board.  The CPC and Historical Commission have most recently lobbied to keep the house on site.
Several staff and board/commission chairmen have been trying to figure out how to address this issue and have explored moving the house.
The town has CPC funds which can be used for moving, foundation and restoration on a new site.  We acknowledge that this situation is not ideal but it is what it is.

Today, the issue of ownership came up, with the understanding that, if the house were moved, the town would own it and have all the liability, etc. for oversight of the house.
This would then lead to public bidding for moving the building, exterior stabilization, etc.  More complication to an already complicated situation.

In other situations that I have been involved with in the moving of a house, usually it's an agreement between the developer/owner and a new buyer/owner, who would restore the house.
The town acts as the facilitator between owner/developer and new owner but does not have an ownership in the house to be moved.

I would appreciate knowing how other communities address the issue of moving buildings and their ownership as they travel over public roads and state "highways".

Thank you.


Betsy Ware

Director of Community Development
Town of Dracut
978-453-4557

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