[MassHistPres] Non-transferable demo delay

[Dennis De Witt]

Last night Brookline Town Meeting unanimously passed a by-law amendment terminating (with a couple of minor exceptions) any demo delay process when ownership of a property changes hands.   Certain brokers would tell their listing clients to apply for demo delay to make the property more attractive to potential buyers.  On average the Commission and its staff were wasting scarce time and resources on at least one such case each month, where there was no subsequent interest in demolition.  Now, if a new owner actually wants demolition, they will have to apply for it de novo.

This amendment, together with some other definitional clarifications relating to partial demolition, was drafted by a subcommittee of the commission with helpful input from two local real estate attorneys and, of course, town council and the building commissioner. 

Dennis De Witt
Brookline