[MassHistPres] Demolition Delay - Age of buildings

[Peter Williams]

Hi Brian (and others),

The Town of Stockbridge adopted in 2007 a bylaw (approved by the Attorney General’s office) that provides for a potentially indefinite demolition delay, thus significantly addressing the “bump in the road” problem.  The bylaw also applies town-wide, to any “significant historic building” as defined in the bylaw.

The bylaw has worked well and saved some wonderful old buildings.

It is Article XXII of the Town’s General Bylaws (available on the Town website).  A copy of the bylaw is attached.

Peter Williams, Secretary, Stockbridge Historic Preservation Commission (which administers the bylaw); Clerk, Stockbridge Historical Commission

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Demolition Bylaw 2011-1.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 75195 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/pipermail/masshistpres/attachments/20210224/aafd4bff/attachment-0001.pdf>
-------------- next part --------------


> On Feb 24, 2021, at 11:21 AM, Brian Stripp <brianchevy.71 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> in Chelmsford we have a 12 month demolition delay on buildings 75 years and older. We have had some discussion regarding going to 18 months with differing opinions on the effectiveness of that change.
> We find that the determined people/companies look at the delay as a bump in the road.
> I would be interested if any other towns/cities have any tools to make it harder for folks to just wait out the delay period.
> 
> Brian Stripp, Vice-Chair Chelmsford Historical Commission
> 
> On Wed, Feb 24, 2021 at 9:44 AM WN Hill Preservation <wnhpreservation at gmail.com> wrote:
> In Newton, our current demolition delay ordinance applies to buildings 50 years old or older.  There is discussion of changing that, with several proposals on the table.  
> 
> I would be interested to learn of the experience of other towns and cities, if there have been recent changes in your ordinance, and what you have found to be the most effective for preservation.
> 
> Laura Foote
> Director, West Newton Hill Preservation Initiative
> 
> <WNH logo.png>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> WNHpreservation.org
> _______________________________________________
> MassHistPres mailing list
> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
> http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/listinfo/masshistpres
> _______________________________________________
> MassHistPres mailing list
> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
> http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/listinfo/masshistpres