[MassHistPres] Realtor Refuses to Sell

[Michael Roughan]

C. William,

The town of Hopkinton had a similar situation with a threatened property
and instituted both a demo delay as well as initiated the process for a
single property LHD (local historic district). With an 18 month demo delay,
you should have time to get town meeting approval, if that is what is
required in your charter?

......Mike

Michael Roughan
Chairman, Historical Commission


On Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 8:11 AM billakso--- via MassHistPres <
masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:

> The Lunenburg Historical Commission declared a home built in 1895 as
> significant, and imposed an 18-month demolition delay, supported by the
> town's building commissioner. The most recent use was as a funeral home.
> The property is owned by a holding company in Florida, but a local
> developer appears to be the future owner.  We are informed that he is the
> agent for the holding company. The realtor and the developer are committed
> to demolish the building and erect several units of housing. They have
> stated they will "Wait out the delay."
>
> The building commissioner, fire chief and the Commission agree the
> building is in good condition and suitable for conversion to one or two
> residences.
>
> Asked by the Commission, at what price would an offer for the property
> would be acceptable, the realtor responded with an amount.  A potential
> purchaser willing to pay that amount called the realtor, indicating
> interest in purchasing it.  The response given was "No, we are going to
> tear it down," or words to that effect.
>
> The owner and agent have been provided documents requiring them to
> advertise the property for sale, restoration, or moving, in order to
> preserve it.  They are also required to submit bimonthly reports of their
> efforts, with the demolition delay extended one day for every day of delay
> beyond the due date of the report.
>
> We would like to hear if other towns have encountered a similar conundrum,
> and if there was a solution.
>
> C. William Lakso
> Vice Chair, Lunenburg Historical Commission
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