[MassHistPres] Realtor refuses to sell

[aubrey theall]

We are dealing with a somewhat similar situation in Groton and unfortunately were advised by town counsel that the owner’s offer to give away the historic house (only if moved off site) in question met the standards that our demo delay bylaw contains in regards to making an effort to sell the structure in question.  We could not compel them the offer the house and surrounding land for sale.  We also determined that there is not an appetite for single address historic district in town at this point.  I can understand your frustration.

Aubrey Theall, Chair, Groton Historical Commission


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> On Apr 9, 2024, at 12:00 PM, masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
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>   1. Realtor Refuses to Sell (billakso at aol.com)
>   2. Re: Realtor Refuses to Sell (Ralph Slate)
>   3. Re: Realtor Refuses to Sell (Michael Roughan)
> 
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> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
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> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2024 11:53:44 +0000 (UTC)
> From: "billakso at aol.com" <billakso at aol.com>
> To: "masshistpres at cs.umb.edu" <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
> Subject: [MassHistPres] Realtor Refuses to Sell
> Message-ID: <470450775.4244245.1712663624463 at mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
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> 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 LaksoVice Chair, Lunenburg Historical Commission
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> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2024 08:34:22 -0400
> From: Ralph Slate <slater at alum.rpi.edu>
> To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Realtor Refuses to Sell
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> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2024 09:25:10 -0400
> From: Michael Roughan <historychair at hopkintonma.gov>
> To: "billakso at aol.com" <billakso at aol.com>
> Cc: "masshistpres at cs.umb.edu" <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Realtor Refuses to Sell
> Message-ID:
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> 
> 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
>> _______________________________________________
>> MassHistPres mailing list
>> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
>> https://mailman.cs.umb.edu/listinfo/masshistpres
>> 
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