[MassHistPres] Ordinance concerning demolition by neglect

[Dennis De Witt]

Brookline has linked provisions in its Demo Delay Bylaw and Preservation Commission Rules & Regs (see both together -- they are on line) for Demolition by Neglect and, related to that, Demolition by Misadventure.  I know of only two Demo by Neglect cases on which action was taken — neither to my mind has been fully satisfactory, in part because it seemed as if different Building Commissioners were reluctant to take them on — in one case doing so in a very limited manner and in the other it took many years of neighborhood pressure.  And even then, I have the impression it is probably that serious interior issues in the second case might not be addressed.  So, while I do suggest these documents as models, consultation with the building department and/or municipal legal department might be in order as to how they might be tweaked to be more easily or more completely enforced.

Dennis De Witt
Brookline

> On Mar 12, 2024, at 3:10 PM, Dorothy Clark via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:
> 
> Hello list readers,
> I am wondering what, if any, communities in Massachusetts have ordinances in place that protect historic properties from demolition by neglect.
> 
> Dorothy Clark
> Assistant Survey Director
> Boston Landmarks Commission
> Office of Historic Preservation <https://www.boston.gov/departments/landmarks-commission>
> Office: (617) 635-2912
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