[MassHistPres] Historical Significance based on Streetscape

[Robert Busch]

Hi

In Bolton we had a situation about six years ago where a 1728 house that 
belonged to the Town's first Moderator was at significant risk of being 
demolished,  Associated with the house was an early 20th century garage 
that a developer urgently needed to demolish to make way for a road, 
needed for development of the large property.  The garage, by itself, 
was not historically significant, but, were it to be demolished, it 
almost certainly would have led to the historic home being demolished, 
at a later date.

The Historical Commission concluded that this created a "nexus" and 
determined the garage to be historically significant due to its 
association with the preservation of the home. The prospect of delaying 
the garage's demolition, created substantial leverage with the Developer 
that facilitated negotiation of a binding agreement to save the historic 
house. This was VERY contentious at first, but it ultimately worked for 
the benefit of all parties. The house was saved and now provides two 
units of affordable housing, and the development was also completed on 
schedule

The Commission even honored the developer via a plaque on the home 
crediting the developer for it's preservation.

Regards,

Bob Busch

Chairman, Bolton Historical Commission

On 2/7/2025 8:10 AM, Jay Tetzloff via MassHistPres wrote:
> Hello all - has anyone in the group invoked their demolition delay 
> bylaw by declaring a structure to be historically significant based on 
> its relationship to other structures and the sightlines / 
> streetscape?  My town has a demo permit pending for an 1880s Mansard 
> structure which individually does not qualify (we have no historic 
> property survey on it and there are several other mansard buildings on 
> the street), but is unique in the sightlines and context it creates.  
>  Any firsthand experience with this specific situation would be most 
> appreciated!  Thank you,
>
> -- 
> Jay E. Tetzloff
> 612-669-9943 direct
>
>     https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaytetzloff
>     <https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaytetzloff>
>
>
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