Selectmen discuss demolition delay bylaw

The proposed demolition delay bylaw, which will go before town meeting this April for a vote, would allow the town to impose an up to 12 month delay for any building demolition. In the past when this bylaw was proposed, there were concerns about which buildings the bylaw would protect. This year, the Belmont Historic District Commission (HDC) is proposing that the bylaw apply to 215 Belmont properties that are listed on the Massachusetts Cultural Resources Inventory, according to HDC chairman Mike Smith.

The recent demolition of the historic church in Waverly Square was discussed. Selectman Andy Rojas had tried to get that demolition delayed, but the developer was not interested and Rojas said he had no leverage. A demolition delay bylaw would have given the town that one year period to try and work with the developer, said Rojas. Without the bylaw, the developer was reluctant to delay demolition because of the uncertainty.

The HDC will invite the 215 property owners and the public to hearings on the proposed list. There are two properties, one a showroom on Pleasant Street and the SS Pierce building in Cushing Square that will likely be removed from the list.

The proposed bylaw is a targeted approach that puts the town in the right direction, said Rojas.

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Selectmen discuss demolition delay bylaw