Town Meeting: Revised Demolition Delay Bylaw approved

A decision on a revised Demolition Delay Bylaw was delayed no more, as Town Meeting approved an amended version of the bylaw on Nov. 15 to allow owners of homes listed as historic a clearer path to appeal the designation.

One of the issues with the current bylaw is that its confusing to understand, said Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner before introducing Article 13, which tackled the bylaw. if the agency that must implement it is unclear about it, that is a problem.

If a home is listed as historic, there must be a six-month waiting period if a homeowner decides to demolish the home, according to the bylaw. The changes are meant to clarify the appeals process, giving homeowners options if they feel the delay could result in personal hardship.

There is no downside [to being listed as an historic home] except the demolition delay, said Elaine Webb, a citizen member of the Demolition Delay Bylaw Working Group, which sought to inform the changes.

Changes to the Demolition Delay Bylaw has been a subject of debate for at least two years, with Town Meeting deciding against a decision on proposed changes last year when it appeared a satisfactory resolution was not yet in sight, leading to the formation of the working group.

For most of us here, our homes are the single biggest investment we make in our lifetimes, Webb said. When a something happens to that investment in which you feel you lose control, it is something you feel strongly about.

The Bylaw Committee made several recommendations to amend Article 13 in the Subsequent Town Meeting warrant to further refine the language in the proposed changes. However, the Historical Commission proposed another amendment to the article to do away with a proposed second appeal to the Board of Selectmen as part of the process. The Historical Commission is the deciding body in the first appeal.

Mark Cardono, chairman of the Historical Commission, noted the six-month delay is just that: a delay. He also noted that it is just a safeguard in case there is a reasonable way to save a home, pointing out the delay doesnt affect proposed renovations to a home, just demolition.

We feel strongly about property rights and dont want to take them away from anyone, Cardono said. Our aim is to try to convince the owner not to demolish the property and find an alternativeIts your house. You do with it what you want. We just want to save what [historic homes] we have. Once its gone, its gone.

He argued against having a second appeal by noting the six-moth delay is already a reduction from the previous 12-month delay required before demolishing a home listed as historic. Selectman Rick Schubert, who represented the selectmen along with Selectman John Arena on the working group, also asked to do away with the second appeal.

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Town Meeting: Revised Demolition Delay Bylaw approved