HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-22-2015 Demolition DelayMichael J. Driscoll
Town Manager
TOWN OF
WATERTOWN
Office of the Town Manager
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone:617-972-6465
www.watertown-ma.gov
townmgrCawate r town -ma. gov
To: Honorable Town Council `~
From: Michael J. Driscoll, Town Manager
Date: September 17, 2015
RE: Proposed Changes to Current Demolition Delay Ordinance
Attached please find correspondence regarding the subject from Steven Magoon, Director of
Community Development and Planning/Assistant Town Manager and Christopher J. Hayward,
Preservation Agent on behalf of the Historical Commission.
I will bring this up under Communications from the Town Manager at the September 22, 2015
Town Council Meeting and respectfully request the matter be referred to Committee for further
review and consideration.
cc: Steven Magoon, Director of Community Development and Planning/Assistant Town Manager
Christopher J. Hayward, Preservation Agent
Town of Watertown
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, Massachusetts 02472
Historical Commission
(617) 972-6426 . Fax: (617) 972.6484
Christopher J. Hayward, h4CA SusanC. Jeaness '
Tree Warden Clerk
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TO, Michael Driscoll, Town Manager
THRUI Steve Magoon, Assistant Town Manager, Community Development and Planning
Director
FRONI: Christopher J. Hayward, Preservation Agent
RE,: Proposed changes to current Demolition Delay ordinance
DAT1 : September 15, 2015
At the September 10, 2015 historical Commission (I IC) meeting, the HC took up discussion of editing of
the current language of the Demolition Delay ordinance. Redevelopment of properties, small and large,
has been on the increase over the last few years in Watertown. The HC is concerned that when
redevelopment is being proposed, preservation and renovation is not being considered. The biggest
concerns lie with the razing of single family houses that are is perfectly fine condition. The proposed
language below reemphasizes what the HC is trying to accomplish per its charge of historic preservation
while adding a longer Period of time in which important negotiations and decisions can be made.
If you would, please fol-ward this to the Town Council for their review.
Thank you.
PROPOSED
Section 1. Intent and Purpose:
'Phis ordinance is enacted for the purpose of preserving and protecting significant buildings, streetscaues
and neiehborhoods within the City known as the Town of Watertown, herein after known as the Town,
which constitute or reflect distinctive features of the architectural cultaral economic, political or social
history of the town and to limit the detrimental effect of demolition on the character of the town Through
of demolition permits is regulated as provided by this ordinance.
PROPOSED
Section 3.5
Upon a determination by the Commission that the significant building which is the subject of the
application for a demolition Permit is a preferably -preserved significant building, the Commission shall,
within thirty days of the hearing, so advise the applicant and the Inspector of Buildings by written notice,
and no demolition permit may be issued unt+l at toast tivelye {42}-njenihs afier the date of sueh
detemina ien- by -the ConrntWon: for a period of 2q mouths frwn the dato of the determination, unless
otherwise agreed to by (lie Commission.