HomeMy Public PortalAbout2015-11-24 EDP Committee ReportMEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and PLANNING
Meeting: November 17, 2015, 7 PM
Report: November 24, 2015
Attending were: Economic Development Committee members Stephen P. Corbett, Chair, Vincent
Piccirilli, Vice Chair, and Susan Falkoff, Secretary, Planning Director Steven Magoon; Historic
Commission members and residents. The sign -in sheet is attached.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss extending the Demolition Delay to 24 months and to
broaden the language of the ordinance to offer greater protection to streetscapes and
neighborhoods.
Mr. Magoon began the meeting by explaining that, while the Historic Commission has always
been restrained in applying the delay, increasing its length could make it more effective.
Commission Chair David Russo said that the Commission wanted to make the language more
compatible with the goals in the Comprehensive Plan. He explained that even when the
Commission deems that a building has historic value, it may not vote for a delay if the building is
dilapidated. On the other hand, a building that has "nothing wrong with it" but no historic
significance, is not eligible for a delay. The standard is high. He read a letter from a developer,
advising a resident that he owns a single family home in a two-family neighborhood and the
developer may be able to help the resident maximize his investment. Watertown is "hot" and
developers are "mining" the town for opportunities.
Councilor Corbett is concerned that broadening the ordinance language makes the Historic
Commission into a de facto Planning Board and a role he does not feel is appropriate. He also cited
statistics showing that the delay is rarely imposed, so he doesn't know why a longer delay is needed.
Local developers Leonard Holt and John Cimino concur that the commission is fair in its
decisions but suggested leaving things as they are; "it's working." Curtis Whitney thinks that the
commission is seeking "too much control over other peoples' property."
Commissioner JJ Jones said the "integrity of the neighborhoods" is what's at stake.
Councilor Piccirilli said he would like to see more data on how the delay has actually been used,
where the Commission feels it has been effective and where it has been insufficient. He also
pointed to inconsistencies between the proposed language and the current ordinance.
Councilor Falkoff wants the Commission to have good tools but feels it had failed to make a case
for why extending the delay would improve outcomes. She made a motion that this Hearing be
continued to allow the Commission an opportunity to document why this change is needed and
also clarify the proposed ordinance language so that the mention of streetscapes in section 153.1
is consistent with the demolition delay criteria in 153.2.
The motion was passed unanimously and the committee will re -convene on December 15.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Falkoff, Secretary
Michael 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
towningr@watertown-ma.gov
To: Honorable Town Council
From: Michael J. Driscoll, Town Manage
Date: September 17, 2015
RE: Proposed Changes to CutTent 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, MCA Susan C. Jenness
Tree Warden Clerk
chavward(rhwaterlown-nla.aov sicnness r?4waterlown-ma.go j
TO: Michael Driscoll, Town Manager
THRU: Steve Magoon, Assistant Town Manager, Community Development and Planning
Director
FROM: Christopher J. Hayward, Preservation Agent
RE: Proposed changes to current Demolition Delay ordinance
DATE: 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 in 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 forward this to the Town Council for their review.
Thank you.
PROPOSED
Section 1. intent and Purpose:
This ordinance is enacted for the purpose of preserving and protecting significant buildings, streetscapes
and neighborhoods within the City known as the Town of Watertown, herein after known as the Town,
which are -outside -designated leeat-Historic Distriets-and-to-eneetnage-owners of sueh-buildings-to-seek
out person who might be willing -to purchase, preserverrehahilitete errestore sueh-buildings-ratberthan
demolish -them. To achieve these-iarpeseS-tite-Watertown Historical Commission (the-Eemmissie "
empowered to ad -vise the -Inspector -of -Buildings with -respect -to the issuance of permits -for demotion of
significant buildings. The issuance of demelit-ien--permits -fo sign-tennt buildings is regulated as
provided in this -ordinance,
which constitute or reflect distinctive features of the architectural, cultural, economic, political or social
history of the town and to limit the detrimental effect of demolition on the character of the town. Through
this ordinance, owners of preferably presented buildings are encouraged to seek out alternative options
that will preserve, rehabilitate or restore such buildings and residents of the town are alerted to impending
demolitions of significant buildings. By preserving and protecting significant buildings, streetsca >es and
neighborhoods, this ordinance promotes the public welfare by maintaining the town's character and
desirability as a place in which to live and work. To achieve these purposes the Historical Commission is
authorized to advise the Building Inspector with respect to demolition permit applications. The issuance
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 until at least -twelve (12) months -after the -date of sueh
determination -by -the Commission. for a period of 24 months from the date of the determination, unless
otherwise agreed to by the Commission.