Demolition Review Ordinance Existing Law & Proposed Changes - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Demolition Review Ordinance

Existing Law & Proposed Changes

Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development March 30, 2017

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

Demolition Review Ordinance Tonight’s Topics

• 1. What is the demolition review ordinance & why do we have it?
• 2. How does the ordinance currently work?
• 3. Why revise the current ordinance?
• 4. What are the key changes proposed?
• 5. Comments & questions.

Demolition Review Ordinance

• 1. What is the demolition review ordinance & why do we have it?

Preserve and protect significant buildings

The purpose of this ordinance is to preserve and protect significant buildings within the City of Somerville…by providing advance notice of their proposed demolition, which constitute or reflect distinctive features of the architectural, cultural, political, economic, or social history of the City, and which are outside the designated historic district; to encourage

• wners of such preferably

preserved significant buildings and members of the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission…to seek out persons willing to purchase and to preserve, rehabilitate,

• r restore such buildings,

rather than demolish them; and to promote the public welfare by making the City a more attractive place in which to live…

Demolition Review Ordinance

• 2. How does the ordinance currently work? (Historically Significant)

Trigger: demolition permit application submitted to the Building Inspector

• 1. Is the structure “Historically Significant”? (public meeting)

Listed on National Register of Historic Places or pending an application for listing?

• r

If the building is at least 50 years old, is it:

• i. importantly associated with historic persons, events or the

broad architectural, cultural, political, economic, or social history of the City or state;

• ii. historically or architecturally significant (period, style,

construction method, architect/builder)

If “no”, the property can be released for demolition. If “yes”, the property is reviewed at a subsequent meeting to determine if it is “preferably preserved.”

Demolition Review Ordinance

• 2. How does the ordinance currently work? (Preferably Preserved)

If the property has been determined to be historically significant, the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) moves to Step 2 in a subsequent meeting.

• 2. Should the structure be “Preferably Preserved”? (public hearing)

if any of the criterion in Step 1 apply, the HPC determines the structure to be “preferably preserved” and imposes a 9-month demolition delay period.

Demolition Review Ordinance

• 2. How does the ordinance currently work? (Demo Delay)

During the 9-month demolition delay period, the Applicant works with Preservation Staff and some members of the HPC to find alternatives to demolition or work out a design for a replacement structure.

Demolition Review Ordinance

• 3. Why revise the current ordinance?
• Not structured to serve its intent
• Clarify wording
• Add / expand definitions
• Lengthen the demolition delay period
• Align with SomerVision and new zoning

Demolition Review Ordinance

• 4. What are the key changes proposed?
• Updated definition of demolition.
• Expanded triggers for demolition review.
• Requirements for historic structural engineer reports.
• Ability to request financial information when demolition is

submitted on financial grounds.

• Add findings for HPC to make determinations of preferably

preserved and to allow for early release from demo period.

• Extended delay period to allow for better project outcomes.
• Clearer requirements for Applicants and City during the delay

period.

Demolition Review Ordinance

Comments and questions?