Public Hearing Minutes
Purpose: To hold a public hearing for the review of the application of John and Kathleen McLaughlin for the demolition of structures located at 130 King Caesar Road and identified on the Assessor's Map as Parcel # 180-095-004.
Date: November 16, 2004
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Mural Room, Town Hall
Present: Nicky Kispert, Norman Tucker, Nancy Bennett, Anne Hill, Barbara Kiley and Lee Willis.
Call to Order: At 7:05 PM the Chair called the meeting to order at which time she introduced the members of the Commission. In addition, she introduced Richard MacDonald, Director of Inspectional Services.
For the benefit of those attending, the purpose of the hearing (described above) was stated and the Commission's procedures for conducting Public Hearings were described. After reading of the "public notice" by the Chair, Norman Tucker shared the specifics of the By-Law, 609, governing the demolition of historically significant buildings. Handouts of relevant documents were made available to attendees. At the Chair's request, Nancy Bennett shared the Commission's findings relative to the demolition application. The findings were as follows:
The Commission received the application for demolition of the structures
located at 130 King Caesar Road on September 16, 2004. As a result of the
Commission's review of the application for demolition, and analysis of the
structures during two site visits, the Commission classified the structures
as regulated buildings that meet the criteria of Section 609.2 of the By-Law.
Based upon the architectural details we viewed in our visits, the structures
probably date back to 1886 or earlier. Through our review of the deeds included
with the demolition application, we ascertained that a site plan existed for the
property when it passed from the Weston Estate to Frederick Knapp in 1886.
Since this plan was not part of the original packet submitted for the Commission's
review, we went to the Registry of Deeds and secured that site plan. This site
plan clearly shows a number on structures located behind the King Caesar House
barn. We are uncertain whether these structures are situated exactly where they
initially located, but they appear to be in the general vicinity. In 1953, the parcel
on which the buildings proposed for demolition are now located was subdivided
from the King Caesar property. The next step as explained in the By-Law was to
hold a public hearing on the proposed demolition, which is why we are all here.
At this point, Mr. McLaughlin was asked if he would like to address the Commission and members of the community. He had no comments at this time.
Nancy Bennett then asked Mr. McLaughlin if there were any reasons the existing structures cannot be incorporated into the new plan. Mr. McLaughlin stated that this was not feasible as the structures do not fit in with their plan, citing their age and condition.
Nancy Bennett raised the issue of moving one or both of the structures. Nancy indicated that there was a flurry of interest initially but had no one had brought it up recently. Mr. McLaughlin asked Nancy to clarify whether she was talking about both structures and just the "pig pen?" Nancy stated that we were talking about both structures. Nancy indicated even though the pig pen (also referred to as the chicken coop) sits on a cement block foundation, it is obvious that the structures are considerably older. She stated that even though we cannot prove that the structures have always been in the exact location on the property, we do have an official plan of the property, dated September 1886, showing two (2) buildings positioned in basically the same manner and area of the property as today.
Mr. McLaughlin then asked if saving [moving] one of the structures would stop the delay on the demolition. The Chair responded that no delay exists at this point. Nancy Bennett asked Mr. McLaughlin if he would agree to relocate the structures at someone else's expense. He responded that he would "entertain it."
The Chair then opened the floor for comment. Robert Vose of 233 Powder Point Avenue stated that an addition to his c.1805 barn had been moved from the King Caesar Wharf,
and he would be interested in possibly moving the "chicken coop" to his property.
Next, the Chair opened the floor for both those in favor and against the demolition, stating that all comments should be brief and should address those issues that are within the Commission's jurisdiction. No one spoke in favor of the demolition. However, speaking in opposition to the demolition, Mr. Robert Vose stated he could not see bull dozing such properties. He would prefer, even if you had to dismantle such structures and move them piece by piece, to see such structures saved by relocating them. Mr. Vose cited an example of old home that was successfully moved to the property next to his.
As no other comments were received, the floor was closed. The Chair thanked those attending and reminded everyone that in accordance with the By-Law, the Commission is not permitted to make a decision regarding the demolition at 130 King Caesar Road for a minimum of 10 business days.
Barbara Kiley moved that the hearing be closed. The motion was seconded by Anne Hill. As the motioned passed, the hearing was adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM.
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