This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
03/04/2021 11:00 PMThe Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) will hold a public hearing over an application that seeks to demolish a historic home located at 151-153 East Main Street on Monday, March 8 at 7 p.m. However, on March 3, the State’s Historic Preservation Council voted to oppose the demolition, which casts doubt on how the PZC will proceed and leaves open the possibility of a lawsuit against the state.
An application from developer Jay Kurup that seeks to build 32 apartments on two parcels off East Main Street generated interest locally because it called for the demolition of a house built in the 1800s and a shed known the Corn Crib.
At a public hearing over the application, held on Feb. 8, an agent for the applicant said following an outcry from the public over the proposed demolition the developer would be meeting with State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to at least explore the possibility of keeping the historic home on the property.
Now, the state is asking that the house be saved from demolition—at least temporarily. On March 3 the State Historic Preservation Council unanimously voted to recommend the State Attorney General’s Office help prevent the demolition of the house.
Todd Levine, a member of SHPO who is familiar with the case, explained to the Harbor News that the council asked the developer for a three-month extension for more investigation to be done on the prudence of saving the house.
There are now three possible next courses of action, as far as SHPO is concerned. The developer can agree to keep the house and incorporate it into the design of the complex; the developer can agree to the extension so that more investigation into the feasibility of preserving the house can be done; or the developer can fight the extension.
If the developer does not agree to the extension, the state can go to court to get an injunction to halt demolition, which is a last resort Levine said would be best for all parties to avoid.
“Nobody wants that. It costs money and it takes time and there’s an option that avoids that right in front of us,” Levine said.
Levine said that the developer have thus far been cooperative with SHPO.
“It’s an ongoing process. The owner is being cooperative and that is always a good sign,” said Levine.
As of press time on March 4, Levine said he has not yet heard from the developer’s team what course of action they are inclined to take.
What the council’s ruling means for the Clinton PZC is unclear at this time since there is more historical review to be done on the site. The commission has a second public hearing for the application set for March 8 at 7 p.m. The first public hearing was continued in part because the PZC was interested to hear what SHPO would have to say in its historical review.
At the continuation of the public hearing, the applicant will likely make another presentation to the PZC about the proposal and shed more light on what it’s thinking of doing. The developer may also respond to questions from the commission members.
The interest surrounding the future of the house started thanks to a petition started by Peggy Adler that implores the PZC to require the house remain on the property as part of a condition of approval. Since the date it was launched the petition received close to 800 signatures and, as Adler has repeatedly pointed out, is not opposed to the development, just the demolition of the old structures. Adler has said she wants to see the house incorporated into the design of the development. A similar proposal on the same property that was approved by the PZC in 2005 and never came to fruition did keep the house on the property.
The Investigation
Levine stated that investigators from the SHPO have already had access to the house but there is still more work that needs to done. Next up is for a contractor, structural engineer, and architect come look at the house to determine an accurate assessment for the cost it will take to make the house serviceable.
At the PZC hearing in February, Keith Ainsworth, an attorney for the developer, warned there may be legitimate concerns about the safety and historic integrity of the house. Ainsworth said there were signs of possible beetle damage; the house is currently missing one original chimney; and it has updates that are more modern such as vinyl sidings and an asphalt roof. Ainsworth did say that the development team had not given up yet on saving the house.
Besides SHPO’s team, Levine said the developers have their own experts that will conduct their own examination into the house.
“My hope is we find a solution without having to go to court,” Levine reiterated to the Harbor News.
As for the Corn Crib, Ainsworth said that building will likely be demolished since it is not in good condition, a position Levine agreed with in an earlier conversation with the Harbor News. In that same PZC meeting, Ainsworth said the developer would be open to moving the Corn Crib to another location if someone was interested.
After it was launched, Adler’s petition attracted significant attention but not all of it was in agreement with her position. Some social media users saw the petition as an attempt to dissuade a developer from doing business in town, while others argued that the signers had no grounds to demand the house be preserved without contributing their own money toward the cause.
Supporters contended that the preservation of the historic house would add New England charm and character to the town, which in their view is worth keeping. Clinton’s historic nature is an aspect that many people list as one of their favorite parts of living in town and one that stirs passion when threatened.
“Once those historic buildings are gone, they’re gone forever,” Levine said in reference to the state’s interest in working to protect historic buildings in a separate interview with the Harbor News.
The Hearing
At the public hearing on the 8th the public will be allowed to speak for, in neutral, or against the proposed development regarding any new information that is presented. A link to the meeting will be posted in the agenda of the PZC meeting on the town website clintonct.org.
If the commission it has received enough information it may vote to close the public hearing or it may continue the hearing again to a later date. Once a public hearing is closed, the application is eligible for decision.