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Home My WebLink About29 Scallop Rd YHC Meeting MInutes Site Visit 3.31.2016I■ TOWN OF YARMOUTH o i� 1146 ROUTE 28, SOUTH YARMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS 02664-4451 Telephone (508) 398-2231 Ext. 1292 — Fax (508) 398-0836 YARMOUTH HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES x oaf Meeting Date: March 31, 2015 Meeting Time: 2:0 0 pm Meeting Place: Hearing Room, Yarmouth Town Hall, 1146 Route 28 South Yarmouth, MA Commission Members Present: Chair: Julie Mockabee; Members: Fred Fries, Sarah Horne and Janice Norris. Commission Members Absent: Members: Gina Lombardi and Duncan Oliver; Associate: CJ Penna Staff Present: Karen Greene, Director of Community Development; Beth Vozella, YHC Office Admin. Guests Present: Jack Scott and David Crosbie from Hanlon Homes LLC (Owner's Agents); Sarah Korjeff, Cape Cod Commission; Michelle Clarke, Chatham Historic Commission With a Quorum present, Chairman Julie Mockabee called the meeting to order at 2:00 pm. ACTION ITEMS: Site Visit at 29 Scallop Rd. At 1:00pm on March 31, 2015, Commission members: Julie Mockabee, Fred Fries, Sarah Horne and Janice Norris; Yarmouth staff. Karen Greene, Director of Community Development; Mark Grylls, Building Commissioner and Beth Vozella, YHC Office Administrator; Owner's representatives: Jack Scott and David Crosbie from Hanlon Homes LLC, met on -site at 29 Scallop Road to tour the buildings being proposed for demolition. Following the site visit, a meeting took place at the Town Hall hearing room. Ms. Greene explained that the first step to be taken, once the Demolition Permit is applied for, is for the Yarmouth Historic Commission to determine whether or not the building is a "Significant Building or Structure" which is defined as: A. Is associated with one or more historic persons or events contributing to the cultural, political, economic or social history of the Town or the commonwealth; or B. Is historically or architecturally important (in terms of period, style, method of construction, or association with a famous architect or builder), either by itself or in the context of a group of buildings or structures. Ms. Mockabee stated that based on the documented history of the home she feels that it is a very historic and very significant structure despite its present condition. Though no official vote has yet taken place, no one present opposed this assessment. Mr. Scott added that he read all of the documentation, which was very interesting and agreed that there is a lot of history in the home. The owner's representatives, Jack Scott and David Crosbie from Hanlon Homes LLC, explained to the all those present, that they were hired by the current owner of this property to prepare the land to be sold as a buildable lot. This process would require, in part, the demolition or removal of the structures on the property. Mr. Scott and Mr. Crosbie are aware of the possible historical significance of the original portion of one of the structures (herein referred to as the "main house") and that once the application for a demolition permit is submitted; it would trigger the Yarmouth Demolition Delay process to begin. The following alternatives to a complete demolition were then discussed: 1. Move main house to a new location. ,; _A= Mr. Crosbie pointed out the various issues with the logistics of actually moving this structure. Since it can't be trucked down the streets, it would have to go by water, which then would require the new destination be able to accommodate its arrival and placement. Also, that the cost of the equipment alone that would be required to move the structure would be quite exorbitant. Ms. Korjeff explained that there have been situations when the seller was having difficulty finding someone to pick up and move a historic building, where the seller was willing to donate the amount that they would have spent in demolition costs towards the relocation and renovation of the building. in a situation where the seller is willing to consider this sort of thing, some towns have advertised in local newspapers, preservation magazines and websites that there is a (year) building available in (goad/fair/poor) condition for the cost of ($) and the seller would give ($) to the buyer if they are willing to move it and preserve it on the new site. Ms. Korjeff added that Yarmouth's 6(six) month demo delay seems like it could be enough time to advertise and for a potential buyer to look into how to move the building and to apply for the appropriate permits. In situations where this was an option, some Historic Commissions, during the demo delay period, would ask the owner/seller to work with them to advertise the property's availability. The question was raised that in a situation like this, who would be responsible for the advertising, the Historical Commission or the property owner. Ms. Korjeff said that generally it would be a partnership with both parties working together. Mr. Scott asked hypothetically, if they were to go in this direction, would there be an agreement with the owner and the town's Historical Commission to advertise this property for a certain length of time? Ms. Greene agreed that such an agreement would make sense and confirmed that the tirneframe would be during the demo delay period. Ms. Greene also suggested that it might make sense for Yarmouth to help type up and place the ads, but direct people to Hanlon Homes in case they want to come see' it or have any questions about the property. Ms. Korjeff suggested the following advertising: • First, advertise in the local newspapers and the Cape Cod Times to get people around town talking. • Second, list with the National Trust for Historic Preservation which has an online magazine that lists historic properties that are for sale. • Also, list on the Mass Historic i_istsery which reaches all of New England. Primarily anyone interested in historic preservation has access to this listing. Include a photo and a little information about the history of the building with a link or more information for anyone who is seriously interested. Ms. Greene asked Ms. Clarke if she thought that Chatham would be interested in taking the house. Ms. Clarke said that the CHC had not yet discussed it openly, but it may be worth investigating. She is going to share the information provided by YHC with the CHC including the rough estimate of at least $375K to move and restore the building which does not included the cost of the land to put it on. 2. Split the main home into sections to donate or sell in smaller pieces. Mr. Crosbie asked, at this point in time, if any towns might be interested in taking pieces of the house if moving it was no longer an option. Ms. Korjeff stated that that would be the right of the Historical Commission to set the chronological order of the process. First preference would be to move the main home intact to a new location, but if that weren't possible and the delay period was near expiration then the YHC could preserve their right to identify certain pieces of the house that they thought would be appropriate to preserve (see option 4 below). Ms. Korjeff added that given the fact that there are not many 1720's houses left that are intact as this house is, there are buyers out there in New England such as museum complexes like Old Sturbridge Village, or in Portsmouth, NH or on the Cape that are looking for either an entire building or a room from this time period. With this option, the Historic Commission would encourage the owner(s) to explore the concept of advertising the main house as a whole or in parts to see if there are any takers prior to moving forward with the demolition delay process. 3. Partial Demolition: leave the main house on the property; demo the additions and outbuildings. If a demolition permit was submitted specifically for the additions and out buildings leaving the main house intact: Under the assumption that the structures being proposed for demolition are not significant: Once the demolition permit application is received by the Historic Commission, they must within 10 (ten) days, notify the Building Commissioner of their determination that the structures are not significant which would allow the demolition permitting process to move forward. Also discussed was the possibility of moving the main house to another part of the property to be advertised as a possible guest house. This option could also result in a great selling point to be able to say build your new dream house and own a piece of history. Also, there may be a tax benefit to the owner if the town were to put a preservation restriction on the main house to preserve the exterior of the home. 4. If full demolition is the only option. Prior to the actual demolition, the town would have the option to designate certain pieces for preservation to be used or displayed around the town with a plaque telling the story from where it came. (e.g. the fireplace, windows, doors, mill stone) Mr. Scott also stated that they would salvage as much of the home as possible prior to the actual demo. ADJOURNMENT: Ms. Mockabee was unexpectedly called out of the meeting at 3:00 at which time the meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Bea.vay&k Beth Vozella, Office Administrator r.'.i Meeting Materials: Attendance Sheet, Reference Materials , �_ 1_ A,.1t3: 5