Members approve demolition of rear addition at 521 South High Street

At the meeting, members approved a motion to demolish the rear portion of the residence at 521 South High Street, authorizing removal of all features west of the chimney after members described the addition as structurally unsound.

The applicant, later identified in discussion as Mr. O'Brien, asked that “everything past the original foundation” be removed and said the rear elements are not part of the original structure. The applicant initially stated the property address as 522 South High Street; the presiding member corrected that to 521 South High Street during the meeting.

Chuck, who toured the property, told the body the rear addition is “in really bad state of repair,” saying parts of it sit on grade rather than a foundation and have settled over time. He and other members described construction details indicating the rear and a small side unit were later attachments and are not compatible with the original limestone foundation. Cassie said she did not oppose demolition and added, “it actually needs to come down or it's going to come down on its own.”

Following discussion, member Weeden Heft moved to approve demolition of the rear portion “from behind the chimney west; all features of the house can be demolished,” a motion seconded by Chuck. The motion carried on a recorded roll call vote; the members recorded as voting in favor were Cassie, Cara, Doyle, Horton and Brown, and the chair declared the motion carried.

The meeting then closed the public hearing portion and adjourned. Members and staff offered the applicant practical well-wishes for carrying out the work; no additional conditions or follow-up tasks were recorded in the meeting transcript.