BAR approves demolition of deteriorated outbuildings at 501 West Main

The Board of Architectural Review on Tuesday approved a demolition permit for two deteriorated outbuildings behind 501 West Main (CDA 2602), finding the structures structurally unsound and not reasonably salvageable.

Staff member Sullivan summarized the background survey and structural findings, noting the property appears in a county historical survey (Department of Historical Resources record cited on the transcript as DHR ID 0183) and that the 1.5-story garage is estimated to date to about 1920. Sullivan told the board the structural engineer concluded the buildings would effectively need to be rebuilt from their foundations to be preserved. "The garage is estimated to have been constructed in 1920," Sullivan said on the record.

Steve Simons of Veritas Contracting, who represented the applicant on-site, told the board crews have started clearing the property and that the damage is extensive. "Unfortunately, our our our goal first and foremost is always to try to salvage buildings whenever possible. These unfortunately have suffered from years of neglect. The roofs are gone on them, which has caused all kinds of structural damages inside the buildings," Simons said. He added crews had removed material from the site: "We've taken 10 dumpster loads out of that property so far."

Board members pressed staff on the recordkeeping: Sullivan said the engineer's written report was not attached to the agenda packet due to a technical omission and that the report would be made available. After discussion the chair moved to approve CDA 2602 "without conditions, basically as submitted," and the motion passed on voice vote. The record does not show a roll-call tally in the transcript.

The approval allows the applicant to pursue a demolition permit; staff said the town will follow normal permitting and disclosure procedures for demolition of structures that had been identified as historically contributing.