The delay would give historians time to document, photograph and possibly move any historic structure before they meet the wrecking ball.
“The ordinance is something we need because too many historic buildings are disappearing overnight,” O’Keefe said.
In Derby, residents where surprised when a 330-year-old house on Academy Hill Road was leveled in January.
Nicknamed “Brownie’s Castle,” it was unofficially considered a local landmark. But it was privately owned, and the owners decided it had to go.
The before and after photos of the Derby property are at the top of this story.
And five years ago in Seymour, a local businessman leveled a 254-year-old house to make way for a tavern. Local historians were not happy, and suggested back then Seymour officials do something.
Seymour officials said they’d look into an ordinance back then, but the discussion did not continue.
The before and after photos of the Smith-Tomlinson House, formerly at the corner of Route 34 and Route 188 in Seymour, are posted below.
But the issue was raised again at a Board of Selectmen meeting July 5.
The Ordinance
O’Keefe presented Seymour Selectmen with a model demolition delay ordinance created by The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation.
Here are some key points:
- A “Historic Review Committee” would review applications for building permits.
- If the structure is at least 50 years old and has documents connected with a historic event, person or an architectural significance, the Historic Review Committee or other designated body will hold a public hearing about the property.
- The historic review committee would then decide whether to delay demolition for 180 days.
- During the delay, the model ordinance directs that owners of such properties “shall pursue and give due consideration to all possible alternatives to demolition, including preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, relocation, or detailed recordation of the affected building or structure.”
- If there are no “viable alternatives to demolition” for the property, the building official can issue a demolition permit.
Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller talked about the issue with the Valley Indy. Click play below to listen to the interview.
Miller said the Selectmen asked their lawyer to research the ordinance O’Keefe presented. The town is also looking at an ordinance Milford uses.
Part of the research — what’s considered historic?
“We’re still in the research phase,” Miller said. “We’re trying to put ordinances that make sense, that will protect the character and history of the town but not stop progress.”
Miller said the town will proceed cautiously. A proposed law could be ready for review in the spring.
