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Tiverton administrator says Lafayette House demolition permit issued; council vows policy review
Summary
The interim town administrator reported that a demolition permit for the historic Lafayette House was issued to the owner in October after a 90-day ordinance period; the administrator apologized for the town’s failure to preserve the structure and recommended reviewing the historic-preservation ordinance.
The interim town administrator told the Town Council on Monday that a demolition permit for the structure known as the Lafayette House (3118 Main Road) was issued Oct. 21 and that the town’s historic-preservation ordinance requires a 90-day waiting period from the application date before demolition permits are issued.
Why it matters: Council members and residents raised concerns the town missed a chance to preserve or salvage historic materials. The administrator said town staff did not interpose a legal block and acknowledged the town’s enforcement and internal notice procedures failed in this case.
Administrator’s account and next steps: The administrator said the permit application and demolition permit were properly filed and that the ordinance language — "No permit for demolition of a historic building, structure or site shall be issued until 90 days has expired from the date of the application" — was not leveraged to preserve the property. He said some building materials from the site were sold and that staff will consult the Historic Preservation Advisory Board and consider ordinance revisions and better internal procedures to protect historic resources going forward.
No formal action was taken Monday. Councilors directed staff to meet with the Historic Preservation Advisory Board and to return with recommended changes to the ordinance and procedures.
