DRC hears demolition request for 119 Church Street; staff and commissioners say building likely beyond feasible repair

The owner and contractor of 119 Church Street requested permission to demolish a circa 1920s timber frame dwelling that the National Register survey lists as non‑contributing. The applicant said the property suffered significant structural damage from a fallen tree and prolonged exposure and provided contractor cost estimates and structural commentary. Historic preservation staff member Emily reviewed the regulatory standard: demolition in the historic district is permitted only in extraordinary circumstances — for example when a building has lost integrity, rehabilitation creates an unreasonable economic hardship, or an engineer documents structural instability demonstrating rehabilitation is infeasible. Emily noted the property appears on the 1928 Sanborn map, that aluminum siding covers earlier wood siding, and that removability of later siding is a factor in assessing whether the building retains integrity. She asked the commission to consider whether the building is locally historic despite the National Register listing as non‑contributing. Commissioners reviewed the submitted structural documentation and photographs and said the house has been severely compromised. Commissioner Brian said the limb damage and extended exposure made the house effectively irreparable for historic purposes and that forcing full rehabilitation would amount to building a new reproduction rather than preserving original fabric. Commissioners advised the applicant to include third‑party contractor or estimator affidavits in the demolition packet to substantiate cost estimates and to preserve photographic records; staff said that if demolition is approved, any future new construction should respond to the historical pattern of residences on the block. Why it matters: Demolition within an historic district raises preservation standards and is rare; the DRC’s recommendation affects whether the Historic Zoning Commission will allow demolition or require preservation options. Next steps: Applicant to submit any additional contractor estimates and photographic documentation; Historic Zoning Commission will consider the demolition request with the evidentiary record.