Historic 10 New Wells Street cleared for demolition after divided HDC vote

The Nantucket Historic District Commission voted 3–2 Tuesday to approve an application to demolish the building at 10 New Wells Street, reversing an earlier failed motion and prompting questions about preservation review standards.

The commission’s approval followed renewed discussion after an architectural conservator, Glenn Vornasian, submitted a written opinion the day before the meeting saying the structure could be stabilized and restored. Commissioners and members of the public debated the credibility and timeliness of that new material before the commission voted to permit demolition.

The commission’s decision came after the body first voted at a prior meeting to deny the demolition application, a result that lacked a majority and led to a motion to reconsider. The motion to reconsider passed unanimously at the June 17 meeting, and the commission then debated whether the hearing should be continued to allow more review of Vornasian’s letter or whether the application should be decided.

Applicant’s agent Arthur (identified in the record as the…