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Commission conditions demolition of 110 Highland Ave on HABS‑level documentation, deposit to town archives and ZBA earth‑removal permit
Summary
Developers received commission approval to demolish 110 Highland Ave in a planned 20‑unit subdivision after agreeing to produce HABS‑level documentation and deposit records with the Concord Free Public Library; approval was made conditional on issuance of an earth‑removal permit by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) as required by a court order.
The Concord Historical Commission on April 3 voted to allow demolition of the house at 110 Highland Ave, imposing conditions that the developer produce high‑quality archival documentation and deposit research and photographs with the Concord Free Public Library. The commission also made the action conditional on the Zoning Board of Appeals issuing the earth‑removal permit required by a court order.
Jeff Bruno, representing the development team, said the two houses on the site are in conflict with the approved subdivision grading and that the project has been the subject of litigation. “The land underneath and around the two buildings are being purchased by us for a residential subdivision,” Bruno told the commission, describing earth removal and grading that will substantially alter the existing topography. He said the developer expects to begin work in the summer and invited the commission to specify documentation requirements.
Attorney Brad Latham, speaking for the applicants, told the commission the court has ordered the ZBA to issue the earth‑removal permit and that postponing demolition would not change the approved plan; Latham said the conditions could include research and archival deposit. The developer agreed to prepare a HABS‑level (Historic American Buildings Survey) Level I documentation package, provide photographs and plans, and deposit materials in the Concord Free Public Library’s special collections.
Commissioners also discussed historic narratives connected to the property, including a long‑circulated local claim that a childhood home of Rose Kennedy (described in some local accounts) is associated with one of the houses; the developer said it would research the claim and include findings in the documentation. The site is part of a court‑approved subdivision that will create 20 new dwelling units; the earth removal is intended to meet zoning and lot grading standards imposed by the town and by the court order.
Because the court directed the ZBA to issue the permit with conditions limited to reasonable terms for earth removal, the commission limited its requirement to archival documentation and public deposit rather than seeking to require retention of the structures or major plan changes.
