Montpelier board approves deconstruction, demolition of historic house at 5 Home Farm Way

The Montpelier Development Review Board voted to approve a request to deconstruct and demolish the historic house and attached barn at 5 Home Farm Way, granting a permit subject to conditions and a completion deadline of Dec. 31, 2025.

The application was presented by Nicole Gratton of Preservation Trust in Vermont, who said the project aims to remove the structure for safety reasons and to support future flood‑resiliency work on the property. “This is a high Greek revival building that we are looking to have deconstructed for many reasons, including safety and flood resiliency,” Gratton said.

Board members and preservation experts told the board that previous repair efforts left the building unstable and that full rehabilitation would be costly. Board member Joe Karen said the application was “extremely detailed” and voiced support for a solution that ends recurring repair efforts. Ben Doyle of Preservation Trust of Vermont said he had worked on the property for years and that after the 2023 flood the estimated cost to rehabilitate the building approaches $4,000,000, making rehabilitation “not economically feasible.” Doyle said the deconstruction is paired with planning for future floodplain restoration on the site.

Preservation Trust representatives described a two‑phase schedule: deconstruction of the above‑ground structure by a salvage contractor (Deconstruction Works) and later demolition/processing of the concrete foundation by a demolition contractor. Gratton said the deconstruction contractor plans to sell salvaged materials from the site and that DigSafe and utility locating have been completed. She said the deconstruction contractor hopes to begin work in late spring or early summer and that foundation work would be finished by October, though the board set a final completion date of Dec. 31, 2025.

The board discussed that the city’s zoning rules do not differentiate between deconstruction and demolition and noted the typical 60‑day demolition timeline; members favored and the motion included an extended schedule to accommodate salvage work. Chair Sharon Allen said the demolition permit here covers only removal of the building and that flood‑restoration work would require separate permitting and is not guaranteed. Gratton confirmed Vermont Emergency Management is funding the deconstruction and the city has submitted a hazard‑mitigation grant application for later floodplain restoration.

State and local floodplain and conservation considerations were raised during public comment and by staff. A Central Vermont floodplain manager (Ned Swanberg, referenced in the record by staff) told the city that most of the parcels are within the floodway and river corridor; a public commenter, Steve Whitaker, disputed whether the house parcel is in the floodway based on maps in the packet. Board members cited the public benefit of potential floodplain restoration as weighing in favor of approval.

The motion, recorded in the meeting materials as: “Motion to grant the request to deconstruct and demolish the historic building known as Number 5 Home Farm Way with attached barn as presented in application number Z-2025-0019,” passed by roll call with members voting in favor. The board’s chair noted that the written decision, once signed, will trigger a 30‑day appeal period and that staff will issue the zoning and river hazard permits when the decision is signed.

Documentation of the building’s history and features was submitted as part of the application; Nicole Gratton said a Historic Resource Documentation Package by Polly Seaton Allen is included in the record. Several preservation speakers asked that salvageable elements be retained for display or reuse; board members suggested including a plaque or preserved element as part of interpretation.

The board’s approval includes the completion deadline of Dec. 31, 2025, and other standard permit conditions discussed on the record. Staff said they will notify applicants when the signed decision and permits are available for pickup, which starts the 30‑day appeal period.