Concord HDC approves demolition, reconstruction at 59 Walden Street

The Concord Historic Districts Commission on Oct. 4 voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the certificate of appropriateness for 59 Walden Street that authorizes demolition of failing exterior block walls and reconstruction to match the building’s proposed appearance.

Vice Chair Kate Chartner opened the special online meeting and called the single continuance for consideration. Mark Lionetta, owner of Nagog Construction Management, told the Commission that demolition work begun around Aug. 19 revealed rubble-masonry exterior block walls that a structural engineer determined could not be made sound in an efficient, economical way. “We remove the block walls down to the foundation and then recreate those walls in a conventional 2 by 6 wood framed structure,” Lionetta said, adding the rebuilt exterior would be finished with cedar siding painted white and black windows to match the approved design.

The change the contractor proposed is structural rather than visual: Lionetta said the intent is for the finished building to be indistinguishable from the previously approved design, and that the work would improve insulation and eliminate the existing structure’s stability risks.

Town staff member Anne Clifford told the Commission the historic districts act requires the HDC to review demolitions within the district before a building commissioner may sign off on a demolition permit. “The HDC must review demolition whether or not it's visible from a public way, street, or place,” Clifford said, explaining why the item could not be handled administratively even though the alteration has no apparent visual impact from the street.

Associate member Kristen Dahlman, a historic preservation professional, noted that the Historical Preservation Act subjects buildings older than 50 years to demolition consideration; she said the former bank’s historic integrity appeared limited given its original use and past alterations.

Commissioners offered little resistance. Commissioner Timothy Whitney asked whether the matter might have been handled administratively because the change is behind the exterior skin; Clifford reiterated the statutory requirement for HDC review of demolitions. Commissioner Bill Hewitt moved to approve the amendment “as proposed for 59 Walden Street, and the associated demolition”; Commissioner Louis Caldarella seconded the motion and the roll-call vote was 5–0 in favor (Melinda Shumway, Louis Caldarella, Bill Hewitt, Timothy Whitney and Vice Chair Kate Chartner voted aye). Chair Chartner announced, “So the motion passes for the amendment to 59 Walden Street.”

An unidentified representative for the applicant thanked the Commission for convening the special meeting so construction could continue. The Commission adjourned after the vote.

Implementation steps, permit issuance and any building-department approvals were not specified during the meeting.