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Historic house at 3 Sherburne Way demolished; Nantucket HDC holds application pending town-council definition of "demolition"
Summary
Staff told the Historic District Commission that a building approved in 2023 as an addition has been completely demolished; commissioners voted to hold the reconstruction application while Town Counsel defines "demolition" and the applicant provides an energy rater27s projection and clearer replication drawings.
Chair called a halt to formal approvals after staff reported that a structure the commission had earlier reviewed was, in fact, gone.
Holly, the commission27s preservation planner, told the panel that the application approved in 2023 described an addition and renovation to a contributing circa-1938 Cape. "The application that was approved in 2023 was an addition to a contributing structure," Holly said. "It was not proposed as selective dismantle; the building has been completely demolished."
Commissioners raised immediate questions about process and enforcement. Kathy from staff said a violation letter was issued after an inspection and that the applicant has submitted revised materials and fees. "It was a complaint in the office, and I went out and conducted an inspection, and the house was gone," Kathy said.
Members pressed the applicant27s representative for clarity about what was being proposed to replace the demolished building and whether the new construction could be built to match the previously approved exterior while complying with current codes. Commissioner Ray Poll suggested the commission needed documentation that the approved exterior could be reconstructed without running afoul of energy or building-code requirements.
Commissioners also said they needed a formal legal definition of "demolition" that Town Counsel would stand behind. Chair explained the commission would request a town-council-level definition because past local practice and the HDC27s working definition were not adequate for the legal and procedural choices before the board.
The commission voted to hold the application. The motion, made by Commissioner Poll and seconded by Commissioner Val, directed staff to (1) request from Town Counsel a definitive demolition definition, (2) require a projected energy rating from a HERS rater that shows the approved exterior can be achieved while meeting code, and (3) submit clarified drawings that delineate existing vs. proposed fabric and any accessory energy equipment. The motion passed unanimously.
What happens next: staff said it will file the request with Town Counsel and follow up about an estimated response time; the commission agreed not to proceed until it receives the definition and the requested technical documentation. The applicant27s team was told to expect a detailed list of needed submissions and to plan for at least one more hearing once materials are provided.
