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Arts commission raises concern over threatened Coffin's Court barn, plans to draft demolition-policy recommendation
Summary
A commissioner reported a historic barn on Coffin's Court is slated for demolition after a zoning variance; the commission agreed to have its education and advocacy workgroup examine demolition-delay policy options and potential updates to the demolition-review committee.
A commissioner told the Arts & Culture Commission that a historic barn on Coffin's Court is slated for demolition after a developer obtained a variance at the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Members said existing demolition-review procedures outside the historic district offer limited ability to block demolition and discussed pursuing a demolition-delay policy or strengthening the demo review committee.
Why it matters: commissioners said the species of demolition at issue highlights gaps in the city's preservation tools outside designated historic districts. They noted the existing demolition-review process provides only limited review, and that other jurisdictions use demolition delays to allow time to find alternate uses or funding for adaptive reuse.
Next steps: the education and advocacy workgroup will take the item up, consult with preservation advocates and report back to the commission with draft language for a policy statement the commission could forward to council or relevant boards. Members emphasized they will workshop a proposal before issuing a public statement.
No formal vote was taken; commissioners asked staff to pursue background research and to bring the item back through the workgroup.
