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York HDC declines to delay demolition at 27 Ocean Avenue Extension
Summary
After hearing from an abutter and the owner, the commission determined a 27 Ocean Avenue Extension building is too deteriorated and not sufficiently significant to block demolition; the owner said he has a co-owner letter required by code enforcement and the panel will notify the code office.
The York Historic District Commission voted unanimously to decline delaying demolition of a building at 27 Ocean Avenue Extension, concluding the structure lacks the historical or architectural significance required under section 12.17 of the town zoning ordinance.
Owner Jerry Beak told the commission he plans to tear down the entire building and replace it with two similar units; he said the structure is in “very, very major disrepair,” describing problems including collapsed floors, mold, a failed foundation and knob-and-tube wiring. An abutter, Walter Thiebaud, asked about the availability of application materials online; commissioners acknowledged access difficulties with the town’s OpenGov portal and said they would work with the code office to improve public access to attachments.
Beak said he had a letter from the co-owner (the condo association) authorizing him to act on behalf of both owners — documentation the commission said would be relevant to the code office when it issues a demolition permit. Commissioners discussed visual integrity and beach-community character but concluded the building did not retain enough unaltered features to merit delaying demolition. Don Rose moved the finding that the structure lacks sufficient historical or architectural significance to deny the demolition application; Kari Lapre seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
Chair Scott Stevens said the commission would inform the code office of the decision before the end of the week. Any replacement construction will follow separate planning and permitting review.
