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Historic commission and neighbors persuade HDC to deny demolition at Ayers Landing
Summary
After testimony from the Dennis Historical Commission and multiple neighbors highlighting Ayers Landing’s planned historic fabric, the South Dennis Historic District Commission voted to deny the demolition request for 44 Ayers Landing and allowed the new-structure filing to be withdrawn.
The South Dennis Historic District Commission voted to deny an application to demolish the structure at 44 Ayers Landing after extended testimony from the Dennis Historical Commission and residents emphasizing the neighborhood’s intentional historic character.
Jim Haggerty represented the applicant; Bob Poskett and Tim Scannell of the Dennis Historical Commission detailed the history of Ayers Landing and the preservation work of Margreta Fort, arguing the cluster of Cape Cod cottages is a designed ensemble worth saving. Multiple residents, including John Cherio, told the commission they opposed full demolition and urged renovation or sensitive additions instead of tearing the building down.
Commissioners said the house contributes to a sequence of Cape Cod forms on the street — 1/4-, 1/2-, 3/4- and full-capecapes — and cited the district’s purpose to preserve buildings and settings. The board moved to deny the demolition request and the subsequent new-structure application was withdrawn without prejudice. The vote was taken by voice; the chair called for favor and members replied "Aye."
The commission’s denial is an administrative design review action under the district’s bylaws; it does not itself require the owner to pursue a particular preservation method but formalizes that the commission will not permit full demolition at this time.
