Demo Delay Hearing For Humphrey Property Tonight

Tonight at 7 the public can weigh in on whether it wants the local Historical Commission to invoke a delay to demolition of the multi-family structure at 267-69 Humphrey St.

The public hearing will take place at the Swampscott Senior Center, located behind Swampscott High School.

Property owner Charles Patsios is proposing to demolish the circa 1880 structure and construct condos on the site, according to the Historical Commission.

The wood-shingle structure has six bedrooms and four baths and sits on a third of an acre of land, according to the town assessor's listing. 

It is valued at $890,000 and was purchased in 2007 for $1,150,000.

A demolition delay can last up to nine months, though an agreement can be reached and the delay lifted any time before the nine month period ends. 

The town has given the commission authority to invoke a delay on properties deemed to have historical significance.

In late July the commission voted to impose a delay to demolition of the former school on Greenwood Avenue.

Generally, when a historical commission imposes a delay, the members then work with the applicant or developer on ways to preserve parts of a building or an entire building or to find a new owner for a property, the town planner said earlier.

While the delay can last up to nine months, an agreement can be reached and the delay lifted any time before the nine month period ends. 

A Q&A with Historical Commission Chairman Susan Munafo

1. How will the hearing proceed? I will review the status of the current application, a quick review of the bylaw so people understand what the public hearing is for. 

2. Who will speak? All commission members are entitled to speak.  

3. Will there be an opportunity for the public to weigh in? Absolutely, it is a public hearing, the purpose is to ascertain public opinion on the building and the proposed demolition.  

4. At what point in the hearing will the public be given this chance to talk?  Public comments will come after the commission has had the opportunity to speak. 

5. Who will be making the decision?  The Commission votes on whether or not the building is preferably preserved thereby imposing a delay.

6. What is the maximum length of the delay? 9 months although it does not have to be that long if the Commission and developer agree on how best to move forward in terms of preservation whole, in part, or otherwise.

7. Has Charles Patsios appeared before any other boards or commissions in town with respect to this project? No, just the commission.  He came to the commission on Sept. 11 to discuss the proposed demolition and his plans for a new building.  

8. Is Charles Patsios the current owner of the property? Yes. 

9. What is the building be used for now? Rental multifamily.

10. What buildings are currently under demo delay?  (The former school on) Greenwood Avenue.

 

The Historical Commission

Susan Post Munafo Chair 2012 Sylvia Belkin Vice Chair 2014 Jason Mahler Secretary 2012 Jean Reardon Treasurer 2013 Merry Glosband Member 2014 Richard Smith Member 2014

 

 

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

 

Lou Gallo   2014 Angela Ippolito