With overdevelopment and historic preservation constant hot topics in Waltham, the Daily News Tribune asked candidates for city councilor at large this week whether they would support an ordinance that would restrict demolition of potentially historic properties.
This session the council is expected to revisit a proposed "demolition delay ordinance," which could prohibit property owners from tearing down homes 75 years old or more, for a six-month period to allow time for public hearings and review. If the property is found to have some historic value, neighbors and city boards would have the opportunity to suggest alternatives to demolition.
Neighboring communities have adopted similar ordinances and the majority of City Council hopefuls said they would support such a law. Many, though, said the ordinance needs to be carefully crafted to balance the rights of homeowners with the city's interest in preserving historic property.
Candidates Joe Vizard and William Fowler wholeheartedly supported the idea of a demolition delay ordinance.
"Waltham has lost a number of historical homes in recent years," said Vizard, a member of the Waltham Historical Society. "We must move quickly to enact a demolition delay as many surrounding communities have. It is unfortunate that Waltham has lagged behind in doing so."
Fowler said he would "definitely" support the ordinance, partly so residents would have time to be aware of potential projects around them.
"The real question to me should be, 'Why has the City Council buried this issue in committee for four years?' " Fowler said, pointing to the fact that a demolition delay ordinance was tabled in the council's Committee on Ordinances and Rules in March 2003. "This ordinance is only one step in the process of bringing development under control."
Incumbent Kathleen B. McMenimen said she would support the ordinance but would need to review the language to make sure the Waltham Historical Commission plays a role in the decision-making process and "to be assured that we are protecting the individual owner's rights."
"It (the ordinance) could be a beneficial tool to protect the historically significant properties of Waltham," McMenimen said.
Incumbent Patrick J. O'Brien said there are many historic parcels in the city "that are probably under threat" and "the time has come" to pass a demolition delay ordinance.
"But if it happens it has to have some teeth to it," O'Brien said.
Incumbent Sarafina "Sally" Collura supports adoption of the ordinance "since we have fewer and fewer historically and architecturally significant buildings remaining."
Collura said she alerted historical experts when a developer proposed a condo project a few years ago at the former site of the Freedom Wentworth Funeral home on Prospect Street. In the end, she said, the developer kept some of the original building and built the new portion to match the old home.
Candidate Robert McGurrin said reviewing plans to demolish historic properties is a good idea but he does not agree with the details of the drafted ordinance sitting in committee, which would apply to properties 75 years or older and potentially delay demolition for six months.
"I think the City Council would need to pass very clear guidelines as to what the options were (for the property owner)," McGurrin said, adding the law should only apply to properties at least 100 years old and limit the delay process to 45 days.
Incumbents David H. Marcou Jr. and Paul J. Brasco were the only council hopefuls to say they would not approve a demolition delay ordinance. Both said the ordinance could threaten the rights of property owners.
"Some of these homes are so old that they need to be taken down and rebuilt - the delay in any type of building process is not good for a homeowner," said Brasco, adding that a 75 years or older standard would apply to far too many homes in Waltham.
Brasco said he understands people's frustration when demolition leads to bigger developments, but he said it should be left up to city boards to take "smart growth" positions on a case-by-case basis.
"In America it's the property owners' rights that have to be protected," said Marcou, who said homeowners would need to get some kind of restitution if an ordinance stopped them from knocking down a house they had paid for.
Marcou said the city's process for acquiring demolition and building permits is already a lengthy one.
Candidate David Gately is away training with the Army Reserves could not be reached for comment. Incumbent Thomas M. Stanley did not return calls for comment.
Nicole Haley can be reached at nhaley@cnc.com or 781-398-8004.
