The Demolition Review Committee held a public hearing on Aug. 22, in order to review the potential architectural or historical significance of the property located at 4 Nashua Road.
“This is the public hearing based on section 9.3.4 demolition review committee responsibilities of the Londonderry Zoning Ordinance,” Administrative Support Coordinator, Kirsten Hildonen, explained to the Committee during the meeting.
She explained that they were at the point in the process where they needed to hold a public hearing “to hear all public testimony regarding the demolition of the building in this case at 4 Nashua Road.”
As part of the process, Hildonen explained that the applicant, or their representative is invited to hear the concerns or the proposed alternatives from members of the public, during the public hearing.
It was also explained by Hildonen that the point of the meeting is to determine if the building is historically or architecturally significant and if its loss is detrimental to the community.
She explained if the Committee doesn’t think it’s significant, then they need to notify the Building Inspector in writing within two days, and if it’s found significant, they need to have a meeting with the Committee and the applicant within 10 days to discuss alternates or salvage parts of the building.
Representing the applicant was Steven DeLuca who explained that he was able to get the file from the State that was referenced at the previous meeting, and they determined that the real estate company who previously occupied the building had altered “the building’s historic character.”
Some of the examples they pointed to included vinyl siding, and the barn being converted to office space, to name a couple of examples.
“The existing building lacks significance and is not eligible for the national register,” DeLuca said, he learned from the State.
Committee member, Ann Chiampa, asked if it mentioned anything about the State Registrar.
DeLuca said he wasn’t sure.
Chiampa noted that she wasn’t able to get a copy of the report, and asked that they be able to get access to the building so they can document anything that may be of historical significance.
“We could set a time for the committee to come in and access the building,” DeLuca said.
The Committee ultimately voted unanimously to render a finding of no significance meaning the demolition can proceed, after a documentary visit takes place within 10 days so they can photograph anything that may be of historical significance.