[MassHistPres] Demolitions

[David Feigenbaum]

For heritage districts in Winchester we use:

"... any act of pulling down, destroying, removing, or razing all or part
of any heritage district feature, or commencing or continuing any such act."


On Thu, Apr 16, 2026 at 8:34 AM Sullivan, Charles M. via MassHistPres <
masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:

> When we drafted Cambridge’s demo delay ordinance in 1978, we discovered
> that there was no accepted definition of demolition in law or in practice.
> We consulted several authorities, including Webster’s Collegiate, and came
> up with this: “‘Demolition’ means the act of pulling down, destroying,
> removing or razing a building or commencing the work of total or
> substantial destruction with the intent of completing the same.”
>
>
>
> This was pretty effective in most circumstances but generated an ongoing
> discussion with successive building commissioners over the meaning of the
> term “substantial destruction” (there’s never been a debate about the
> meaning of “total destruction”). Building commissioners have concerns about
> public safety and the orderly conduct of building operations, among other
> things, that affect their operative definition of what requires a
> demolition permit. There’s a lot of building activity in Cambridge, and the
> CHC has always relied on Inspectional Services to flag demolition permit
> applications. While alterations can constitute a loss of character that
> some might consider demolition, CHC’s practice has evolved to be tolerant
> of most such activities.
>
> CHC staff meets regularly with Cambridge ISD to discuss operative
> definitions of demolition. The current ISD definition includes several
> permitting triggers that reflect the relatively recent construction
> industry preference for gut rehabs rather than preservation of original
> fabric:
>
>    - Total destruction.
>    - Relocating a building, or
>    - removing 50% or more of the area of the exterior walls or roof
>    (framing), or
>    - removing a roof (including but not limited to raising the overall
>    height of a roof, rebuilding roof to a different pitch, or adding
>    additional stories to a building), or
>    - removing 50% or more of floor framing, or
>    - removing 50% or more of the foundation, or
>    - removing 25% or more of the volume above grade of a building.
>
> Preservation goals and community character vary so much across our 292
> towns and 59 cities that it’s difficult to imagine a single satisfactory
> definition. I think the choice might be to maintain the constructive
> ambiguity of “substantial destruction” or eliminate the category completely.
>
> Charles Sullivan
>
> ___________________________
>
> Charles Sullivan, Executive Director
>
> Cambridge Historical Commission
>
> 831 Massachusetts Avenue
>
> Cambridge, Mass.  02139
>
> 617 349-4684
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> *On Behalf Of *jakerox---
> via MassHistPres
> *Sent:* Friday, April 10, 2026 8:19 AM
> *To:* Chris Skelly <ccskelly12 at gmail.com>
> *Cc:* MHC MHC listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
> *Subject:* Re: [MassHistPres] Demolitions
>
>
>
> Yes that's why I'm asking.  I was under the impression that it was a
> statewide statute.  Thanks for your quick reply.
>
>
>
> *Mark Ferencik*
>
> *jakerox at comcast.net* <jakerox at comcast.net>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* Chris Skelly <ccskelly12 at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Thursday, April 9, 2026 7:49 PM
> *To:* jakerox at comcast.net <jakerox at comcast.net>
> *Cc:* MHC MHC listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
> *Subject:* Re: [MassHistPres] Demolitions
>
>
>
> Mark, is your question related to your demolition delay bylaw?  If so,
> then it really depends on how your bylaw has defined what constitutes a
> demolition.  This varies greatly across the state depending on the wording
> of the bylaw.  Chris.
>
> *Chris Skelly*
>
> *Skelly Preservation Services*
>
> Community Planning and Preservation
>
> www.skellypreservationservices.com
> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.skellypreservationservices.com/__;!!GolgDdAAPFHvrrz0!f4HwGtm-CrqNc56yx1SWAG5KEVLMvT3w_hbwBXUOWX2MJWbiXANpm2JgFqDSPep8GgIsxUX6nV1s8Secv95SpvULEwuZLUo8$>
>
> ccskelly12 at gmail.com
>
> *Community planning with the past, present, and future in mind*
>
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Apr 9, 2026 at 1:09 PM jakerox--- via MassHistPres <
> masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:
>
> Hello all, I remember a presentation a while back that stated changing a
> roofline constitutes a demolition.  I have been unable to find the
> Massachusetts General Law that supports this.  Does anyone know the
> specific MGL number that states this?
>
>
>
> Thank you
>
>
>
> *Mark Ferencik
>                                             Foxborough  Historical
> Commission*
>
> *jakerox at comcast.net* <jakerox at comcast.net>
>
>
>
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