[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Foxborough
as Art. V, § 10, of the General Bylaws. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
This bylaw is proposed for the purpose of preserving and protecting
significant buildings within the Town of Foxborough and to encourage
owners of such buildings to seek out persons who might be willing
to preserve, rehabilitate or restore such buildings rather than demolish
them. To achieve these purposes, the Foxborough Historical Commission
(the "Commission") is empowered to advise the Building Commissioner
with respect to the issuance of permits for the demolition of significant
buildings. The issuance of demolition permits for significant buildings
is regulated as provided in this bylaw.
As used in this bylaw, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any combination of materials forming a shelter for persons,
animals, or property.
The Foxborough Historical Commission.
Any act of pulling down, destroying, removing or razing a
building or any portion thereof, or commencing the work of total or
substantial destruction with the intent of completion.
The permit issued by the Building Commissioner as required
by the State Building Code for the demolition or removal of a building
or structure. This permit must also indicate the location of the facility
at which the debris is to be disposed, in accordance with MGL c. 40,
§ 54, as amended in 1987.
Any significant building which the Commission determines
is in the public interest to be preserved or rehabilitated rather
than demolished.
Any building or portion thereof which is over 75 years old
and is not included in an historic district but which:
[Amended 12-5-2016 STM by Art. 12]
A.
Upon receipt of an application for a demolition permit for a building
over 75 years old, as determined by the Building Commissioner in reliance
upon Assessors' records and other pertinent documents, the Building
Commissioner shall forward a copy thereof to the Commission. No demolition
permit shall be issued at that time.
[Amended 12-5-2016 STM by Art. 12]
B.
After the Commission has received a copy of the demolition application,
it shall within 30 days submit a preliminary recommendation regarding
the granting of a demolition permit. The Commission shall be allowed
to tour the building, if necessary, to inform the preliminary recommendation.
If the Commission issues a recommendation in favor of the granting
of such permit, a demolition permit will be issued by the Building
Commissioner. If the Commission issues a recommendation in opposition
to the granting of such a permit for demolition, no permit shall be
issued until a more thorough investigation and a public hearing is
undertaken and a final recommendation is provided by the Commission.
Such investigation, public hearing and recommendation shall be completed
within 90 days of the original submission to the Historical Commission.
[Amended 12-5-2016 STM by Art. 12]
C.
After the Commission issues a preliminary recommendation in opposition
to the granting of such permit for demolition, the Commission shall
fix a reasonable time for the public hearing on the application in
question. The Commission shall publish notice of time, place and purpose
of the hearing in a local newspaper at least 14 days before said hearing
and also, within seven days of said hearing, mail a copy of said notice
to the applicant, to the owners of all property deemed to be affected
thereby as they appear on the most recent tax list, and to such other
persons as the Commission shall deem entitled to notice.
D.
If, after such hearing, the Commission determines that the demolition
of the significant building would not be detrimental to the historical
or architectural heritage or resources of the Town, the Commission
shall so notify the Building Commissioner of such determination. Upon
receipt of such notification, or after the expiration of 90 days from
the date the Commission received a copy of the demolition application,
the Building Commissioner may, subject to requirements of the State
Building Code and any other applicable laws, bylaws, rules and regulations,
issue the demolition permit.
E.
If the Commission determines that the demolition of the significant
building would be detrimental to the historical or architectural heritage
or resources of the Town, such building shall be considered a "preferably
preserved significant building."
F.
Upon determination by the Commission that the significant building
which is the subject of the application for a demolition permit is
a preferably preserved significant building, the Commission shall
so advise the applicant and the Building Commissioner, and no demolition
permit may be issued at least six months after the date of such determination
by the Commission.
G.
Notwithstanding Subsection F herein, the Building Commissioner may issue a demolition permit for a preferably preserved significant building at any time after receipt of written advice from the Commission to the effect that either:
(1)
The Commission is satisfied that there is no reasonable likelihood
that either the owner or some other person or group is willing to
purchase, preserve, rehabilitate or restore such building; or
(2)
The Commission is satisfied that for at least six months, with monthly
reviews, the owner has made a continuing and reasonable effort by
advertising in local, regional, state and national publications to
find a buyer, tenant or restorer to preserve, rehabilitate and restore
the subject building and that such efforts have been unsuccessful;
or
A.
The Commission and the Building Commissioner are each authorized
to institute any and all proceedings in law or equity as they deem
necessary and appropriate to obtain compliance with the requirements
of this bylaw, or to prevent a violation thereof.
B.
No building permit shall be issued with respect to any premises upon
which a significant building has been voluntarily demolished in violation
of this bylaw for a period of two years after the date of the completion
of such demolition. As used herein, "premises" includes the parcel
of land upon which the demolished significant building was located.
If any section, paragraph or part of this bylaw be for any reason
declared invalid or unconstitutional by any court, every other section,
paragraph, and part shall continue in full force and effect.
