Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No.1 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?
Amend Article I – General Section 1.6 Definitions to add a definition for “Demolition”.
Amend Article I – Districts. New Section 1.8 to establish a demolition review procedure which includes the following: a purpose statement; review thresholds that are triggered where a building was constructed more than one hundred (100) years before the date of application for was constructed more than one hundred (100) years before the date of application for a demolition permit (per Assessor records), or is listed in the National or State Register of Historic Places, with an exemption provided for manufactured homes; a review process which involves the applicant meeting with the Building Inspector and the Town Planner to review the proposed demolition and discuss potential alternatives to demolition prior to the issuance of a demolition permit; the opportunity for the Hampton Historical Society or its designee to photographically document a subject building prior to demolition, encouraging the applicant to salvage significant architectural features, and to state that nothing in the Article shall be construed to prevent immediate demolition where public safety is at stake. A statement of authority relating to a Historic District Commission and/or a Heritage Commission, if established, is also included.
What it means: This warrant article amends the definition of “Demolition” and establishes a new demolition review procedure. The new procedure applies only to requests for demolition of structures that are more than 100 years old before the date of the demolition application, and/or are listed in the National or State Register of Historic Places. The new procedure adds a meeting with the Building Inspector and Town Planner to ensure that alternatives to demolition are discussed and considered. It also provides for the Hampton Historical Society (or its designee) to be able to photographically document the structure prior to demolition to ensure that a record of that structure will exist. The applicant will also be encouraged to salvage significant architectural features. If there is a public safety concern, the structure may be demolished immediately.
Those in favor say:When a structure is important to our heritage, this Warrant Article allows us to “push the pause button” to make sure that all avenues have been explored to preserve our history.
Those against say: No one spoke against this Article at the Deliberative Session.
Fiscal impact: No tax impact.