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Historic Preservation
Demolition Ordinances
There’s no better way to learn about protecting local historic resources than finding out how another community dealt with the threat of demolition -- and what the outcome was. Obviously, it was a success story or DCPD’s Historic Preservation section wouldn’t be sharing it.
Fueled by the loss of the 1761 Larkin-Reynolds farmhouse, demolished in 2003, the Upper Chichester Township Commissioners decided to draft a demolition ordinance. It proved a challenge because the Commissioners did not want to stop new development but, at the same time, wanted to retain important symbols of Upper Chichester’s past. The Township came up with a creative ordinance that accomplishes both goals. Most importantly, it establishes a process for the submission and Township review of written comments before a demolition permit for an historic resource is issued.
It wasn’t long before the new ordinance was put to work. In 2004, the Township received an application to demolish the McCay-Pierce House on the corner of Chichester Avenue and Meetinghouse Road. The William McCay family occupied the stone house, built in the late 1700s, for nearly 100 years. The McCays owned a mill and the largest farm in the Township during the 19th century and helped establish the local public school system. In addition, the family home was at the heart of an early village called “McCaysville,” later Boothwyn. It served as an important stop on the farm-to-market trade route from the western portion of the County to the port in Marcus Hook. The home is the last remaining building of the early village and was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
After receiving several letters from concerned citizens about the proposed demolition, the Township, with the help of DCPD’s Historic Preservation planners, organized a meeting with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the property owners, a potential developer, and others to discuss the property. In addition, members of the Chichester Historical Society volunteered many hours to do additional research to help the meeting participants better understand the significance of the home to their community.
The meeting proved successful; the property owners withdrew their application for demolition, and the retail developer interested in potentially leasing the McCay-Pierce site agreed to consider incorporating the house into future site designs.
“It’s not often that you can have your cake and eat it too,” said Township Commissioner Thomas Ferro. “With the demolition ordinance, we have been able to dispel the myth that development and history don’t mix. We’ve done this in a way that fosters communication and public involvement while reinforcing community pride by preserving our history.”
For more information on the nuances of language in demolition ordinances and how one might benefit your community, contact DCPD’s Historic Preservation section. Hopefully, there will be more success stories to share.
In Historic Preservation..... |
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