HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnonymous Public Comment Letter- Opposed
Re: the proposed demolishing of 139 Old Stage Road.
Dear Commission,
The proposal to demolish 139 Old Stage Road is more than disturbing. This is an historic home
in an historic village known for its charm due the large number of original structures and
landscaping dating back to the 1800s. Many structures, like 139 Old Stage Road, were Sea
Captain’s homes, which reflect the rich Pre-Civil War history of shipbuilding and other activities
in the Centerville and Craigville Beach area.
I have lived in Centerville village for 24 years and have seen 3 owners in the 139 Old Stage
house, which has been well maintained and unchanged until the current owners of the past two
years. The current owners do not seem to reside in the home but have rather treated it as a
development project, by immediately building a 3-car garage that seems more in keeping with
the proposed prefab home than the charming antique home they bought 2 years ago. And now
this proposed demolition. This leads me to seriously question the owners’ intent in purchasing
this property as well as the subsequent reasons presented for the demolition and new build.
Wouldn’t it be a shame if this property, which has stood for nearly 200 years is demolished
along with its history, forever changing the historic nature and charm of this entrance road to
the village, only to be flipped as an investment?
Furthermore, reviewing the PowerPoint, I was struck by the lack of evidence that this structure
is failing beyond reasonable repair and/or renovation. Previous owners have never complained
of mold or structural problems, quite the contrary. This home has been well cared for and
appears to have many of the same characteristics of older homes of this period . Like many
other examples on this street and in this village, it could and should be preserved not
demolished.
I was also struck by the owner’s lack of evidence for the expressed commitment to build new in
keeping with the antique nature and charm of “the neighborhood,” as all that was provided in
the slides was an image of what the house might look like rather than real plans to show such a
commitment. And this image seems to be of a much larger structure using prefabricated
materials. I think all would agree that this is far far from maintaining the integrity of this historic
village.
Since I have lived here, I have witnessed the owners of the homes in this neighborhood care
thoughtfully for their homes, often using their precious time and resources to preserve the
unique, antique and historic character of these 1800s homes. This is done not just for
themselves but for their community, to preserve the history of their village and the charm of
the Cape. It should not be so easy for someone to come along and demolish neighborhood
structures that have long contributed to the history of not only the local village but Cape Cod
itself.
Anonymous concerned resident