HomeMy WebLinkAboutBanta Letter of OppositionOld Kings Highway Historic District Committee
My name is David Banta and I live at 61 Rendezvous Lane. I am writing due to the fact that I
will be unable to access the Committee’s Zoom meeting of October 9 and I wanted to register
my vigorous objection to Susan and Henry Livingston’s proposal to demolish 101 Rendezvous
Lane and erect in its place a much larger house. My wife’s family has lived at 61 Rendezvous
Lane for nearly 100 years with us living in the house full time since 2018. In that time
Rendezvous Lane has always been characterized by historic, lovely, well kept yet modest
houses with views of Barnstable Harbor. The only house facing Rendezvous Lane that exceeds
4000 sq. ft. of living space is the Livingston’s current house which is over 6000 sq. ft. and sits
vacant 11 months of the year. It should be noted that 54 and 56 Rendezvous Lane are both
over 4000 sq. ft. but are located on an offshoot and are not remotely visible from the street.
Additionally, there are several large houses north and west of Rendezvous Lane on Salten
Point, most of which also sit vacant most of the year. The Livingston’s proposal would remove
another house from the Town’s housing stock and replace it with one which, at over 5000 sq.
ft., is completely out of proportion to the rest of the neighborhood, out of proportion to the size
of the lot (.63 acres) and, if resold, would be out of reach for someone interested in living,
working and raising a family on the Cape. I understand that it is in the Town’s best interest to
maximize the property tax base but at the end of the day Barnstable Village needs to determine
whether it wants to be another Osterville, a very pretty town with a lot of oversized mansions
that sit empty.
I implore the Committee to reject this proposal. 101 Rendezvous Lane is a lovely,
historically significant 104 year old Craftsman style house which has been well cared for and
beautifully landscaped. It is an appropriate size for the lot and the neighborhood and it would
be tragic to tear it down just to build another “trophy” home. Better that they should sell it as is
and allow someone the chance to actually live there, work nearby and contribute to this
wonderful community.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Sincerely,
David A. Banta
61 Rendezvous Lane
Barnstable MA 02630