Homeowners Steve and Ellie Wise will withdraw their application to demolish a house at 189 Katama Road.
The owners of a historic Edgartown home on the Edgartown harbor will withdraw their application to demolish the house, after the Martha’s Vineyard Commission voted to review the project at their meeting last Thursday.
In a letter dated July 12 and sent to the Gazette early Tuesday morning, homeowners Steve and Ellie Wise said they would no longer seek a demolition permit for the former Harman house at 189 Katama Road.
The letter was addressed to the staff of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
“We are writing to inform you that we are withdrawing our demo application . . . at this time,” the letter said in part. “Whether we rebuilt or renovated, we have always planned to respect the aesthetic of the town and to create a family home that was in keeping in with the local architecture. We viewed our demolition application as the first step in considering our available options.”
Purchased in April for $11.2 million, the 8,000-square-foot, Colonial-style home with a deep-water dock on the Edgartown harbor dates to 1916, according to a commission staff report. The report states that the home is a prime example of historic trim and molding, with original antique blown glass window panes throughout the building.
Because the home is over 100 years old, the demolition application was referred to the commission by the Edgartown building inspector as a mandatory concurrence review.
In a previous letter, the Wise family said they would not refurbish the house, saying it would be inefficient and expensive. The family did not include a plan with the demolition permit.
At a meeting last Thursday, the commission voted 10-3 to review the project and hold a public hearing on the demolition. While a small contingent of commissioners felt local boards should handle the project’s review, the majority noted that only the commission has the sole power to review the demolition and expressed concern about the historic nature of the house.
Commission staff scored the home a seven out of a possible 13 on its historic structure rubric, meaning it has limited historical significance — earning high points for visibility and historic features, including original floors, molding and trim.
On Tuesday, commission administrator Lucy Morrison said the commission had received the letter announcing the demolition permit withdrawal, and that it would enter the public record later Tuesday.
Ms. Morrison said if the homeowners pull the demolition permit, the commission would halt its review of the project. A public hearing on the demolition had not been scheduled yet.
Edgartown building inspector Reade Milne could not be immediately reached for comment.
In their Tuesday letter, Mr. and Mrs. Wise explained why they did not provide a plan and thanked the commission for their work.
“We were advised not to create extensive plans until we received your input on our options for the existing structure. We will meet with our architect to discuss your feedback,” the letter said. “Thank you for the time you have spent on this and for all that you do for the Island.”
Comments
It's a beautiful home on
rob the roofer new jerseyIt's a beautiful home on beautiful land, thanks for taking the time, and consideration of renovation.
They wanted to tear it down
Antique Home Owmsr New EnglandThey wanted to tear it down and build new, not remodel it. People with that much money don’t care about historic properties.
Old houses were built to last and too few people care enough to preserve them for future generations.
One of the owners is an
Neighbor West TisburyOne of the owners is an Islander, they built a charming home in Lambert’s Cove and you can trust they to do the right thing again, whether that’s restore (who wants to look at that ugly roofline) or rebuild.
Nothing wrong with that
Jessica EdgartownNothing wrong with that roofline. Just an ugly dormer.
With one of them being a
Native OB Oak bluffsWith one of them being a islander, she should know better. Take a look at what has happened to the Vineyard over the years with all of the greed. People have a right to own and build, but it has gotten out of control with all of the monster mansions.
There is clearly more to come
AM 02539There is clearly more to come here - it will be interesting to see the next permit request and related guidance from the architect.
I am relieved to hear that
Liv Alexandria Va/Chilmark MaI am relieved to hear that the owners have decided to withdraw the demolition permit, but there is certainly more to come.
What in gods name makes this
Richard NYWhat in gods name makes this historical? Look at the dormer? Hello??
The house was built in 1916.
Historic House guy MashpeeThe house was built in 1916. Anything over 100 years old is classified as historic.
That dormer is a later, ugly addition.
I stayed there a few years
Buzz OBrienI stayed there a few years ago. Needs work obviously, but has tremendous potential
To those who want tell these
John Gault Oak BluffsTo those who want tell these fine people what to do, be careful for what you get now. Wishing them the best on the next stage of their journey.
Has anyone noticed what has
Marie EdgartownHas anyone noticed what has gone on in the “historic District?” There is more demolition and rebuild while taking every piece of available land on property. They then proceed to over plant what green space there is. I would love to know what original piece of heritage is left. Saying that doesn’t mean I object. I just think we should all relax and realize that the owners of this special piece of land will follow the building restrictions in place by the town of Edgartown. Congratulations to them. I wish you many happy years and memories.
Good morning, all. Let us
Lorraine EdgartownGood morning, all. Let us take a deep breath and look at Edgartown. Houses are being demolished, right and left, even in the Historic District. The museum moved and that is totally different. Swimming pools and huge mechanical equipment are being added to many of the dwellings. What is historic about a swimming pool and mechanical equipment in the village center? Huge windbreaks of trees are being planted to screen out the neighbors, although I have no idea what people are doing that they need 20 foot hedges. That is what those huge green things are as fences have a limit of six feet and so the trees can grow as tall as nature permits. One of the oldest buildings in Edgartown was razed a few years ago. A few original walls are left to satisfy the "codes". Picket fences are being supplanted with green hedges, people are erecting privacy gates. Old is not necessarily historic. I am not in favor of many of the changes taking place, but we have allowed a huge charging station to be built in the middle of the village, that is not historic. Huge electric buses clogging the village streets is not historic. The clash and clatter of mechanical equipment for central air conditioning and pool equipment, running day and night, is not historic. We cannot have our cake and eat it too, as my sainted Mother used to say.
As we know it; it's over.
Michael OBAs we know it; it's over.
Mission statement as it
Amanda EdgartownMission statement as it appears on the mvcommission website:
"The mission of the MVC is twofold: (1.) To assist our region’s 7 towns (Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Gosnold, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, & West Tisbury) with planning expertise; and (2.) Protect and enhance the islands’ environment, economy, character, and social fabric."
#2 has been severely neglected in recent years. Protect. Do better MVC.
Certainly it can be renovated
John Cape CodCertainly it can be renovated but why buy a house that sits in a flood zone, as from looking at the photo it is not much above sea level. A major storm of any type will have a big impact on this structure / property, I would be looking for something on higher ground.
Either it’s a historic
Pita EdgartownEither it’s a historic property, or it is not. There is no such thing as “considered historic” or “old.” The rules are defined. Follow them, and let’s stop the selective overreach.
Stop telling people what to do with their hard earned money. It’s nunya.
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