Ultimate decision rests in hands of voters at next week’s Town Meeting
By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Northborough – In spite of strenuous opposition voiced by the current owner’s attorney, the Northborough Historic District Commission unanimously voted April 21 to approve the White Cliffs property as a historic district. The decision must ultimately be approved by voters at next week’s Town Meeting.
Approximately 30 residents gathered in the meeting room at the Northborough Fire Station to hear from the commission details on the process it had undertaken as it determined whether or not to recommend making the property a historic district.
Nearly a year ago, the current owners, the LaCava family, decided to close the business they had run at the 167 Main St. location for nearly 30 years and put the 6.5-acre property, which includes the 18,000-square-foot mansion, on the market for $2 million. Since that time, no serious buyers have come forth, according to Michael Durkin, a Realtor with LAER Realty Partners, who is representing the LaCavas. Because of that, in January the owners notified the town they were going to apply for a demolition permit.
By a unanimous vote during a public hearing Feb. 12, the Northborough Historical Commission passed a measure to extend the town’s demolition delay ruling for the White Cliffs property to the full 180 days. At that time, the commission said they would pursue establishing the property as a historic district.
If the property is indeed declared a historic district at Town Meeting, then the owners, current or future, cannot tear down the property. They must keep the structure’s street view as it currently is – no new development would be allowed on the acreage in front of the building. They would not be restricted however, from changing anything inside or at the back of the property.
During the April 21 public hearing, Attorney Ann Sobolewski, a partner with Posternak Blankstein & Lund, LLP, said the owners had not made any significant financial gains from the property for the past ten years. And throughout the year the property had been for sale, there had been no serious offers.
“Up until this point, the owners have been in a voluntary process with the town. But this [hearing] is involuntary,” she said. “The value to the owners is redevelopment. But any new buildings would have to fit the criteria of the district. You are diminishing the value of the property.
Two abutters to the property noted that they had no concerns about the property being demolished and redeveloped.
“It’s not a heavily used function hall,” Chris Hodge said. “To have someone come in and buy it seems unlikely.”
Another resident, Patricia Thayor, spoke in favor of establishing the property as a historic district. She noted that her family had eaten at the establishment many times in the past when it also was a restaurant, and not just a function hall.
“It’s incredible that people want to tear it down,” she added.
Durkin noted that it had always been the LaCava family’s position to work with the town.
“Everyone who owns property and lives up to the spirit of the law has a right to develop their own property as they see fit,” he said.
In its current state, the property needed at least $100,000 worth of work to bring it up to code, he said. But by making the property a historic district, potential buyers could possibly be scared away from purchasing it.
“Making it a historic district doesn’t mean it will be maintained,” he added. “Look at this by thinking about your own rights.”
Amy Jo White, a member of the commission, remarked that if “I sat back and did nothing, then I would have a problem.”
“It’s up to the voters now,” she said.
Town Meeting starts Monday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Algonquin Regional High School, 79 Bartlett St. The White Cliffs article is number 52 on the warrant; therefore it may not be addressed until Tuesday, April 28 or possibly Wednesday, April 29.
