Demolition Delay Ordinance

The Westfield Historical Commission is made up of residents of Westfield who have been appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council to direct the city’s commitment to the preservation of the historical assets of the community. To further this commitment, the Historical Commission has identified additional properties as meeting the criteria for listing in our local register. These properties, once on the Westfield Historical Commission list of Properties of Historical Significance come under Ordinance 1352 (Demolition Delay).

What is the Demolition Delay Ordinance?

This Ordinance allows the Commission a time frame in which to work with owners of listed buildings who wish to demolish said structures or alter in such as way a to nullify its historical significance.

The only true power allowed the Commission under Ordinance 1352 is that it may hold up the issuance of a demolition permit of a listed building for 180 days to allow time to present a case for historic preservation.

Listed properties are required to apply for a Certificate of Historical Review, at which time the owners and the Commission meet to discuss alternatives to demolition.

The Commission has had the opportunity to work with owners on three occasions. In two of these meetings the owners maintained the buildings and thus the historic look of the structure and the neighborhood. These Westfield citizens are the Kulyak Family at 54 East Silver Street, and the Easthampton Bank at 85 Broad Street.