Historical Commission approves Birch Lane cottage demolitions for affordable housing duplex

WESTON -- March 2, 2021, Weston Historical Commission clears Birch Lane cottage demolitions for affordable housing duplex. The commission voted 6-0 to allow the Weston Affordable Housing Association to demolish two early-1900s worker cottages at 8 and 16 Birch Lane, with member John Thompson moving "regrettably" after architect Keith said retrofitting the cottages would have cost roughly $200,000 more per unit than new construction. Attorney Eric Goldberg, for neighbors, argued the demolition bylaw makes cost "not a factor." The commission also imposed a 12-month delay on total demolition at 283 Meadowbrook Road, found the 1930 French eclectic at 29 Derby Lane and the 1903 James G. Freeman house at 55 Love Lane significant, and authorized Co-Chair Phyllis Halpern and member Henry S. Stone Jr. to represent it at Monday's Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on a stop-work order at 300 Meadowbrook Road.