Lewes couple fights demo decision

“Sorry neighbors. We tried.” That is the message from Cait Clarke and Neil Shister to their friends in the Lewes Historic District.

The apology is on a banner hanging at what’s left of the couple’s home at 311 Park Ave. Only the front wall remains.

The home was built in 1950. It had been vacant for 30 years, according to Clarke. She said the wood in the walls and floors was rotting, and the house was full of mold.

The backyard was so overgrown that when contractors cleared it, they discovered a shed that nobody even knew was there.

The Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission classifies the structure as non-contributing, because it was built after 1940. The commission approved the design of the proposed renovations last August.

Clarke and Shister had hoped to have work well underway by now. But, they claim city building official Jon Ward has thrown up a roadblock that now has the project in limbo.

A stop-work order was issued Feb. 25, rescinded Feb. 27, then reinstated March 2, according to Clarke and Shister. They said they received formal notice in a March 1 letter from Ward.

“We got a formal determination where he cites codes and provides us with options, but his premise is that what we’re doing is new construction, not renovation or building upon an existing foundation, which is untrue,” Shister said.

The letter stated, “Because the structural envelope and load-resisting systems have been materially removed, the original structure must now be treated as new construction.” He said the couple would now have to get a demolition permit and a fire suppression system, among other requirements.

The decision formally placed a partial stop-work order on the project. No work can be done on the original structure, but contractors can continue with a new foundation in the rear.

The couple met with Ward, City Manager Ellen Lorraine McCabe and Assistant City Manager Janet Reeves to try and resolve the dispute.

“We [told them] we did everything you’ve asked us to do and HPARC approves and you’re the only one stopping us,” Clarke said.

But, Clarke and Shister said the city stood its ground.

“The one concession was that we could appeal to the board of adjustment without having to pay the fee,” Shister said.

The couple is scheduled to make their appeal at the BoA meeting Tuesday, May 5.

Kevin Mallinson, former HPARC chair, said he was surprised to hear the project was being disputed.

“I went back and looked at the design. I had nothing else to do with it because HPARC is all over and done with that. Then, I keep hearing that they are going through more and more problems,” Mallinson said. “This is a 180-degree turn of events from what we just saw at Coleman Avenue.”

Mallinson resigned as HPARC chair April 21. He cited his frustration with mayor and city council and city administration over what he called the obstruction of HPARC’s work.

Last August, the city condemned the 115-year old, contributing structure at 111 Coleman Ave., after finding a termite infestation. The city issued a demolition permit and the house was quickly torn down. The lot is still vacant.

Ward said 111 Coleman Ave. and 311 Park Ave. are two different situations, but he did not comment further.

He said the status of the 311 Park Ave. stop-work order will depend on the BoA’s decision.