Coventry OKs demolition rule changes

The town now has a tougher ordinance for demolition projects after the council unanimously approved a revised version Monday.

The approval came after a public hearing with only two comments, support from Coventry Historical Society Chairman Peter Hershonik and another resident.

“It’s a lot better than it was a couple of months ago,” Hershonik said.

Councilman Lisa Thomas, chairman of the council’s steering committee, thanked the historical society for bring the issue forward.

The steering committee reviews ordinances and other issues before sending items to the full council.

While all demolitions of larger buildings require a permit, the ordinance has always made older buildings over 500 square feet subject to a special review.

The revised version now requires all buildings over 100 years old to apply for the special demolition permit, not just structures constructed before 1900.

Hershonik said the change makes the ordinance “effective” by giving the town a “rotating” threshold, not just ones built before a certain date.

The revised ordinance also creates a 60-day waiting period before beginning demolition, something town officials said gives the historical society and others in town the chance to save buildings they deem significant.

The permit fee was increased from $100 to $150 and the penalties for not obtaining a permit were also changed in the revision.

The maximum fine per violation remains $100, as it was under the old ordinance, but the town now considers each day without a permit a separate violation — meaning fines can accumulate if a violation is not addressed.

The previous ordinance had only allowed the town to issue one violation, regardless of time, although Town Manager John Elsesser told the town council early last month the intent is not to issue fines “for eternity.”

He said the demolition projects can improve public safety by removing older buildings in poor condition.