I would like to remind my fellow townspeople that the proposed Town Center Overlay District bylaw would not facilitate the demolition and replacement of the General Store building as some have suggested, nor would the General Store necessarily be removed. Here is a quote from the minutes of the last Planning Board meeting of the Chair John McCormack regarding that subject:
“The General Store is still in the Historic District. It also is on a preexisting nonconforming structure and lot. All of those things would remain applicable. … If the owner wants to change the use, then that would require approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Governed by Ch.125 Section 3. …
“If the Town Center Overlay District bylaw change is approved by the town, it would not change anything in terms of the preexisting, nonconforming [uses]. … Changes to use for commercial purposes or mixed-use (including residential and commercial) would be subject to the Planning Board. It is in the agricultural-residential zone; even though there is a grandfathered clause because of the preexisting nonconforming, its uses and its dimensions are allowed to continue as they are. …
“There seems to be a lot of confusion with people in town. If anything, the opportunities increase with the overlay bylaw. The change is positive and will enhance its ability because it will allow for additional growth and attractiveness in the town center.”
Finally, the General Store is in Harvard’s Common Historic District. Any change to the exterior of the building is subject to the regulations of the Harvard Historical Commission and subject to its review. Again, quoting the Planning Board chairman, “[T]he proposed bylaw explicitly cites the role of the HHC in any proposed change in the Historic District.” Just as the Historical Commission was heavily involved in regulating the changes to the exterior detail of the Town Hall and to every other building in the Common Historic District, so too will they be directly involved in any change to the exterior of the General Store.
Joe Theriault
Tahanto Trail
