1 DRAFT TILL APPROVED
2 HERITAGE COMMISSION 3 PUBLIC HEARING – STONE HOUSE DEMOLITION (1253 Hooksett Road) 4 Hooksett Municipal Building 5 35 Main Street 6 Hooksett, NH 03106 7
8 Chair Kathie Northrup called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
9 Members present: John Giotas, Jim Sullivan (Town Council representative), Kathie Northrup
10 Chair Northrup: Good evening everyone. On behalf of the Heritage Commission, thank you all 11 so much for coming out tonight. We appreciate your interest in the Hebert House, known locally 12 as the Stone House. I am Kathie Northrup, Chair of the Heritage Commission, and with me are 13 the other members, Jim Sullivan and John Giotas. We are joined by Mr. and Mrs. Houle, 14 owners of the property at 1253 Hooksett Road; T.J. Potter, their realtor; and the applicant 15 Gordon Welch. Mr. Welch is a managing member of RCA Holdings, LLC, a developer of self- 16 storage facilities for Life Storage, a national chain.
17 G. Welch: I am developing this for myself, not for Life Storage. I have engaged Life Storage for 18 third party management.
19 Chair Northrup: In Hooksett, the developer and/or the owner can apply for a demolition permit. 20 In this case, the owner signed the application, but the demolition is sought by the developer who 21 is the applicant. I would like to share a quote from the National Trust for Historic Preservation 22 website. “The purpose of preservation practice is not to stop change but to offer tools that help a 23 society manage change in ways that do not disconnect it from the legacy of its past.” We 24 understand the push and tug between business and historic preservation. Many of the 25 comments we will hear and share tonight are out of the scope of the developer and are directed 26 to the owner, Raymond Houle 124-128 Mammoth Road Realty. It is difficult to separate these, 27 so we have expanded our scope to include both.
28 This building was constructed around 1930 and is thought to have been completed in 1938, 29 which is the date engraved in concrete inside the front door. This meeting was posted and 30 published by the Administration Department of Hooksett. Let me explain this process. Per 31 Development Regulation #17, the Code Enforcement Officer notifies the Heritage Commission 32 of all demolition permit requests for buildings which are 50 years old or older, and larger than 33 500 square feet. The Heritage Commission then meets to determine “whether the building might 34 be of historical or architectural significance.” The Commission met on June 25, 2020. The Stone 35 House is automatically deemed significant because it was found to be eligible for both the State 36 and National Registers of Historic Places in 2006. The regulation then calls for a public hearing; 37 that’s why we’re here tonight.
38 I want to make it clear that this is a demolition delayed, not denied. We see it as a valuable time 39 out.
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40
41 Chair Northrup: It is 6:36 pm and we will now ask for public input.
42 Stacy Ferguson, Boston: I am here on behalf of my mother, Jane Ferguson. She is 80 years 43 old and lives at 8 Short Avenue. At one time she worked for the ZBA. Mr. and Mrs. Houle should 44 be proud of this house. I hope you can find a better use for the Stone House. I did some market 45 research and learned that there are four (4) self-storage locations in Hooksett. They have plenty 46 of vacancies. Another storage facility? Is this a wise idea? Bluebird is offering incredible 47 inducements. The actual need for a fifth seems…it is what it is. I hope the developer thinks hard 48 before demolishing one of the truly lovely buildings in Hooksett. Kmart is dead. There is plenty 49 of space there.
50 Chair Northrup: I will share some comments from people who sent emails but could not be 51 here tonight.
52 Roberta Grady, Hooksett 53 The Stone House is an intriguing piece of architecture, which, through no fault of 54 its own or its owner, finds itself in the middle of commercial properties that bear 55 no resemblance to it. Once upon a time, its neighbors probably had more in 56 common with it than with the buildings which surround it now. The house is 57 unique. It has character in both its design and its material, and also now because 58 it stands out in a sea of buildings without any distinguishing characteristics. Our 59 town would be poorer if it were to be demolished. This building should be 60 preserved.
61 Larry Maurice, Hillsborough (Hooksett resident from 1953 until 2003) 62 Many Hooksett people and travelers know this building and some of its history. It 63 is a landmark that really stands out in a modern world. Please don’t tear down a 64 piece of the town’s history. 65 66 67 Matt Nolet 68 Let them demolish it. It has no impact on anybody. Also, a storage building or 69 whatever would also be very trashy, but it’s their property. 70
71 Margaret King 72 I’ve lived in the area for nearly 50 years, and this property has always been of 73 interest to me. I think it would be a shame to destroy this building just to have 74 another storage facility on Route 3. I don’t care who owns it. If they bought the 75 property just to tear it down, they should be ashamed. 76
77 Chair Northrup: Is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak?
78
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79 Bob Shultz, Presidential Park: Right now, there is no need for another storage facility. This is a 80 nice building and there must be a better use, although I don’t know what that would be. All of the 81 stone came from this area. It is a shame to tear something down just to build something else.
82 Chair Northrup: Everett Hardy remembers his grandfather coming to his father for stones. He 83 then went to all of the neighbors to gather stones.
84 Michael Lennon, 1465 Hooksett Road: I am upset about this building coming down. There 85 should be something better than a storage facility. It could be used as office space. This is poor 86 land use.
87 Paul Scarpetti, 73 Falcon Lane: I am on the Hooksett Planning Board but am speaking tonight 88 as a citizen. The Stone House is a beautiful building, and I want to thank the Commission for the 89 opportunity I had to see it. This is America. The area is zoned for storage. I would just like to 90 offer some insight about alternative uses. The developer went for a subdivision, but it is not 91 recorded yet. Whitehall Road could be used as a main entrance. There is a bottleneck on 92 Hooksett Road where the entrance is now. It is a State-maintained road where money might be 93 spent for widening. Using Whitehall Road, the developer could subdivide on the additional land 94 for the square footage needed for the storage facility. I would like the house to be seen as an 95 asset, not a liability. The developer has the freedom to decide what to do. Maybe there could be 96 an office on the first floor and an Airbnb on the second floor. There is a wetland crossing off of 97 Whitehall Road, but that could be dealt with.
98 Chair Northrup: I will share more comments from people who sent emails but could not be 99 here tonight.
100 Dennis Brown 101 It can never be replaced once it’s gone! I would love to see the interior. As many 102 times as I’ve driven past (I’m as old as the house), I’ve never been inside. Save 103 the house. It’s worthy. 104
105 Diane Bergeron, Hooksett 106 If RCA Holdings, LLC is going to build another storage facility that Hooksett really 107 does not need in such a prominent location, then they should use the building as 108 the office for the facility. Renovate the interior for suitable commercial use and 109 leave the exterior. Landscaped and tidied up, this would make a memorable 110 location for an office. Have the storage units hidden in the trees behind the stone 111 house. 112
113 Dawn Clancy, Candia 114 The demolition of this beautiful 1930’s stone house would be a tragedy. 115 Certainly, the people of Hooksett have a sense of history and cannot stand to 116 see another storage unit be put in the place of such a one-of-a-kind house. The 117 fact that it qualified for State and National Registers of Historic Places should 118 speak for itself in preserving this structure. I would hope the owner and/or the 119 residents of Hooksett can find a fitting use for this unique structure. If properly 120 leveraged, it could actually enhance the owner’s business. Please consider your
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121 decision well and realize, once this house is destroyed, you can never get it 122 back. Let’s try to save important parts of our New Hampshire history, which I 123 believe this ‘Stone House’ illustrates. 124
125 Kris Jeffrey, Hooksett 126 We need to keep more aesthetically pleasing architecture in Hooksett. We 127 already have way too many storage companies in our small town. We don’t need 128 another one. If it is absolutely necessary to put yet another storage company in 129 that location, then the original building should be kept as the main office as a 130 condition of purchase. My husband and I love our town and would like to see as 131 much preserved as possible, while allowing for growth and prosperity in 132 Hooksett. I feel one does not have to preclude the other.
133
134 Chair Northrup: Let’s hear from other members of the audience.
135
136 Roger Duhaime, Hooksett: I am now a Town Councilor and previously served on the ZBA. I 137 love Hooksett and have volunteered a lot of my time to it. I want to keep the character of 138 Hooksett. I grew up here and went to school in this building. I live in an old farmhouse with a 139 barn. The Stone House has character. This is one we would miss if we demolished it. We can’t 140 replace it. The ZBA, I know, is willing to look at possibilities. From my time on the ZBA, I know 141 that we are always weighing issues. My thanks to the Heritage Commission for what you are 142 doing.
143
144 David Ross, Sherwood Drive: Thank you for having this hearing and thanks to the property 145 owners for being here. This is a recurring theme: Try to save important buildings and still do 146 what you want to do. People have the right to do what they want with their property, short of 147 offending neighbors. If you own an historical property, that is a benefit and a burden. This 148 building is an icon and a landmark. It is irreplaceable, and demolishing it will have a long-term 149 effect. It has been for sale for a long time, listed by multiple agents. Zero interest has been 150 expressed. My hope is that you will go back to the drawing board and find a way to work around 151 the building. There are two access points on Whitehall. I have been involved in conservation 152 since 1992 and I can tell you that is not a valuable wetland. The building is part of history and I 153 hate to see it blown away.
154
155 Chair Northrup: Here are a few more email messages.
156
157 Judi Lindsey, Candia
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158 I can’t imagine what would go in there that would be worth tearing down this 159 architectural gem for. 160
161 Gianna Valentino 162 The town should give the public ten (10) days to submit an offer to buy the 163 property, for the purpose of historical preservation. If there is no buyer or person 164 interested in buying that property, it is unfair for the public at large to block the 165 current sale by not allowing the current owner to sell it to RCA Holdings. The 166 town cannot deny the potential buyer the right to build. The home has been 167 neglected and an eyesore for years. All the people up in arms about the home 168 have not contributed to any upkeep and are not offering to. Even if the petition 169 had 50,000 signatures, all that matters are the signatures from Hooksett 170 residents. There should be no consideration for the petition on change.org in the 171 matter because the Town of Hooksett actually has their own petition process 172 within the town. 173
174 Donna Stavrou, Hooksett
175 I’ve been living in Hooksett since 1984 and I’ve always admired and wanted to go 176 inside this one-of-a-kind home to see what it looks like. I think it would be a big 177 mistake to destroy the history which this building holds by demolishing it, 178 especially for another storage facility! I truly feel it will be a big mistake to destroy 179 this building, and I will forever resent looking at a storage facility in its place. 180
181 Ron & Denise Latouche, Hooksett 182 183 Saving the circa 1930 Stone House article piqued our interest. Anyone motoring 184 along Hooksett Road takes a sudden, second look at this jaw-dropping house; 185 we urge RCA Holdings to please reconsider its demise. 186
187 Fritz Gaul, Hooksett 188 I urge you to take a step back and look at what would be lost. Modern movement 189 is not always the best. 190
191 Jane Ferguson, Hooksett 192 The stone house is a singular testament to some things that really matter: history 193 and craft and care and beauty in a land of quick marts and gas stations and strip 194 malls and malls that are dying. Hooksett has never been a town that placed a 195 value on such things and no one is asking to turn that tide. The math on the 196 stone house only requires the most basic of arithmetic and should be within the 197 power of the elected and appointed officials of Hooksett to calculate. Do the right 198 thing: Save the Stone House. 199
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200 Marion Orcutt, Manchester 201 I believe this historical property should be saved for architecture and history. 202
203 Jim MacDonald, Hooksett 204 Anyone who invests money deserves the opportunity to create more wealth on 205 their investment, as long as it is legal and meets all local stipulations. Having said 206 that, it is also incumbent on that same individual or organization to accept their 207 obligation that their investment meets certain moral and/or social needs. Storage 208 units, often ugly and uninspiring, are typically excellent investments, and are 209 typically in demand. This property has been for sale for quite some time, and 210 having a business which will generate tax revenue is good for the town. But I 211 believe it is important for the developer to be a good corporate citizen of Hooksett 212 and find a way to blend the existing structure into the design of the new units. 213 Goodwill can go a long way in being part of the fabric of Hooksett. 214
215 Chair Northrup: Let’s hear more from members of the audience.
216
217 Jim Walsh, 14 Whitehall Road: My wife and I live near CVS and this development is going to 218 have an impact on where we live and how we live. We moved here 36 years ago. I understand 219 the problems associated with this property. A shopping mall was proposed 20 years ago and 220 was defeated. I feel for the owners. I have been in the sign business for 45 years. I am a firm 221 believer that property owners have the right to do as they please, but stewardship is an 222 essential part of being a good neighbor. People don’t want another storage facility. I help people 223 put identifying signs to bring business. I don’t see why the Stone House has to come down. It 224 has a small footprint compared with the acreage. Think…do you really want to take it down? It 225 will attract more attention than a sign.
226
227 Kate Marquis, Manchester: Stone House Storage is a great name! I have read that 25% of 228 millennials who are looking for where they want to live want uniqueness – flavor and heritage. 229 This is a landmark and an icon. This is the type of building that will bring in young families.
230
231 Chair Northrup: As part of public awareness, we posted notices on some public Facebook 232 pages. There were hundreds of comments, shares and likes. Many recognized the push and 233 pull of preservation and development. The comments favored preservation, one way or another. 234 One expressed a childhood dream to live there. Another said the Stone House is now 235 surrounded by gas stations and pizza parlors; 90 years after, it is in a commercial district. One 236 comment noted that tourists visit to see places like the Stone House, not storage facilities.
237 We set up the change.org petition to gauge interest. We couldn’t restrict it to Hooksett. People 238 all over the state are interested. It is eligible for the NH Registry of Historic Places and therefore 239 we included all of New Hampshire. The invitation to sign was to “urge RCA Holdings LLC to
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240 reconsider demolition.” A similar example is the Chandler House in Manchester. As of noon 241 today, there were 7,140 signatures. Yesterday, there were 750 Hooksett signatures. 242 Surrounding communities such as Manchester, Candia and Suncook had 2,041 signatures. 243 From New Hampshire, there were 4,232 signatures. Of the total 7,140, 640 left comments. 244 Most praised the beauty of the house or talked about its significance. Many were against 245 storage facilities in general and others against this one in particular. Remembrances were 246 offered. Many wrote of the importance of preserving historical things. Most of the others favored 247 continued use, reuse, or sale/subdivided sale. Some of the other comments included these:
248 ➧ I believe we need to protect historical locations and objects.
249 ➧ They are part of Hooksett's story. I also believe that any business venture, small or large, 250 within Hooksett's borders is beneficial to the town, but not at the loss of our history. The are 251 many sites around town where a storage facility could be stood up that would be less 252 intrusive. Also, does Hooksett really need another storage facility in town?
253 ➧ Please find another way!!! Once it's gone, it's gone. These historical treasures are a large 254 part of what makes NH special. It's our responsibility, as residents, to preserve them for 255 posterity, and for the rich tapestry of beauty and history that they add to our everyday lives--and 256 to those of the many visitors who flock here every year, to experience what we (often) take for 257 granted. A satisfactory alternative can certainly be found in this case.
258 ➧ Hooksett needs to balance its character with its desire to expand.
259 ➧ We can’t lose our history, especially for something as commonplace as a storage facility.
260 ➧ This is such a unique property. Imagine the pride of the builders when they completed its 261 construction!
262 ➧ Come up with a better plan. Build behind it. Figure something out.
263 ➧ Always fascinated me because it was so vastly different from every other home in the town.
264 ➧ I'm sure with a little planning, the storage company can work The Stone House into their 265 plans.
266 ➧ The architecture is a rare display of masonry craftsmanship.
267 ➧ Do something positive with this beautiful building!!
268 ➧ It’s just one of those houses you drive by and you can’t help but wonder the history behind the 269 walls.
270 ➧ No more storage units! Especially when they replace beautiful architecture!
271 ➧ Craftsmanship in this home is beautiful.
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272 ➧ Please sell it to someone who will restore it and not tear it down...
273 ➧ I'm new to Hooksett and this is a beautiful building that should not be lost to destruction.
274 ➧ Needs to stay and be repurposed
275 ➧ Please find a way to keep its simple beauty and save it from being demolished.
276 ➧ Come on Hooksett. Another storage facility? There are enough storage facilities. There is 277 only one remaining piece of history of this form in our area.
278 ➧ I love this house. It’s a part of Hooksett, like Mount St. Mary’s and Robie’s Store.
279 The applicant and the owner were furnished copies of the comments. 280
281 Chair Northrup: When I was a little girl, I thought it was a castle.
282 J. Sullivan: The Heritage Commission is assigned the task of looking at buildings 50 years old 283 or older for which a demo permit has been requested. This building is important, especially 284 since it is eligible for State and National Registers of Historic Places. The public has the 285 opportunity to offer alternatives without impacting the plans of the developer. If the requirements 286 are met for a development, it must be allowed. It seems that the Planning Board, ZBA and 287 Conservation Commission are willing to work with the developer. I am a member of the 288 Economic Development Committee, which helps developers pursue tax breaks for certain types 289 and locations of development. I have lived in Hooksett for 53 years, and my family has been in 290 Hooksett since 1917. Four of the buildings with which my family had connections were possible 291 candidates for this type of review. I have seen a lot of landmarks torn down or burned down. If 292 the demo permit review had been in existence, some may have been saved. Stewardship is an 293 important concept. Regardless of whether or not we need another storage unit, this 294 development could be accomplished and the Stone House could remain. That area has 295 changed dramatically in 50 years. It would be a shame for it to be demolished. If they want to, 296 it’s up to them, but if the developer is willing to work with the town and its agencies, it could be a 297 win-win.
298
299 Chair Northrup: I have been concerned about this house for a long time because it has been 300 on the market for a long time. I just never thought about it being gone. What might take the 301 place of a building is not a major consideration. It’s not the merit of the replacement but that the 302 existing building contributes and has value and should be kept. There were an overwhelming 303 number of comments about the need or want for another storage facility in Hooksett, especially 304 at this location, and especially at the loss of an historic structure.
305
306 Chair Northrup: I contacted a few leaders in historic preservation in New Hampshire. Some 307 excerpts from their letters:
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308 Nadine Miller, former Deputy Historic Preservation Officer 309 I recommend avoiding demolition, if at all feasible, and having some meaningful dialogue 310 about redesigning the site. 311
312 Jennifer Goodman, Executive Director of the NH Preservation Alliance (a state-wide private 313 preservation organization) 314 This is an irreplaceable landmark property. Over the past 20 years, the Preservation 315 Alliance has averaged 100 rescues/redevelopments per year. We have a toolbox with 316 incentives and preservation tools to assist in this process. It can be a win-win. With 317 public policy at all levels of government committed to preservation, there are incentives 318 for commercial and residential development of historic properties. 319
320 Elizabeth Muzzy, retired NH Preservation Officer & Director of NH Division of Historical 321 Resources; (professional architectural historian with 30 years of experience) 322 Although Alfred Hebert’s Inspiration for the choice of the Tudor Revival style for this 323 house, his execution was spot on. A stone chimney, steeply pitched roofs, prominent 324 front gable with an arched window, arcaded walls and an eclipsed dormer all are 325 common characteristics of the Tudor Revival style. He chose to use local stone and built 326 the home himself. Hopefully, the building can be preserved via new use. From the list of 327 thousands of historical properties, only nine (9) are Tudor Revival style. The Stone 328 House is one of only about 35 buildings in the State constructed of stone other than 329 granite. 330
331 Joanne Duffy, Hooksett Town Planner, 2001-2017 332 I was disturbed to hear of the prospect of demolishing the Stone House. It is a unique 333 gem on Hooksett Road. Although the proposed use cannot be considered, there are six 334 (6) self-storage facilities in Hooksett, and self-storage will soon be a thing of the past. 335 Millennials don’t want their parents’ things. This is not the highest and best use. A 336 similar business on Route 3A incorporated the original farmhouse and barn into their 337 design. 338
339 Chair Northup: I have reviewed Planning Board records for the current year thus far. Three 340 subdivisions have been approved, made up of 60 single family homes. How many of these will 341 have features that the Stone House has? We could all probably point to 10 or 12 buildings that 342 are beyond saving; it’s called demolition by neglect, long vacant, no upkeep. The Heritage 343 Commission has struggled with our review of several properties. Most of the buildings have 344 deteriorated to the point that saving them is not feasible. When we see one in such condition as 345 this one, especially one so significant, our only choice is to advocate for its preservation.
346 While the area where the Hebert House sits on Hooksett Road has been commercially 347 developed, this doesn’t affect the integrity of its historical architecture. Without question, it's a 348 special landmark along Route 3. It is unusual and beautiful. It is in good condition and its 349 eligibility for State and National Registers is controlling; without question it’s a building of 350 importance. The Heritage Commission has found that loss of the building would be detrimental 351 to the town.
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352 I understand the owner has waited a long time, but I would like to suggest that we ask the owner 353 for just a little more time. With all of the publicity and interest generated by the planned 354 demolition, maybe a new proposal would surface. The members concurred.
355 J. Giotas summarized what was discussed and heard tonight:
356 ➧ The applicant could keep the Stone House and re-use it as an office for the business or 357 otherwise incorporate it into the project,
358 ➧ The owners could continue renting the house as a residence or otherwise,
359 ➧ The owners could subdivide and sell.
360 We would request an up-to-three-month moratorium to consider other uses. Perhaps a new 361 proposal will come forward. Local boards are willing to work with the developer. The alternate 362 Whitehall Road entrance could be pursued.
363 Members agreed to the summary.
364 Chair Northrup: The NH Preservation Alliance pledges to work in good faith with the owner and 365 supports the request for a three-month moratorium.
366 J. Potter: Please read Raymond Houle’s letter to the Commission.
367 Chair Northrup: Read the letter. (Full test of the owner’s letter is attached.) Paraphrased here 368 for the minutes: He wants the Commission and the public to have a better understanding of his 369 situation. He acquired the property 15 years ago through a bankruptcy proceeding; Mr. Cote, 370 the owner, owed Mr. Houle money he could not repay. He has had a large for sale sign on it 371 most of these 15 years. There have been proposals for offices, a retail mall, and restaurants, 372 but nothing has come to fruition. The Heberts themselves presented a plan in the 1980s to 373 demolish the house and build a retail mall. It is nearly impossible to heat, and the concrete 374 floors make it impractical to renovate. It is unfair of the Heritage Commission to interfere now. 375 He states that he is 85 years young and wants to move past the losses. He asks that this not be 376 delayed.
377 Chair Northrup: We appreciate all of your comments. Thank you for venturing out tonight to 378 discuss alternatives. We will be meeting with the developer and the owner in ten days. I ask 379 them to please get in touch with me regarding the delay request.
380 J. Giotas made a motion to adjourn at 7:40 pm. J. Sullivan seconded the motion. The Heritage 381 Commission members voted unanimously to adjourn.
382
383 Respectfully submitted,
384 Kathleen Donnelly 385 Kathleen Donnelly
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386 Record Clerk 387
388 ATTACHMENT A: Email comments submitted in lieu of appearance
389
390 ATTACHMENTS B: Letter from owner, Raymond Houle
391
392 (See below)
393
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394 (ATTACHMENT A) 395 396 DEMO PETITION - 1253 HOOKSETT ROAD, HOOKSETT 397 PUBLIC INPUT VIA EMAIL IN LIEU OF APPEARANCE 398 AT PUBLIC HEARING JULY 16, 2020 399 400 The Stone House is an intriguing piece of architecture, which, through no fault of its 401 own or its owners, finds itself in the middle of commercial properties that bear no 402 resemblance to it. Once upon a time, its neighbors probably had more in common with 403 it than with the buildings which surround it now. This house is unique, it has character 404 in both its design and its material, and also now because it stands out in a sea of 405 buildings without any distinguishing characteristics. Our town would be poorer if it 406 were to be demolished. This building should be preserved. 407 408 Roberta P. Grady, Hooksett 409 410 Many Hooksett people and travelers know this building and some of its history. It is a 411 landmark that really stands out in a modern world. Please don't tear down a piece of 412 the town's history.
413 Larry Maurice, Hillsborough (Hooksett 1953 until 2003)
414 Let them demolish it. It has no impact on anybody. Also, a storage building or 415 whatever would also be very trashy but it's their property.
416 Matt Nolet
417 I’ve lived in the area for nearly 50 years, and this property has always been of interest 418 to me. I think it would be a shame to destroy this building just to have another storage 419 facility on Route 3. I don’t care who owns it. If they bought the property just to tear it 420 down, they should be ashamed.
421 Margaret King
422 Aside from the historical significance of this house, my grandmother’s sister lived 423 here for several years which raises [conservation] interests to me. Let’s not make it 424 another Chandler house. It can never be replaced once it’s gone! I would love to see 425 the interior. As many times as I’ve driven past (I’m as old as the house) I’ve never
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426 been inside. I remember Green Lumber being on site and belonging to a family 427 member. Save the house...it’s worthy.
428 Dennis W. Brown
429 Seeing that the Facebook and Yahoo vehicles will not allow me to receive a petition 430 to endorse the "save the Hooksett stone house" document here in Thailand. I am 431 compelled to make my intention known about the campaign issue via this personally 432 endorsed letter. My name is Moe Longval, I am originally from Manchester and 433 Merrimack, and now I am a retired Expatriate Living in Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand 434 20280, since 2005. I am aware of the community concern about the Historical Stone 435 House slated to be razed in order to allow some irrelevant small business to replace it. 436 I am not able to be there to participate in the rally of the active campaign. I can only 437 holler my support from halfway around the world. ‘CAN YOU HEAR ME 438 HOOKSETT?’
439 Moe Langval, Thailand
440 I signed the petition to prevent the demolishing of the Stone House. But also want to 441 say this. The one thing Hooksett does not need is another storage facility, gun shop, 442 bank or auto supply store. Surely, there are other businesses that would better serve 443 Hooksett residents. The planning and building departments need to pay attention to 444 the overabundance of like businesses. Cannot believe we can’t find a useful owner to 445 replace Kmart. The Stone house is very unique and I know it would be expensive to 446 rehab, but it beats a storage facility. Just another way for the owner to later sell for 447 huge dollars.
448 Margaret Harlan
449 If RCA Holdings, LLC is going to build another storage facility, that Hooksett really 450 does not need in such a prominent location, then they should use the building as the 451 office for the facility. Renovate the interior for suitable commercial use and leave the 452 exterior. Landscaped and tidied up this would make a memorable location for an 453 office space. Have the storage units hidden in the trees behind the stone house. It 454 could be named "Stone House Storage."
455 Diane Bergeron, Hooksett
456 The demolition of this beautiful 1930’s stone house would be a tragedy. Certainly, the 457 people of Hooksett have a sense of history and cannot stand to see another storage Hooksett Heritage Commission July 16, 2020 13
458 unit be put in the place of such a "one of a kind" house. The fact that it qualifies for 459 state and national Registers of Historic Places should speak for itself in preserving this 460 structure. We, as Americans, are slowly losing sight of all the things which have made 461 us the special country we are. When we can destroy a beautiful house that has stood 462 proudly for ninety years and replace it with another barren storage unit, something is 463 missing from our historic values and our hearts. I would hope the owner and/or the 464 residents of Hooksett can find a fitting use for this unique structure. If properly 465 leveraged, it could actually enhance the owner’s business. Please consider your 466 decision well and realize, once this house is destroyed, you can never get it back. 467 Let’s try and save important parts of our New Hampshire History, which I believe this 468 " Stone House " illustrates.
469 Dawn M. Clancy, Candia NH
470 I’d like to express my opinion and wishes to save the stone house from demolition. 471 Hooksett Road is in need of a facelift. However, adding a storage facility is not going 472 to help. It would be nice to maintain and preserve some of the history of the town.
473 Lesley Patti
474 We need to keep more aesthetically pleasing architecture in Hooksett. We already 475 have way too many storage companies in our small town we don’t need another one. 476 If it is absolutely necessary to put in yet another storage company in that location, 477 then the original building should be kept as the main office as a condition of purchase. 478 Our town is becoming industrialized rather than a community that families will want 479 to move to. While growth is of course necessary, we don’t need to make our town 480 look so cold. Yes, my husband and I are residents. We love our town and would like 481 to see as much preserved as possible while allowing for growth and prosperity in 482 Hooksett. I feel one does not have to preclude the other. If there is something I can do 483 other than sign the petition, please let me know.
484 Kris Jeffery, Hooksett
485 Although I live in Candia, I would love to push for supporting to keep that very 486 unique house from being destroyed. I love to look at it every time I drive by. I would 487 love to go inside of it. Perhaps there is a way to save it. Turn it into a museum, or art 488 studio or something. I can't imagine what would go in there that would be worth 489 tearing down this architectural gem for. Thanks for allowing me to express my 490 appreciation for 'this old house'.
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491 Judi Lindsey, Candia
492 I have been going by this old building ever since I was a child of 6 years old and have
493 been interested in it and would like to say that, I don't think that it would be good to 494 take it down. I am for keeping it there as a landmark. I am now 66 years old and 495 would like to see the inside of this beautiful stone structure.
496 David R. Morin
497 Anyone who invests money does deserve the opportunity to create more wealth on 498 their investment, as long as it is legal, and meets all local stipulations. Having said 499 that, it is also incumbent on that same individual or organization to accept their 500 obligation that their investment meets certain moral and/or social needs. Storage units, 501 often ugly or uninspiring, are typically excellent investments, and are typically in 502 demand. This property has been for sale for quite some time, and having a business 503 which will generate tax revenue is good for the town. But I believe it is important for 504 the developer to be a good corporate citizen of Hooksett and find a way to blend the 505 existing structure into the design of the new units. Goodwill can go a long way in 506 being a part of the fabric of Hooksett.
507 Jim MacDonald, Hooksett, NH
508 Reading the important article about the historic home located in Hooksett in the 509 Neighborhood News. After reading the article and being an avid genealogy buff, I see 510 the value in preserving history. I believe this historical property should be saved for 511 architecture and history. Please consider my plea. I am living in Manchester NH. Just 512 arrived in May of this year. I am truly concerned about history being erased. I'm glad I 513 can make a potential difference for the positive.
514 Marion Orcutt, Manchester, NH
515 This building is very beautiful and I aspire to purchase it when I'm financially able. 516 This building is to be preserved to reflect our architectural heritage! To destroy this 517 masterpiece for the construction of "storage facility" is heinous. Please make 2020 518 less awful by heeding my request.
519 Evan G. Srinath Das
Hooksett Heritage Commission July 16, 2020 15
520 I would like to offer my perspective on the demolition of the stone house on Hooksett 521 Rd. Having grown up in a small rural town in northwestern Iowa, I have come to 522 appreciate the seemingly small things in life. When in reality they are huge. In my 523 hometown, there was a real estate developer who purchased, and subsequently 524 demolished, several old buildings. One was a grand hotel. At least it was grand in its 525 day. Another housed an opera house. Again, quite grand in its early days. I recall 526 going to the opera house for a couple of events when I was in my teens. I was amazed 527 at the woodwork and decor. I can only imagine how beautiful it was in the 1800's 528 when it was built. In the end they were leveled and replaced by unsightly modern 529 structures. All of the history is gone forever. I urge you to take a step back and look at 530 what would be lost. Modern movement is not always the best.
531 Fritz Gaul, Hooksett NH
532 I raised my three children in Hooksett, my memories of walking them past the Holy 533 Rosary Church, over what is now the Lilac Bridge, stopping at Robie's for Mrs. 534 Robie's sublime plain homemade donuts with chocolate frosting and a little red carton 535 of Hood's milk, and then off up the steep incline to the steeper stairs of the Arah 536 Prescott Library are some of the most precious of my life here. I don't know who the 537 quiet heroes were who assured Robie's still stands, the Lilac Bridge was created and 538 the Arah Prescott Library and original Town Hall haven't been razed for another 539 MegaMart or strip mall but they deserve medals. That we still have Mount Saint 540 Mary's and its exquisite example of International Style architecture in our beautiful 541 and brilliantly managed library is testimony to wise forces somewhere at work in our 542 town. If you asked my children to identify buildings in this town, those I just named 543 would be the only ones that would come to their minds other than those in the village, 544 Head's Cemetery, the Head mansion itself, the beautiful red farm house on the way to 545 Suncook, the classic 1960s A Frame near the empty lot where the China Dragon once 546 stood and the Stone House. Apart from the Pinnacle and the river, those are the only 547 landmarks worthy of note that remain in our town today. Somewhere there are 548 visionaries arrayed against the forces who have made Hooksett Road one of the 549 ugliest strips in our beautiful state. South Willow Street and Loudon Road are quaint 550 in comparison. I am not asking for our town to become a place where historic 551 preservation is important. I am only asking that when something has so much obvious 552 merit, that you not turn a blind eye. I ask our town fathers to please give the small 553 children with observant eyes something to look upon when they travel the bleak 554 landscape that has created this town's tax base. Let the stone house stand. Let Bluebird 555 and the old Wickes Lumber and the Route 3A storage yard be sufficient to serve the 556 14,500 souls who live here and nearby and need a place to pack their excess
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557 belongings when their basements and garages are no longer enough. K-Mart Plaza is 558 breathing its last breaths; perhaps it is time to turn your attention to its fate rather than 559 just planting the seeds for another business that will eventually fail. The stone house is 560 a singular testament to something that really matters: history and craft and care and 561 beauty in a land of quick marts and gas stations and strips malls and malls that are 562 dying. Give our children something to see and admire, as children so wisely do; they 563 can pick out the one treasure amidst the pile of junk. Recently, you let a modest white 564 home at the intersection of Martin Ferry's Road and Bypass 28 be razed and where it 565 once stood now lies a heap of off-road vehicles, old trash barrels and rotting plywood. 566 My daughter worked at the Manchester Historic Association when its director, after 567 searching high and low around the region, chose that classic and humble home as his 568 own, so much merit and history did he see in its simple architecture. Yet it was 569 destroyed without a thought to its date of construction or the history of its residents. It
570 was a modest but historic home, the kind of place that tells the story of a town's 571 development. Hooksett has never been a town that placed a value on such things and 572 no one is asking to turn that tide. The math on the stone house only requires the most 573 basic of arithmetic and should be within the power of the elected and appointed 574 officials of Hooksett to calculate. Do the math and do the right thing: Save the Stone 575 House. Please.
576 Jane Ferguson, Hooksett
577 I've been living in Hooksett since 1984 and I've always admired and wanted to go 578 inside this one-of-a-kind home to see what it looks like. I think it would be a big 579 mistake to destroy the history this building hold by demolishing it, especially for 580 another storage facility!! I am not able to attend the meeting but I'd like my opinion as 581 a Hooksett resident and taxpayer to be heard. I think a building like this could be a 582 great location for a restaurant like Pickity Place in Mason. If not a restaurant, maybe 583 just a historical site for the town of Hooksett; a museum for people to go inside and 584 learn about the early settlers and how the town developed. I truly feel it will be a big 585 mistake to destroy this building and I will forever resent looking at a storage facility 586 in its place.
587 Donna Stavrou
588 Please accept my comments to save the stone house. We are losing more and more of 589 our history every day with the removal of the historical statues. Cities and towns are 590 becoming more and more commercial with the destruction of beautiful structures and
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591 replacing them with the ugliness of commercial buildings. A storage facility in that 592 area will certainly take away what little beauty is left to that area. Perhaps Hooksett 593 can find a better use for the stone house. Perhaps a library or a home for a historical 594 society. Maybe a church. Several years ago, there was talk about destroying the 595 Rumford School in Concord, NH. Instead, the building still stands and is filled with 596 artisans. Perhaps Hooksett could do the same with the stone house. I have a special 597 love for the stone house. Many years ago, there was some tree removal in that area 598 and the shavings were left on that property. I used to go over there and get the 599 shavings for bedding for my horse. I always loved that house and always look toward 600 it when I go by as it brings back special memories. Back then you could ride your 601 horse from Mammoth Road, down Hooksett Road all the way to Robie’s Store 602 without the worries of speeding traffic. Back then there were fields and forests for the 603 entire ride. Now the area is filled with stores, commercial buildings, parking lots. The 604 beauty of this nation seems to be disappearing more and more every day. I ask that 605 you do not destroy the beauty of that historical 1930 stone house. To my knowledge 606 there are no other stone houses with the historical significance or character that the 607 stone house has. PLEASE KEEP THE STONE HOUSE.
608 Laurie Gill
609
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610 (ATTACHMENT B)
611 July 14, 2020
612 Dear Board Members,
613 I am writing this letter to you so you can better understand my perspective as the owner of the property 614 and the Stone House.
615 I acquired ownership of this property fifteen years ago through a bankruptcy proceeding of the former 616 owners the Cotes. I was owed a lot of money by Mr. Cote which he could not repay.
617 For the last fifteen years I have had the property for sale and have been unsuccessful in procuring a 618 buyer. The Stone House has been marketed to all sorts of interests whom could possibly utilize the 619 building such as restaurants, retail shops, offices, etc. There has been a very large For Sale sign on the 620 property for most of this fifteen-year period and nobody in the town felt compelled to buy it and save it.
621 While the house looks interesting its concrete and stone construction makes it nearly impossible to heat 622 and it’s all concrete floors make it impractical to properly renovate.
623 Even the Hebert family had submitted a plan to the Town of Hooksett in 1980’s to demolish the house 624 and build a retail mall. I have attached the Hebert Families planned Tower Village sketch.
625 Having waited fifteen years to finally recover some of the money lost on this property I feel it would be 626 completely unfair of the Heritage Commission to now interfere in the development of this property.
627 As I am now 85 years young, I am asking you to please not delay the approval of the demolition permit 628 so my family can move past the losses incurred relating to this property.
629 Raymond Houle
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