Stone Place Denied Listing on Historic Register

Stone Place Mill, a condominium development slated for construction in a historic mill complex off Washington Street, has had its application for listing on the National Register of Historic Places rejected by the National Park Service.

Victor Sheen, a partner with the project's development management group Oakgrove Residential, said the application was rejected because part of the original mill complex will be demolished.

The rejection means the developer will not be eligible for a federal tax credit for historical preservation, but Sheen said the project's financing will not be affected.

"From the beginning we hadn't anticipated getting approval, so it has no impact," Sheen said.

Sheen broke the news on Monday night at a meeting of the design subcommittee of the Melrose Planning Board. Members of the Melrose Historical Commission were also in attendance to give their input.

Due to the poor condition of the slate roof of the building, which can not be sufficiently sealed to keep out water, the developer will not be able to preserve that historical aspect, Sheen told the board.

Although board members were disappointed the roof could not be preserved, some suggested that the slate could be preserved for use in other restoration projects.

Sheen said that would be considered, but many of the slate tiles could be lost in the process of removing them.

Preserving the mill building's historic qualities is still a top priority of the developer, Sheen said.

"We will still do it to the highest level we can afford," he said. 

One aspect the members of the Historical Commission wanted to see preserved is the building's dormer windows. Sheen said the dormers will be reconstructed as part of the design.

"We wanted to see certain design standards on the roof and dormers," said Denise Gaffey, Melrose city planner.

The city spent more than two years creating a special zoning overlay to encourage "smart growth," mixed-use, and transit oriented construction in the old industrial zone.

Earlier this month, Gov. Deval Patrick approved special legislation to grant the Stone Place Mill developer a partial property tax deferral, which was requested by the developer and approved by the city.

There is a memorandum of agreement between the developer and the Historical Commission about standards for preservation. But the original plans submitted to the commission by the developer did not include preservation the slate roof.

Sheen said the developer did not want to count on meeting the more stringent federal standards for the historic register.

"It was a clear decision to get the new roof," Sheen said. "That by no means changes our commitment to keep the dormers and historic characteristics."

The developer will appear again before the design subcommittee at its August meeting, to provide updates and show a reworked design for the landscaping at the mill building.

Board members were concerned about noise coming from air conditioning units on the side of the building and wanted a landscape buffer.

Sheen said the developer is still awaiting approval for a loan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which he expects to be approved by September.

With financing in place, the developer will begin construction at the site on a 16-18 month completion timeline.