Demolition Review Committee Agenda (minutes)
The Demolition Review Committee met on August 31, 2026, at Rye Town Hall. Present were David Choate, Elizabeth Sanborn, Frank Lagana, and Jenn Madden. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously, with E. Sanborn moving, F. Lagana seconding, and J. Madden abstaining. The committee reviewed two demolition applications. E. Sanborn moved that the house at 55 Myrica Avenue is not historically or architecturally significant, and its demolition would not harm the neighborhood. F. Lagana seconded. Despite J. Madden noting historical significance, the motion passed unanimously. For 44-A Mountain View Terrace, E. Sanborn moved the house is not significant. Owner Jim Carnevale confirmed demolition due to asbestos, with plans for a one-story ranch replacement compatible with the neighborhood. D. Choate seconded, and the permit was approved unanimously. D. Choate will notify the Building Inspector and submit Notices of Decision. E. Sanborn moved to adjourn, seconded by F. Lagana, approved unanimously. Source: https://www.ryenh.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08312026-746
MINUTES Demolition Review Committee Meeting 08/31/2026 D. Choate called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. at the Rye Town Hall. Present were: David Choate, Elizabeth Sanborn, Frank Lagana and Jenn Madden (Alternate). The Minutes from the 08/24/2026 meeting were approved as amended. E. Sanborn moved, F. Lagana seconded and J. Madden abstained as she was not at the meeting. Unanimous ap- proval. Purpose of today’s meeting: Review applications for the demolition at 55 Myrica Avenue and 44-A Mountain View Terrace. E. Sanborn made a motion that the house at 55 Myrica Avenue is not architecturally important nor historically significant and its demolition would not be a detriment to the neighborhood. F. Lagana 2nd. J. Madden thought the house is historically significant, but not worth a public hear- ing or site visit and its demolition would not be detrimental to the neighborhood. Unanimous ap- proval. E. Sanborn made a motion that the house at 44-A Mountain View Terrace is not architecturally important nor historically significant and its demolition would not be a detriment to the neighbor- hood. D. Choate 2nd. Lots of discussion: the demo application says the whole house, but F. Lagana showed pictures of a renovation. D. Choate called the owner, Jim Carnevale, from the meeting and he confirmed the plan is to demolish the house as they discovered asbestos in the joint compounds. The plan is to build a simple, one story, single floor living ranch house and NOT a McMansion. The re- placement will be compatible with the other houses in the neighborhood. A vote to approve the permit was taken: Unanimous approval. D. Choate will notify the Building Inspector of both votes and will submit Notices of Decision. Other business. D. Choate asked the members of the Committee to review the current DRC or- dinance to see how to make a meeting with the DRC the first item on the Demo Permit Checklist and not the last. E. Sanborn moved to adjourn, F. Lagana 2nd. Unanimous approval. Meeting adjourned at 4:03 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Sanborn