Another reply from DIRT, land use law listserv

MDK
_____________________________-
>
>From: "Housum, Ginny" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: RE: Demolition by neglect

>
>I don't know if the term has a commonly recognized definition.  We sued
>an owner of a historic property not in a historic district, but subject
>to a facade easement, for violating the easement by neglect, but in that
>case, the easement required that the property be maintained in the same
>condition.

The owner brought the property up to standards.  In that>case, we had an
architect and contractor, both experienced in historic>preservation go
through the property and point out the items which were>not consistent with
the historic status of the building (rotting wooden>window sills, bad
tuckpointing with grout that was not consistent with>the standards,
limestone gargoyles which were literally fading away).>The architect's
report was a key element in bringing the suit.  I have
>to emphasize that the case did not go to trial, so I don't know what>would
have happened in court.

>Ginny Housum
>[log in to unmask]