Historic Preservation Board Blocks Demolition of Building That No One Can Identify or Locate

The Briarwood Historic Preservation Board voted 4-1 Monday to deny a demolition permit for a structure at what is believed to be 447 or possibly 449 Elm Street, despite board members being unable to confirm the building's address, construction date, architectural style, current condition, or present existence. 'This building, wherever and whatever it may be, represents an irreplaceable piece of Briarwood's architectural heritage,' said board chair Meredith Cornice. 'We cannot allow demolition to proceed until a thorough historical assessment has been completed, which of course requires us to first locate the building.' The confusion stems from a demolition application filed by property owner Stan Parcel, who described the structure as 'the old shed thing behind 447 Elm.' Board members conducted a site visit but were unable to identify the specific structure, as 447 Elm backs onto an alley containing 'several shed-like structures, none of which Mr. Parcel's application clearly designates.' 'I pointed at it,' Parcel told reporters. 'I walked them to it. I put my hand on it. They asked if it was "the one with the potentially Italianate window" and I said I don't know what that means, it's a shed with a window. They took notes for forty-five minutes.' The board's denial letter characterizes the structure as 'a vernacular outbuilding of undetermined provenance, potentially dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, exhibiting features consistent with no particular recognized style but possessing an "aura of historicity" that warrants further study.' Parcel has been advised he may reapply in six months, pending completion of a historical survey that the board estimates will cost $15,000 and take one year. 'It's a shed,' Parcel repeated. 'It has a hole in the roof. There's a raccoon living in it. The raccoon, I'm told, is also historic.'