In the spring of 2017, the Historic District Commission met at 205-211 Thames St. to make a decision on issuing a Certificate of Appropriateness for the preservation of the Gladding Buildings/Azevedo Properties. Our family negotiated with the town to save the historic structures from demolition by personally investing heavily in the preservation and restoration of the town-owned properties.

The Historic District Commission paid attention to the smallest details of the plans and had one additional request of us. If there were enough original windows left in the buildings, would we restore them and move them to the Thames Street side so that the historic village streetscape on Thames could be preserved? We complied.

This historic working waterfront neighborhood contains important buildings; the only remaining original tin shop on the United States coastline; an original counting house built of stone used as ballast from African Slave Ships; and timber-framed taverns and shops with original or restored raised-paneled fronts. They should remain as the feature of the area. Each one of their histories ties Bristol’s historical importance to the world of trade.

Then came the Belvedere proposal across the street and preservation and protection of Bristol’s historic village streetscape vanished. New construction in historic districts is called “Infill Construction.” It is supposed to blend into the neighborhood, not dominate it. This large, hulking structure features 170 feet of garage at the street level facing Thames Street.

All of the rest of the neighborhood has small-scaled buildings with welcoming entryways on the street level. According to Title 45, Chapter 45-24, the Zoning Board must require evidence that “the granted variances will not alter the general character of the surrounding area OR impair the intent or purpose of the zoning ordinance or the Comprehensive Plan AND that the relief to be granted is the least relief necessary.”

A developer needs to prove that there is no useful purpose of a property without the variances. There are many useful purposes for this property that fall within the zoning law. Several smaller buildings would fit the area nicely and be profitable.

“The fact that a use may be more profitable or that a structure may be more valuable after the relief is granted is not grounds for relief.” – RIGL Zoning Ordinances Chapter 45-24 §45-24-41.

Tonight, the Zoning Board of Review will hold a public hearing to decide on the fate of our historic working waterfront neighborhood. The developer is seeking 15 variances from the law. We need all people who care about the character of our historic working waterfront to attend the public hearing and support upholding town zoning ordinances, the Comprehensive Plan and the law.

It is our hope that the Zoning Board do its job and uphold the zoning ordinance requirements.

Tom and Marianne Bergenholtz
Bristol