The Marblehead couple that wants to raze a century-old home on Marblehead Harbor and build a 27% larger one on the same lot — stirring controversy in town and on social media — has won approval from the Planning Board for the new construction.
Holly and Jerome O’Neill purchased 84 Harbor Ave., not far from the Eastern Yacht Club, in April for $3.65 million. They currently live on Orchard Street.
“For what was in front of us tonight and considering all the comments of the public, I am inclined to support this,” said Planning Board Chair Bob Schaeffner at the Dec. 12 meeting.
The Planning Board was not allowed to consider the couple’s plans to knock down the original house.
“The property owners have a right to demolish the home,” said Paul Feldman, representing the O’Neills. “I hope that doesn’t become a distraction.”
Hundreds of people have taken to social media to lament the plan to tear down the original property, which is recognizable from Marblehead Harbor for its copper roof, octagonal tower and stone archway.
“It is very sad to see this lovely house go — it’s representative of the early mansions built on the Neck in the late 19th and early 20th century,” said Pam Peterson, chair of the Marblehead Historical Commission, last month. “It was built by the same architect who built the Corinthian Yacht Club.”
Planning Board member Steve Leverone asked if the O’Neills might consider keeping some of the original house and the archway.
“I wonder if the existing house could be retained as an accessory structure. Has any thought been given to keeping the arch, the full stone wall and perhaps having something that would … create a memory piece for the harbor?” he asked.
Feldman said the owners do plan to keep the seawall but not the archway.
Photographer Rick Dodge, who led the social media campaign to preserve the house, spoke at the meeting.
“It’s one of my favorite houses on Marblehead Harbor,” he said. “I did hear from over 400 architects and architectural historians.”
The O’Neills’ architect, Tobin Shulman, displayed several drone photos and renderings, which show the new home would not significantly impact neighbors’ views or change the nature of the neighborhood, he said.
“Its scale fits right into the neighborhood; it’s not as big as some of the adjacent homes,” he said. “By preserving the sea wall and creating the open space, it’s also consistent with what we have on the abutting properties.”
The O’Neills attended the meeting via Zoom but did not speak.
In a statement to the Current last month, Jerry O’Neill wrote, “We have lived in Marblehead for over 21 years and value its unique history. The existing house is in poor condition and is located on top of the coastal bank above the harbor. In consultation with environmental specialists and considering factors such as climate change expectations, building a new home away from the coastal bank is the only reasonable option to address this situation.”
O’Neill continued, “We have designed a home in full compliance with all zoning requirements and are not seeking any exceptions or relief from those requirements.”
Attorney Kenneth Shutzer spoke against the plan for neighbors Erin Pararas and George Pararas-Carayannis, who live at 89 Harbor Ave. He claimed the O’Neills’ plans are illegitimate because they include square footage from a right-of-way next to the property that does not belong to them.
Feldman denied that, saying the O’Neills have a stamped land survey that shows the land belongs to them.
Schaeffner told Shutzer he could appeal when the plan goes to the Zoning Board of Appeals, which is the next step.
Neighbor Meredith Tedford spoke in favor of the O’Neills’ plans.
“The complainant’s attorney used the same tactic of a last-minute kind of red herring” when she was trying to build a dock on her property, she said, referring to Shutzman’s claims about the right-of-way. “The reality is, as a neighbor and an abutter, I’ve looked at these plans, and they seem completely in line with the neighborhood.”
Town Planner Becky Cutting said the O’Neills’ ZBA hearing will likely happen in January or February. She also said the O’Neills would need to get a demolition permit from the Building Department.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
