WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock Resort Corp. is appealing the state Land Use Review Board’s denial of its permit to demolish two historic homes in the Village.
The Woodstock Resort Corp. filed its appeal last week with the Vermont Superior Court Environmental Division, according to paperwork provided by the business, which owns the Woodstock Inn & Resort in Woodstock Village.
Last month, the Springfield, Vt.-based District 3 Environmental Commission ruled against the Woodstock Resort Corp.’s request to demolish single-family homes at 14 and 16 South Street. The three-member board ruled that the demolitions “would have an undue adverse impact with respect to these Buildings, the Inn tract, and the Woodstock Village Historic District,” according to a copy of its decision, which was published March 23.
“Throughout its history, the Resort has remained committed to being a strong community partner — supporting local initiatives, contributing to the village’s economic sustainability, and providing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike,” Benjamin Pauly, director of property operations and design at the Woodstock Inn and Resort, wrote in an email.
“We recognize our neighbors’ concerns regarding the loss of the structures at 14 and 16 South Street and are confident we can address all Act 250 criteria. We take pride in our team members and the services we provide, and remain dedicated to working collaboratively to preserve the character, vitality, and shared future of Woodstock as a place we all call home.”
Beach House, located at 14 South St., was built around 1905, and 16 South St. was built around 1840. South Street is also known as Route 106, which is a state highway. The Woodstock Inn has owned both houses for decades. For a time, the structures were used as employee housing, but they have been vacant for more than 20 years.
The Woodstock Resort Corp. estimated it would cost around $6 million to renovate both homes.
In its decision, the District 3 Environmental Commission cited a 2009 permit it granted to the Inn to build a spa. In that agreement, the commissioners said that the two South Street homes “needed to be preserved and added this condition to protect them from neglect or demolition,” the commissioners wrote in their March decision.
The Vermont Superior Court Environmental Division will review the appeal and schedule a pre-hearing conference to discuss the case schedule going forward, Peter Gill, executive director of the Land Use Review Board, said in a phone interview.
If the court denies the Woodstock Resort Corp.’s appeal, the business could next appeal to the Vermont Supreme Court, Gill said.
