Monomoy Theatre Demo Denial Appealed

CHATHAM – The owner of the former Monomoy Theatre property is asking the select board to allow the demolition of the former playhouse at 776 Main St.

In an appeal filed Nov. 21, Chatham Productions charged that the historic business district commission’s Nov. 5 denial of its request to tear down the playhouse was discriminatory and overstepped its authority.

In the five-page appeal letter, Greg Clark of Chatham Production wrote that the commission had failed to show that the theater building was historically significant and was attempting to control what the site will be used for, which he said should have no bearing on the demolition. Clark wrote that Chatham Productions intends to construct commercial buildings on the site that conform to town regulations and will restore and renovate the historic Washington Taylor House, but plans have not yet been finalized.

The playhouse is too run down to renovate into commercial space, Clark wrote.

The select board will visit the site on Dec. 3, and Dec. 16 has been set as a tentative date for the appeal hearing.

This story will be updated for next week’s edition of The Chronicle.