Harwich Historic Commission Approves Two Demolitions, Sends Bank Street Project Back for Redesign

HARWICH -- March 18, 2026, Harwich Historic Commission approves partial demolition at two historic properties but continues a contentious Bank Street case. The commission, meeting March 18 with Acting Chair Bob Doan presiding and all four members present, unanimously approved porch and egress reconstruction at 97 Route 28 per plans dated March 17, 2026, and a two-phase partial demolition and addition at 34 Oak Street, a structure built in 1820, per plans dated March 15 and February 12, 2026, with conditions including Marvin true divided-light windows and brick veneer on all new foundation. The third application, for a partial demolition and reconstruction at 166 Bank Street, the circa-1826 Alfonso Weeks House, listed on the state's MACRIS inventory, was continued to April 15 after members raised concerns about historical significance and design character. Member Lindsay Lissack noted the original builder's father was a documented Revolutionary War soldier; member Paul Doan said of the proposed redesign, "if Mrs. McCracken came back and looked at this house, she'd wonder if she was in Harwich Port or Dedham." The commission identified five specific design modifications it expects applicants to address, centered on preserving the Cape Cod three-quarter-house appearance visible from Bank Street.