Permit holds up demolition of historic house

UPDATE: As of Tuesday, the house at 250 Gulf Street was still standing because the owner had not secured a demolition permit due to some technicalities. City officials expect that once those technicalities are resolved, however, the permit will be issued. It doesn't look like an historic house on Gulf Street will be saved from demolition, despite the efforts of preservationists to keep the bulldozer away. The house was expected to be demolished this past Friday. The home is the Elijah Bryan House, built about 1790, and located at 250 Gulf Street. The current owner applied for a demolition permit in June, and Milford's city historian imposed a 90-day delay on the demolition, which provided a short window of time for concerned parties to seek out alternative solutions, such as finding a buyer for the house. Former City Historian Richard Platt said the house is significant because of its architecture, which is a Dutch half gambrel, similar to the Sanford-Bristol house on North Street that was saved from demolition at the beginning of the year. “It's one of six historically significant houses in Milford,” Platt said. “Three of them are on Gulf Street.” According to city records, the house was owned by the late Donald and June Poland. A demolition sign in front of the house says it is now owned by the couple's son, Lance Poland, who has not yet been reached for comment. Although one of the preservationists trying to save the house said the owner wants to raze the house due to its condition, city records show that the house and property appraised at $351,000 last year. Also, Platt said he's been told that the late owners kept it in good condition. Michele Kramer, president of the Milford Preservation Trust, said she recently went inside the house, and she wishes she hadn't. “It is beautiful,” she said, and that fact makes her even sadder that the efforts by herself and others did not pay off. Sources said the local preservationists raised more than $200,000 in 24 hours, with the understanding that the owners might sell for that price. The deal fell through, though, and preservationists expect the owners will demolish the house on Friday, when the demolition delay runs out.