As reported on in our last update, the Conservation Review Board (CRB) held a prehearing conference on Monday, December 2. The CRB heard submissions from the Town and SORE that the uncertainty about the Marotta group’s challenges to the Town’s designation of the Rand Estate under the Heritage Act has dragged on long enough and that they would like the CRB to proceed with its hearing. The Board indicated it would reconvene within the next 90 days to assist in identifying the issues for the hearing. SORE would like to thank the Town for its support in trying to move the CRB process forward after a year-long delay.
On a separate front, the Town’s prosecution of Two Sisters and Solmar for alleged violations of the Heritage Act when a large tract of the Rand Estate was clear cut last November is returning to court this week. The pretrial is not open to the public, however SORE looks forward to the Town updating residents on the status of the prosecution, including when this matter will finally proceed to a trial. SORE reminds our supporters that in the event of a conviction on these charges, the Town will be able to have any illegally destroyed heritage landscape features restored at the expense of Two Sisters/ Solmar.