Demolition of a registered historic building officially has a process for review and rules to avoid “demolition by neglect” in Langley.

The city council passed the city’s ordinance that outlines how and why a historic building, and what defines a historic building, can be torn down. One point of contention for Councilman Thomas Gill was the inclusion of rules specifying how a new structure could be built on the bluffside of First Street — with 5-foot setbacks per floor and 30-foot street-front articulations. Though he agreed with those dimensions, he said they should be their own ordinance or be in the design review purview, calling them “tacked on” and outside the scope of the original ordinance. Director of Community Planning Jeff Arango defended the specifications because it clearly articulates the city’s formerly vague design standards to keep the “look and feel” of Langley.

“That, to me, is the one defining thing,” said Arango, referring to the 30-foot building width along First Street between Wharf Street and Anthes Avenue. The dimensions are remnants of Langley’s founding when the settlers laid out 30-feet-wide plots.

The ordinance replaces an emergency ordinance that temporarily stopped the acceptance of applications to demolish historic structures, a measure that was approved in response to inquiries about tearing down the Dog House Tavern by its owners, Charlie and Janice Kleiner.

The couple met with Arango and Mayor Fred McCarthy last week with their architect to again discuss renovation plans. The city is also looking at a land swap, giving up part of the Anthes Avenue right of way west of the First Street building for land along Seawall Park. To give up part of a right of way, the city will have a public hearing Nov. 17 for the partial street vacation. Arango said the Kleiners’ plan envisions a restaurant or bar at street-level, an events rental space in the basement, and a residence at the top floor.