Washington’s Historic Preservation Commission, during its meeting Tuesday, delayed acting on four requests for certificates of appropriateness to demolish four structures between Havens Wharf and the west end of Stewart Parkway.

The commission plans to inspect the structures before making a decision on the requests at its January meeting.

Greenville-based BBL Ventures, although it filed the demolition requests, would prefer something be done to preserve the Johns Havens Moss mill, Phillip Aaron house, Winfield Texaco service station and a manager’s office, if possible, and find other uses for them or possibly relocate some of the structures. Because those structures — on one lot — are not officially listed as historically significant structures, the commission cannot deny the requests for the certificates of appropriateness to demolish them, according to John Rodman, the city’s director of community and cultural resources and chief planner.

The commission has two options regarding the request for each structure: grant it or grant it but delay demolition for 365 days.

The lot’s width is 335 feet and its depth is 160 feet, according to the applications. The structures are in the city’s historic district. A National Register of Historic Places nomination form includes this statement about the property: “The complex now known as John Havens Moss Industries several blocks upriver still stands as a monument to Washington’s river industry. It no longer functions but remains a picturesque and well kept relic of Washington’s vital waterfront.”

Travis Stephenson, a Chocowinity resident, represented BBL Ventures at the meeting. Stephenson said he would prefer the commission grant the requests for demolition but invoke the 365-day delay provision to give BBL Ventures time to “pursue any and all options that make sense” regarding the fate of the structures. Commission member Geraldine McKinley referred to the mill, service station, house and manager’s office as “iconic structures in Washington.”

“This request, when I met with Emily (Rebert, the city’s community development planner) and put it in — I’m not expecting, nor do I want, approval, honestly, which may make this process seem ignorant,” Stephenson said. “It’s probably like our forth option. Since we don’t know what we want to do, and it depends on who may partner with, what the best use is, economic feasibility. … I said I’m going to put in all four buildings and get denied and start the clock ticking, based on the 12-month waiting period.”

Stephenson expressed concern over the structures’ ongoing deterioration from neglect, but acknowledged that the house is in good condition and service station is salvageable.

“Something should happen with the property. We’re going to be good stewards of it,” Stephenson said, adding BBL Ventures will work with city staff  “to continue uncovering options that are economically feasible, and we’ll preserve all we can if we get to that point.”

Dee Congleton, a member of the Washington Area Historic Foundation, advised the commission to reject the requests. “We all know this would forever change the look of the historic landscape. As you come across the bridge and come into town, that’s one of the main that we all look at. It’s areas like that that entice people to move to Washington,” she said.

Congleton said the “little house and service station could be part of a larger complex” that might be developed in the future.

Other speakers expressed concern with the possible loss of all or some of the structures, saying they are part of the downtown/waterfront landscape. Dot Moate raised the subject of the commission delaying action on the requests until it could inspect the structures.

If the commission decides to approve the demolition requests but delay demolition by 365 days, BBL Ventures would use that time to develop a strategy that addresses reuse of the structures and/or their relocation, if possible, “instead of watching them fall.”