Mothballing Legislation under Attack!!!

[avs]

Schellenberg is on the Recreation, Community Development, Public Health & Safety Committee whose responsibilites include (note HISTORIC PRESERVATION):

Matters relating to recreation; public housing; economic development; affordable housing; farms; forestry; fish and game; parks; zoo; international trade and travel issues; Sister Cities program; Jacksonville Public Library; Parks, Recreation and Entertainment Department; Agriculture Department; Jacksonville Economic Development Commission; Jacksonville Housing Commission; Jacksonville Housing Authority; Community Services Department; ad valorem property tax exemptions; historic preservation; community revitalization; Waterways Commission; vessels for hire; Urban Services Districts; the Neighborhoods Department; education and schools; Duval County School Board; literacy issues; higher education institutions and issues; military bases; personnel and affairs; base realignment and closure (BRAC) issues; veterans' issues; Jacksonville Children's Commission; child services; public safety; motor vehicle inspections; collections; crime victim services; Sheriff's Office; Fire and Rescue Department; emergency preparedness and civil defenses; hospitals; Health Department; human services; welfare; health; and all related subjects.

[sheclown]

Letters from readers: Historic Springfield Houses
Posted: August 13, 2011 - 12:00am

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/letters-readers/2011-08-13/story/letters-readers-historic-springfield-houses#ixzz1Y9hxG3O2


Bill needs revising

Unfortunately, the editorial regarding the Springfield article distorted the facts.

Although the original bill stated that over 450 historic homes have been demolished in Springfield, when I inquired about the number, no one could verify it or provide data to back it up.

In fact, when the bill was discussed at the council meeting, a member of the Springfield Historic Society stated the number of demolished homes was more likely a third of the 450 listed in the bill.

Also, the editorial mentioned the five-year moratorium. But that was reduced to three years before passage.

Despite the erroneous figures present in the original bill (and in the editorial), I voted against the bill for two main reasons:

- The three-year moratorium granted in the bill is not a term of three years commencing from the date of the mayor's signature. In actuality, homeowners can use this three-year moratorium whenever they want. I will be introducing a bill to rectify this gross error in the bill.

- I believe in the free enterprise system.

It is not the place of government to interfere with the laws of supply and demand, to choose winners and losers, or to subsidize the failures of private investors.

We will learn from our mistakes, but only if we are allowed to make them.

Matt Schellenberg, City Council member

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/letters-readers/2011-08-13/story/letters-readers-historic-springfield-houses#ixzz1Y9hdaHs9

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[Noone]

Springfield- Help me understand. Gloria, Nicole, Debbie Springfielder, Bridges, tufsu1, Kenfsu, CityLife, and there are more. You all are very obviously organized and are creating change.

2011-560 is Shipyards/Landmar Gaffney's district and this represents $23,500,000 and in the next council cycle could be voted on and be history. Right now does anyone realize that FIND projects are being identified and you can ask for Klutho Park or Confederate Park as a dreging project or possible small Canoe or Kayak launch.

FIND has money.
City of Jacksonville will seek and provide the matching funds to Make It Happen. Attach an amendment for say $100,000 to 2011-560 for some secure money. Now, I have been advocating for the pier.

But if Springfield wanted a dredging project or any money from this settlement ageement I believe you need to ask. But again help me to understand how nobody seems to be concerned. What am I not seeing?

[Debbie Thompson]

Noone, sounds like you are talking about Hogans Creek.  While I would LOVE to see that project happen, and it would make so much difference here, some of the people you mentioned are actively involved in Preservation SOS.  Preservation SOS is about saving the houses. We do some small beautification projects, but it's primarily about saving the houses.  That's our focus.  If we lose that focus and move it to something else, historic preservation suffers.

[avs]

Yes, non-profits have to stay focused on their missions.  Sustainable Springfield would consider looking into this but, as an all volunteer organization, we are limited in what we can take on in our "spare" time.

[Springfielder]

As a member of Preservation SOS, I am more concerned with remaining focused on our mission, which is saving the historic structures within the historic district. I'm also VERY busy with maintaining the alleys, corners, etc., (moving, picking up trash and clipping back the overgrown limbs and brush) in the neighborhood. I spend most of my Saturday mornings doing just that, and when I can find more time, I'll do more. Between working full time, and what I've already stated, I simply haven't a great deal of free time to get more involved in other issues.

However, I have written to Gafffney and the council about Hogans creek, and supported your efforts. Yes, I want Hogans creek cleaned, dredged and maintained, but at the present....my main concern is stopping the city from destroying our historic district, and the demolitions that continue to happen at an alarming rate.

Obviously, your main interest is the creek, but don't fault others for not being able to devote the time to the same concerns, when we feel ours is just as important.

[Noone]

Strider started a new thread. Received some pm's I'll get back with everyone. I apologize for hijacking the thread. I still for the life of me have no clue why that duplex was bulldozed next to Hogans Creek. Just wanted to make everyone aware that the legislative opportunity for a FIND matching grant is now.

[Debbie Thompson]

Dang!  It's a matching grant?  I was going to ask if FIND money was available for historic preservation, but a matching grant means we'd have to match it.  Shoot.  All we have is energy.  And sometimes, even that flags. 

Except for Springfielder, who I saw pushing a lawnmower down Walnut Street this afternoon, going to mow another vacant lot, after she showed up at the 7th and Pearl roundabout this morning to help us straighten and stake the two trees someone mowed down when they missed the roundabout.

[iloveionia]

"Springfielder" Code for "lean, mean, mowing machine." 

[Springfielder]

Debbie, when you saw me on Walnut, I had already finished the corners of 5th & Ionia, and 6th & Ionia. I had stopped at several locations coming back from the Pearl street roundabout help, and did some branch/palm trimming on my way home.

@ Ionia...LOL

[sheclown]

2011-0577    ORD-MC Amend Chapt 307 (Historic Preservation & Protection), Ord Code, Secs 307.102 (Definitions) & 307.106 (Apv of Changes to Landmarks, Landmark Sites & Propty in Historic Dists), to allow a Sunset Provision for "Mothballing"; Create New Sec 307.308 (Sunset) to allow a Sunset Provision for "Mothballing"; Amend Chapt 518 (Jax Propty Safety & Maint Code), Sec 518.103 (Applicability) to Reflect Chapt 307 Sunsetting Secs. (Sidman) (Introduced by CM Schellenberg) Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 9/27/11

Public Hearing on this Tuesday night, full council.

[sheclown]

The neighborhood showed up in force at tonight's LUZ committee meeting.

The chair, Reggie Brown, waved more than a dozen yellow speaker cards in the air and insisted that CM Shillingberg have a noticed meeting with Lisa Sheppard and the concerned citizens before the next LUZ meeting (October 18th).

So, the issue was deferred.

16 people trekked to city hall to show their support. 



Not everyone made it in the photo.  Carmen, Jennifer, Dashing Dan, Jeff, Benda, Mark, Pat T.,  were there to support mothballing as well.

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU

My feeling is that Reggie Brown is giving Schellingburg a chance to save face and withdraw the ordinance for council consideration. 

[movedsouth]

Council member Schellenberg spoke briefly. I still don't quite understand his argument. Essentially he made two points:

- he thought the reduction from 5 to 3 years included a sunset clause, but well, it didn't. This argument (essentially the "I didn't know what I voted on") argument would make sense if he voted in favor and now had second thoughts about his vote. But he voted against it.

- the bill hinders "free market". First of all, IMHO, zoning rules are always restricting property rights in some way. They goal of zoning is more to provide people with the ability to plan long term. E.g. if I buy a house in a residential zoned area, I can be assured that my neighbor doesn't built a chemical plant. In that way, zoning restricts free markets. If anything, mothballing provides more options to owners to develop their properties instead of rejecting them. Having the city vote again in 3 years to overturn the sunset clause would just mean that the city is not letting free markets work itself out, and you don't get the ability to plan long term.

anyway. Lets hope Mr. Schellenberg decides to just shelf this.

[sheclown]

Very insightful moved

[iloveionia]

His councilmember colleagues seem to have given him a respectable way out.
He should take it.