HPC Agenda 7/2010

[Ethylene]

While I knew I could not stay for the entire meeting, I had no idea it would run so-oooooo long. Did anyone else see the irony in our first speaker during the public session? This remote investor presented a pathetic case of I didn't know and ah shucks arguments to address his COA-Work in Violation even mumbling he wasn't opposed to tear down and stating he did not know the house was part of an historic district! In reality, there was no new work in progress, he was merely trying to sell the home and take the money and run. But, I couldn't help but wonder how the previous builder managed to perform remodeling violations and sell himself to this unsuspected (sap) fellow. There's a real catch 22 here for sure that needs to be revisited for future neighborhood sustainability. Am I missing something? Too harsh on this fellow?

[sheclown]

We often ponder why HISTORIC DISTRICT DO NOT DISTURB  WITHOUT PROPER CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS cannot be put on the property record cards since ASH SITE was so easily added.

[ChriswUfGator]

Chris, please get more familiar with who you are talking about.  And, Stephen, I'm kind of surprised at you saying some of those things as well.

Springfield Girl and her husband saved a Springfield home that had no roof for 15 years. They spent years at it, and it is an amazing home.  S.G. loves Springfield and it's old homes. I don't know the stories behind each time S.G. voted for putting a house on the demo track, and if I did, I may or may not agree with some of them, but I know she embraces preservation.

We just may have to disagree with her on some of the homes. :-)

Well I'm not trying to excoriate Springfield Girl, Debbie.  Im hoping that Commissioner Lisa Simon of the Historic Preservation Commission, formerly a Board Member of the Code Enforcement Board can clear up why the pre special masters board found it necessary to develop an ordinance which allowed them to demolish a building without getting permission from the Historic Preservation Commission while she happened to sit on that board?

Never mind that she was working for a developer involved in the same neighborhood....although ironically the developer's name came up last night at the Preservation Commission -----in the process of a new demolition request from Ortega, (where the developer moved once he abandoned Springfield, incidentally), apparently he would be building a new residence for the new owners, after the demolition, I think...one whose business model required empty lots in order to build new reproduction style houses on, and who was in serious competition with other builders like Kevin Gay from Operation New Hope for any properties in the area.

It elicited the response from one of the other commissioners: "I just can't understand why people come to an area claiming to love it, and then want to demolish the buildings.'.

I have no doubt that Springfield Girl has been involved in the preservation of some structures in Springfield.  As a private citizen.  In fact I have seen her do it.  But she has been cheek and jowl with these policies for at least three years.  As a Commissioner, no one is more responsible for the policy, and considering her history on the Code Enforcement board from which it originated, no one should have a better explanation of it.

What I am asking for a clarification of is her role as a public commissioner, and some explanation of how the 'formal track' changes were initiated.

+1

Like I said before someone was clearly asleep at the "Conflict of Interest" switch...

[CS Foltz]

Gee Chris................It would seem to me that "SRG" ,like the phoenix, is rising from the ashes from which it sprang! I hope they don't continue their evil ways but have a good idea, here they go again!

[ChriswUfGator]

Gee Chris................It would seem to me that "SRG" ,like the phoenix, is rising from the ashes from which it sprang! I hope they don't continue their evil ways but have a good idea, here they go again!

You really can't blame Bissette for this. He's a businessman, who wears his goals on his sleeve, and it's really pretty hard to fault him for it. For better or worse, what you see is what you get with him. He doesn't bug me because he was never pretending to be one thing and then doing another.

Which brings me to my real issue. That is SPAR. They pretend to be one thing while doing another, and undermined and demolished 1/3rd of a National Historic District, all while collecting money claiming they were trying to preserve it. It's beyond shady, and nothing has changed. Same evil group doing the same evil things. Look at their recent letter if you need any proof of this. They need to go.

[Timkin]

Gee Chris................It would seem to me that "SRG" ,like the phoenix, is rising from the ashes from which it sprang! I hope they don't continue their evil ways but have a good idea, here they go again!

You really can't blame Bissette for this. He's a businessman, who wears his goals on his sleeve, and it's really pretty hard to fault him for it. For better or worse, what you see is what you get with him. He doesn't bug me because he was never pretending to be one thing and then doing another.

Which brings me to my real issue. That is SPAR. They pretend to be one thing while doing another, and undermined and demolished 1/3rd of a National Historic District, all while collecting money claiming they were trying to preserve it. It's beyond shady, and nothing has changed. Same evil group doing the same evil things. Look at their recent letter if you need any proof of this. They need to go.

Not even realizing all of these facts, but the issues over the man with the Thrift Store and the condescending attitude expressed to him, I was under the impression that this group is looking out only to certain folk's interests, and not the Springfield community as a whole.

Mention was made of a Sub-committee.. Who would make up this subcommittee??  any way I can help???  ( I do not know alot about this area, but would certainly try my best to help)

[uptowngirl]

We've posted pictures of some houses in danger, houses that are sound just need some work, OK some need a lot of work. But here are some houses that did get work, so take a look and see what could be if we stopped demolishing our houses:

This house got a big makeover and it is gorgeous now:


Look at this First St. Beauty would you knock this down?:


How about this grand lady on 2nd , what if her owners had not come along:


Want an apartment instead:


Yes, these have been restored to their former glory, but so could the houses slated to be demolished. Just a picture of what we are REALLY losing.

[Timkin]

Beautiful !!!!

[iloveionia]

A neighborhood group of preservation advocates is going to build a positive relationship with HPC and work towards policy change that prevents unnecessary demolitions.  More information will follow in the coming 6 months.
We are focusing on Springfield, but clearly city policy change is for everyone/every neighborhood. 
Feel free to contact me.
Nicole

[AlexS]

Formal track is defined as following (as per Elaine Lancaster):

Chapter 518.300 details unsafe structures (formal track); the 6 to 9 months you are referring to is an average time period for the procedural process and are not covered by Chapter 518.

Also take a look at 2006-1363E. It introduced a few nice changes, e.g. "the Chief may approve the temporary securing of the building or structure".
http://citycirc1.coj.net/coj/COJBillList.asp?Bill=2006-1363

[sheclown]

Good Work Alex!!

[ChriswUfGator]

Alright Lisa you deleted your post so I'll spare you the response...shame...it was a good one...