Appealing the Approval of COA 13-357 - the demolition of 129 East 2nd Street

[sheclown]

1.) Identify which structures should be considered to be contributing structures

Well, we still have a contributing structure dilemma.  See the "missing" steeple thread:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,15296.0.html

2.) Develop specific guidelines for the alteration, construction, relocation or removal of designated property;

pretty much done -- on the books

3.)Promulgate standards for architectural review which are consistent with standards for rehabilitation established by the United States Secretary of the Interior;

don't know what "promulgate" means -- but they do spend a great deal of time on standards for architectural review

4.)Approve or deny applications for certificate of appropriateness for alteration, construction, demolition, relocation or removal of landmarks, landmark sites, and property in historic districts;

Seems to be the bulk of their duties

5.) Initiate plans for the preservation and rehabilitation of individual historic buildings;

problem here:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,18752.0.html

6.) Undertake public information programs including the preparation of publications and the placing of historic markers;

not a biggie -- doesn't come up much except lately in Springfield.

7.) Conduct public hearings to consider historic preservation issues, the designation of landmarks, landmark sites, and historic districts,

see # 5 above

8.) applications for certificate of appropriateness

95% of their time is spent on this.

9.)  nominations to the National Register of Historic Places;

Seems like more of this lately.  Joel is on a roll.

10.) and Administer Chapter 307, Ordinance Code.

The City Council declares as a matter of public policy that the preservation, protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of landmarks, landmark sites and historic districts is a public necessity because they have a special historic, architectural, archaeological, aesthetic or cultural interest and value and thus serve as visible reminders of the history and heritage of this City, state and nation. The City Council finds that this Chapter benefits the residents and property owners of Jacksonville and declares as a matter of public policy that this Chapter is required in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety, welfare and economic well-being of the people.

ooops -- not working too well for us.

[sheclown]

I stated before that I love the historic planners and admire the commissioners.  That stands.  What I don't like is the disproportionate amount of limited energy spent on the minor details while a neighborhood is being wiped out.

I challenge them to refocus their precious energy, and do it soon.

[Cheshire Cat]

I stated before that I love the historic planners and admire the commissioners.  That stands.  What I don't like is the disproportionate amount of limited energy spent on the minor details while a neighborhood is being wiped out.

I challenge them to refocus their precious energy, and do it soon.

I very much agree!

[sheclown]

PSOS will be paying the $610.00 to file an appeal.  This will be heard during July's meeting.

[JaxUnicorn]

PSOS will be paying the $610.00 to file an appeal.  This will be heard during July's meeting.

Sheclown, do we know whether the owner of the property will be in attendance?  I hope she is....

[sheclown]

Yes

[JaxUnicorn]

PERFECT!! 

[sheclown]

[sheclown]

The appeal is being heard this afternoon at HPC meeting.  We'll be there and let you know what happens.

[Bridges]

The appeal is being heard this afternoon at HPC meeting.  We'll be there and let you know what happens.

So, if recent events are any indication, we should expect it to be demolished tonight? 

[strider]

The house was already demolished as an emergency as solely determined by Kimberly Scott, MCC department chief.  We are appealing the COA to try to prevent this from happening again.  But I would not be surprised if some other house comes down because we are questioning Scott's authority.  Heck, Scott took down 253 East 2nd St with NSP funds as an emergency and the city was supporting the purchase and the  restoration of it with NSP funds. Unless someone stand up to her, she will take whatever she wants.

[strider]

Our appeal was denied.  It was denied because the intent of the law, according to them, is to never, ever question the decisions of Kimberly Scott and that the word "application" means something totally different when it applies to Municipal Code Compliance "applications" than it does everywhere else in the world.

Basically, we learned tonight that while the Historic Preservation Commission can bully a 78 year black woman who has done an amazing job restoring her true Victorian house over the color of the roof she would like to use, they can not grow a set long enough to stand up to Municipal Code Compliance's Chief.

God help Springfield Historic District because apparently the HPC won't.

[sheclown]

The commission could have shown some leadership, they could have stood for preservation tonight. 

They did not.

Nor are they likely to any time in the future.

If the Historic Preservation Commission won't protect the historic fabric of this city, who will?

[sheclown]

Joe addresses the commissioners

http://www.youtube.com/v/Ab0E8duvuMs?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

Doesn't even matter.

[Cheshire Cat]

This is not good news.  Gloria, do you have any idea when the commission is due to elect new members?  It certainly appears they could use a new perspective on preservation.