Formal Request to HPC

[iloveionia]

My head is reeling, I am so tired I can hardly type, there is no time to process, just do, do, do.  But it is all for preservation.  I could do better with rest and more time.  But here it goes. 

The following was emailed to Lisa Sheppard tonight.  Please attend the HPC Meeting on Wednesday at 3 p.m.  I know most everyone works, but they only meet monthly. 

As a neighborhood we need to show a different face for Springfield and let them know we are NOT for demolition.  I am confident with a voice crying for preservation they will step up to the plate. 

Here is the letter (disclaimer, I am beat to the bone:)

[sheclown]

Nicole I think this is very well stated.

We also need to ask for an appeal on all of the impending demos. Or at the very least, a moratorium on any actual demolitions.

Get some rest!

[Debbie Thompson]

I, too, wrote to Lisa asking for a moratorium.  I couldn't remember where Nicole's letter was. I posted the text of my email on the 1647 Pearl thread.

[CS Foltz]

Ladies............I salute you all! Nice work and then some! HPC should well take heed and notice of the outcry from the Historical area's!

[Timkin]

Ladies............I salute you all! Nice work and then some! HPC should well take heed and notice of the outcry from the Historical area's!

As do I ..  Historic Preservation is so vital in our City, that has lost so much.. It is merely my humble opinion that we just cannot let anymore slip away.

[aubureck]

Has anyone thought about, or asked HPC about writing the Code Enforcement Department head asking them for a moratorium as well?  Its my understanding that demolition is their responsibility and they are required by Code to get HPC to weigh in on those that are within historic boundaries.  It seems to me that maybe they should be hearing this as well.

[sheclown]

Excellent point, aubureck.  We need to contact them as well.

Code enforcement is compelled to follow the ordinance.  The Icare complaints hit Elaine's computer and it is her responsibility to make sure the violations are resolved or the house is demo'd rendering the violations irrelevant.  

I think, as a neighborhood, we have tied code enforcement's hand in this.

That's why a concept like "mothballing" is so important.  It allows for a third alternative.  It is no longer repair or demolish.  It can be repair, MOTHBALL, or demolish.

[CS Foltz]

Good idea kid! Better to mothball then to bulldoze! Atleast the structure has a chance to be reborn, done in that manner, if razed.......all is lost and you end up with just another empty lot again!

[sheclown]

Has anyone thought about, or asked HPC about writing the Code Enforcement Department head asking them for a moratorium as well?  Its my understanding that demolition is their responsibility and they are required by Code to get HPC to weigh in on those that are within historic boundaries.  It seems to me that maybe they should be hearing this as well.

We need to remember that Springfield is like a sink of dirty dishes to code enforcement.  An embarrassment of complaints that need taking care of.  Of course they will deal with it.  It is their job. 

The bitter end of Icare complaints and rolling fines is demolition.

Code enforcement can't force anyone to clean up their house, but they can remove the house.