Laserfiche WebLink
Corrected 10/4/99 <br />Mrs. DeRose noted that the Commission does not follow the State Statute because the <br />Commission was in existence prior to 1977 and thus the Council Attorney cannot use the <br />statute. There was some discussion over the fact that if the Commission likes the State Statute <br />then the Commission should amend the Preservation Plan to adopt it by ordinance. Mr. Talley <br />noted that he has been investigating new options for he new Preservation Plan. There was some <br />discussion over the fact that the current demolition requirements are much more stringent then <br />the State Statute. There was some more discussion over the fact that the Commission left the <br />door open for re -submittal because the denial was made based upon the lack of information. <br />Mr. Fine stated that it was a denial clearly based on the fact that there was not enough <br />information, which would allow Ms. Kopczynski to submit a new application. Mr. Talley <br />stated that the staff was under the opinion that the Commission had denied the application, but, <br />would entertain the subject again with more information. He then read pieces of the minutes <br />from the July meeting. Mrs. Gallagher stated that a motion would have to be made to alter the <br />Preservation Plan either allowing or not allowing applicants who have been denied to resubmit. <br />There was some discussion over whether or not rehabilitation is economically feasible and <br />whether or not the owner purposely ran the property down. ms. Kopczynski stated that <br />memorial Hospital was not responsible fore the foundation damage caused by bad soil. There <br />was some discussion over the fact that the wealth of the owner does not necessarily make the <br />project economically feasible. Mrs. DeRose asked the engineer if a new house was placed on <br />the site would it experience the same problems. The engineer stated that the design of the <br />existing house was incorrect for the soil located at this sight, causing the deterioration. Mrs. <br />DeRose stated that since the house was designed and constructed wrong the deterioration was <br />then no fault of Memorial Hospital. She further noted that the commission should make <br />tonights vote their final decision to give the applicant time to appeal. Mr. Zmyslo asked if the <br />applications were the same of different. Mrs. Saunders stated that the applications were <br />different. Mr. Zmyslo stated that since the major part of deterioration was due to soil problems <br />then it was not the fault of the owner and that the cost of rehabilitation would make the project <br />economically unfeasible. There was some discussion over at what point a project becomes <br />economically unfeasible. Mr. Zmyslo further noted that if the house was rehabilitated someone, <br />whether it be the current owner or a future owner, would take a large loss. There was some <br />discussion over the affect removal of this house would have on the streetscape. Mrs. DeRose <br />asked what the plans for the land would be if demolition was approved. Mrs. Kopczynski stated <br />that once the house is demolished the land would be marketed with the house next door as a <br />yard. She further noted that the lot is not big enough to install another house on. Mr. Fine <br />asked if it would be feasible to stabilize the house, then sell it. Mrs. Kopczynski stated that <br />there is still a considerable amount of interior and exterior damage which would leave a lot of <br />sweat equity for any potential buyers. Mr. Zmyslo moved to approve demolition of the house, <br />based on the presentation given by the engineer, the enormous level of deterioration, the <br />enormous cost of rehabilitation, with the stipulation that the house be thoroughly documented <br />with drawings and photographs of the interior and exterior prior to demolition. Mr. Fine <br />seconded the motion. The motion passed with Mrs. Gallagher abstaining. <br />6 <br />