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The building still meets three of the criteria: <br />1) Its embodiment of elements or architectural design, detail, material or <br />craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristic or innovation; <br />2) Its suitability for preservation; <br />3) Its identification with the life of a person or persons of historical significance. <br />The site and structure fulfills criteria #Ias a wonderful example of a late 1800s Italianate <br />style residence. Its main features are its brick walls, gable decoration and the wonderful <br />bowed windows and window hoods, all are classic Italianate features. <br />The site and structures fulfills criteria #2 as an example of an 1880's workmanship in the <br />popular Italianate style with little change to its original fabric. <br />The site and structures fulfills criteria #3 by its association with the very prominent <br />Metzgar family. <br />The petitioner is requesting to remove the landmark status from the entire 41.66 acres, <br />currently referred to as the Risler Farm. At February's meeting, the petitioners expressed <br />an interest in compromising by retaining the landmark designation for the house while <br />rescinding the designation for the rest of the property. However, the staff has not <br />received anything in writing to this effect from either Mrs. Risler or her representative, <br />Mr. Hardig. The staff would concur that a compromise is in order regarding this <br />property. With the surrounding development and lack of connection between the house <br />and the farm land there is a strong case for approving the removal of the farm acreage <br />from the landmark designation. <br />The staff feels that under no circumstances should the landmark designation be removed <br />from the house and that simply retaining the designation for the house and driveway is <br />not enough. The staff recommends that landmark designation for the house and <br />surrounding two acres should be retained while the remaining 39.66 acres be removed <br />from landmark designation. Retaining the house with two acres will protect the <br />surrounding wooded area as well as protect the house from road widening, future access <br />roads to the new subdivision and the intrusion of new homes to the visual impact of the <br />house. The staff feels this is a more then fare compromise. Should the owner wish to <br />retain more the two acres with the house for future sale they will need to notify the <br />Commission immediately. If the petitioner agrees with the staff recommendation they <br />will then need to have both parcels of land surveyed and issue the complete legal <br />descriptions to the Commission before the Commission can start the proceedings for <br />rescinding of the landmark designation on the agreed upon parcel of land. <br />5 <br />