Laserfiche WebLink
page 7 <br />boundaries to the petitioning group. This decision <br />was based on these four conclusions: <br />--the proposed district failed to meet the four <br />criteria for the establishment of a historic <br />district, as mandated by city ordinance and by HPC <br />procedure <br />--the proposed district did not meet the generally <br />accepted criteria for local historic district <br />designation <br />--an insufficient number of historically contributing <br />structures existed within the proposed boundaries. <br />Only 38 % of the primary buildings were historically <br />contributing <br />--the proposed district was too large for the current <br />HPC staff to administer. <br />Mr. Holycross then summarized the basis of these four <br />conclusions. The neighborhood, he said, is primarily <br />a working-class district not markedly different from <br />others of its kind in the city. While the area did <br />portray a group of people within a historic area, it <br />was not a particularly distinctive example. Further, <br />the area was of only average education value. <br />Many alterations, additions, and ahistorical building <br />materials existed, all of which detracted from the <br />area's historical context. In the past five years, <br />according to a recent windshield survey, the number <br />of contributing structures had declined 16%. Thus, <br />while pockets of structures which might qualify as <br />historic districts existed within the area's <br />boundaries, the area as a whole lacked an adequate <br />concentration of historic structures to warrant <br />designation as a historic district. <br />Mr. Holycross pointed out that to add the entire <br />district would approximately double the HPC staff's <br />workload. Also, the Near Northwest Neighborhood <br />Association had yet to demonstrate sufficient owner <br />support for the district. He cited the petition sent <br />to the Common Council, which had only 63 <br />signatures --approximately 16% of the area's <br />homeowners. <br />Finally, Mr_ Holycross said that the staff's proposed <br />alternate districts were, at this stage, mere <br />suggestions. At least 6 month's preparation time was <br />needed, he felt, before any alternate proposals could <br />be formally advanced. He asked the HPC to grant <br />these six months. <br />Mr. Luecke then made his presentation. First, he <br />apologized for the shortness of the 90 -day review <br />