Change seeks research into history of structures slated to be razed

ThisWeek CW 05/03/2012

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2012/05/02/landmarks-commission-change-seeks-research-into-history-of-structures-slated-to-be-razed.html

The Canal Winchester Landmarks Commission’s latest proposed change to Preservation District guidelines would require homeowners in that area to research the history of any outbuildings they want to raze before submitting an application for the demolition.

The group’s April 23 meeting centered on what Landmarks Commission President Patrick Lynch called “the rehab section,” which covers garages, outbuildings and demolitions.

“We often have people come in that just want a shed torn down, so are you going to have to hire an architect to review it for historical significance?” Commissioner Joe Messerly asked.

“The text I’m reading says to keep the form intact, so it seems like it’s leaning toward keeping them maintained. It seems like there is a gray area to all of this.”

Commissioner Brent Foley said the city of Columbus requires measured drawings before structures are torn down in its historic neighborhoods.

“This doesn’t say they need to provide a history of the building, but I think that should be in there,” Lynch said.

“We’re putting it on residents to prove a building can’t be saved, so if we ask them to research the history, maybe they won’t apply to demo it in the first place.”

When replacing or rehabbing outbuildings, Planning and Zoning Administrator Andrew Dutton said the current text specifically requires those structures to be visually compatible with existing buildings.

“I don’t know if that’s clear enough or if you want to make that text more precise,” Dutton said.

Commissioner Will Bennett and Foley said flexibility in the language is preferred.

“Vague can be good or bad, but it gives us more leeway,” Foley said. “I’m OK with it being flexible.”

Lynch said plans are for Landmarks Commission members to focus on a different section of the guidelines at each monthly meeting until all suggested edits to the guidelines have been made.

At that point, the proposed changes will have to be approved by Canal Winchester City Council.

Lynch said members will review new construction guidelines in the Preservation District at their May 29 meeting.