The Observation Deck

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Got this through email today...

LATE BREAKING NEWS...THE DECEMBER ABR AGENDA JUST CAME OUT AND THE SEMAANS
HAVE FILED FOR DEMOLITION. NOW MORE THAN EVER WE NEED YOUR ATTENDANCE AT
THIS MEETING. IF YOU CAN BE THERE, PLEASE CONFIRM TO ME SO I CAN PLAN ON
HOW MANY FOLKS WILL BE THERE. WE ARE FIRST ON THE AGENDA. THE MEETING WILL
START PROMPTLY AT 7PM.



Hi all,

The purpose of this email is to request your support and/or attendance at a
meeting before the Lakewood Planning Commission regarding the possible
Historic Designation of the Sly/Heideloff Mansion. This meeting is the
first of two meetings before the Commission. It will take place this
Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 7PM in the Auditorium at City Hall.

It is important to show the neighborhood, as well as the greater Lakewood
community think this designation should be approved since it is likely the
designation will come over the objection of current property owners: Stacey
an Michael Semaan. Attached is the application which details why the
property deserves designation. Most importantly...this is only one of three
remaining, original lakefront mansions. At one point there were 34!

One other side note: since the Semaans purchased the property, they have
done nothing to it except to mow the lawn and recently, trim the bushes at
the property's perimeter. This home is being neglected.

If you would like to discuss this matter, please don't hesitate to call me.
If you are unable to attend would you consider writing an email that I can
print and submit to the Planning Commission during the meeting tomorrow.

Thank you for your support.

Jeff Weber


PS. Please forward this email to anyone you believe would help us to obtain
the historic designation.








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Jim,

I thought City Hall went down this road already?

See http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9937.

Matt

Matthew John Markling wrote:Jim,

I thought City Hall went down this road already?

See http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9937.

Matt

The cluster home project you linked to was a proposal by a developer who was going to purchase the property but didn't. The current owners bought the property after that never transpired. Not the same people.

Valerie Molinski wrote:

Matthew John Markling wrote:Jim,

I thought City Hall went down this road already?

See http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9937.

Matt

The cluster home project you linked to was a proposal by a developer who was going to purchase the property but didn't. The current owners bought the property after that never transpired. Not the same people.

Thanks, Valerie.

Do you know whether these owners plan on selling to a cluster home developer?

Matt

So what does the historic designation achieve?

David

From their website:

Federal Level
The constitutionality of local historic preservation ordinances was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case Penn Central Transportation Company v. New York City, which was decided in 1978. Some people feel it is illegal for a city or village to tell them what they can or cannot do with their property, other than to insure healthy and safe conditions. However, the Supreme Court decision upheld the concept that a city can enact land use controls that preserve the aesthetic features of a city, including the areas that have special historical, archaeological and architectural significance. The court ruled that such laws do not constitute a “taking” of a property as long as an owner may still get a reasonable return from his property and the restrictions are closely related to promoting the general welfare of the citizenry.

State Level Ohio facilitates the establishment of local preservation legislation by providing for strong “Home Rule” through which local communities can utilize their general municipal “police powers” to designate groups of historic or archaeological properties, usually called “historic districts,” or individual properties (sometimes referred to as “landmarks”) as zoning overlays. This means that the legal use of the land does not change, but that an additional designation of historic “zone” is identified.

Local Level What the Supreme Court decision means to communities in Ohio is that the legal foundation for local historic preservation legislation is firmly upheld as long as there are well-thought-out criteria and standards, good hearing procedures, well-documented records and sound administrative oversight and as long as decisions are consistent and serve multiple public goals. Detailed minutes must be kept, historic sites and districts must be carefully researched and selected throughout the community, and design review decisions must be consistent and based upon sensible design guidelines which are readily understandable and available to the public.

What is a historic preservation ordinance?
The preservation ordinance is nothing more than local legislation (a law) enacted to protect historic districts, individual buildings and archaeological sites from destruction or insensitive remodeling. It is a legal means by which local communities can identify, evaluate and protect historic properties. Such laws empower a board or commission to regulate to a greater or lesser degree, the design of exterior changes to buildings within a defined area.

ESTABLISHING EFFECTIVE LOCAL LEGISLATION

The most effective local ordinances enable the establishment of a design review board or commission and the designation of local historic districts and individual landmarks. Ordinances of this type are called “enabling ordinances.” Most ordinances do not identify specific districts or landmarks in the ordinance itself. In this way additional historic properties may be identified and designated in the future.

http://ww2.ohiohistory.org/resource/histpres/toolbox/clg/clg-11.html
----


It would make make it harder to tear down, and easier to save. There are many grants and programs available
to save historic homes and buildings from falling apart.

I am not sure to the validity of this comment, but at one time I heard over 2/3rds of the homes in Lakewood
could at least apply for historic designation, and that entire neighborhoods like Birdville(Birdtown now),
Clifton Park, Scenic Park, Emerald Canyon Historic District etc. could be great ways to bring down the cost
of living in Lakewood while help to preserve what we have.

Last night ended with a stay of execution for the property and a win for the neighborhood.

.

Matthew John Markling wrote:Thanks, Valerie.

Do you know whether these owners plan on selling to a cluster home developer?

Matt

Matt:

As far as I know ( I read the ABR and planning dockets online), the owners came before P&Z and ABR several months ago (last year?) with plans to do a major renovation and addition. They bought the property after the failed attempt by the previous guy/developer. This was to remain a single family residence and I recall they were going to add some sort of other structure (guest house or carriage house or something.... it's been a while). It looked like they were going to put some major investment into the property, from what I saw.

Anyway, I guess something must have happened that they decided they would rather demo the existing and build new. I have no idea, but if they are going in front of ABR with it, the plans will probably be uploaded online soon.

I don't really think it is fair that the letter above references the new owners 'only' cutting the lawn and trimming bushes. When you are going to do a major remodel, going through plans, drawing them up, making changes, finalizing, getting pricing from contractors- that can take a lot of time. Why WOULD they mess with the house during this time until they have all of their ducks in a row? I don't believe they have owned it for very long... maybe a year or a little longer? The letter is implying they let it lie in neglect and that was calculated. Why would the owners pay an architect to draw up a whole remodel and addition and go in front of the city if they were plotting to demo the entire time? That does not seem accurate to me.

I have many questions...How does the neighbor know exactly what they are doing? Maybe they are inside doing stuff. Maybe they are getting plans, financing, contractors, etc to come in and help them. Maybe and just maybe the house is not safe. maybe the foundation is cracked, etc and needs extensive work. Well that takes planning and oh yeah lots of $$. I am sure the neighbors of this house who filed this notice would have a field day with our house. I could only imagine what they would say.

And another thing, how is it that a non-owner can declare a private property to be historic? And what makes it historic. My house is YEARS older, built by the son of the Nicholson's and we were on a historic walk before (google is my best friend). Should my house be historic?

And this is why I deal with dogs on a daily basis and not people....lol.