11/04/1998 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 11/4/98 AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION " ~ Dennis Lambert, 25057 Carey Lane, does not believe there is an immediate need to put a moratorium on building in the historical business district. It is his belief that an action right now would be reckless and frivolous and serves absolutely no purpose to benefiting the community unless there had been an outcry of people from the area. Mr. Lambert does not believe it is proper for a Councilman of another ward to propose this legislation. He believes the legislation should be sent to committee for a public hearing. Law Director Gareau responded that Mr. Lambert had not talked about the aspect of the project. As a former Councilman in Fairview Park, Mr. Lambert should know that a Councilman represents the entire city. Although Mr. Lambert might not have any respect for the historical significance of buildings within the city, there are people who do. Our country's courts have upheld such action in order to protect the integrity of historical districts. Councilman Gareau responded that he is the Chairperson of the Building, Zoning and Development Committee and it is his responsibility to oversee projects that come into the city. Based on his education, experience, training and desire to protect the interests of the city, it is his desire to see that we have a zoning plan that best serves the interests of the residents. He believes that there is a need to preserve what few historical structures we have left in the city. If we cannot preserve them, then to at least insure that development in those areas is consistent with a plan of historical atmosphere. It is not his desire to stop somebody from developing or deprive anyone of his or her property rights. This is simply a building moratorium for six months. We will have committee meetings on this matter and will bring in representatives from the Landmarks Commission to come up with a plan that best suits this area. Mr. Lambert responded that the plan would carry more weight if it had come from the entire BZD Committee. Also, he believes that these types of movements should originate from the residents. Mr. Lambert also said that he did not believe 50-year-old buildings should be considered as historical. He does see some uniqueness to the structures in question, but wondered if that uniqueness was worth causing hardship to owners and perhaps damaging the integrity of a community which has built its success on development. Councilman Miller, a member of the BZD Committee, noted that the historic value of these buildings was discussed at prior BZD meetings before this was formalized into legislation. He personally expressed a concern that the city preserve those buildings if they were structurally sound. Councilman McKay noted that a number of years ago the Butternut Ridge area was declared a historical area. Sharon Hartzell, 4566 Porter Road, lives in the ward in which the historical area is located and believes the legislation is good. Also, she believes the area is very unique and should stay that way. John Haas, 25800 Vita Lane, who represents Cletus and Albert Haas, the owners of the building at the corner of Porter, Butternut and Lorain roads, said that there currently is a contract of sale on that building as well as on some of the other properties in that area. The Haas family wonders why this has to be an emergency measure, why Council wishes to do this "all of a sudden" and what good will it do? Councilman Gareau answered that the moratorium is simply a measure to preserve the status quo for a finite period time to ~•~ give Council time to review this project and future projects for the area. At the end of six 5