An item on tonight's Historic Preservation Commission agenda is a "Survey of 413 properties for Proposed Historic District."
This proposal has been in the works for some time, but a reader tells Plaintalker that residents have not been given details and will be protesting tonight.
"We have received not one piece of communication," the reader states.
If the proposal goes forward, it would bring the number of historic districts to 10, although some do not have active district associations. As I recall, the process involves completing a survey of all properties within the proposed boundaries and evaluating whether properties contribute to historic significance or are non-contributing. Architectural elements, prominent builders and owners and current condition are among items considered in evaluating a building.
The meeting is 7:30 p.m. in City Hall Library and the proposal is pretty far down in the agenda. If in fact a crowd shows up with questions, perhaps it will be moved up.
--Bernice
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None of the 413 residents have ever been officially notified. We have asked for neighborhood informational meetings and each one has fallen through. We are not interested in having to get approval for any changes/repairs to our homes visible from the street. We do not want to pay a $60 fee to fill out an application for this approval. The HPC ordinances should be on peoples property deeds since they restrict the property owners freedoms. Please attend this ONE meeting if you are concerned about being in the propposed district. Wil
ReplyDeleteIt would be helpful if we knew where the proposed district was, otherwise why would we attend?
ReplyDeleteLet's guess. The "reader" is the woman whose house is advertised as being in the Hillside Historic District? I serve on the HPC. The process is preliminary which all of the people who have attended meetings know. There are many steps before a District is designated. Your "reader" is taking advantage of the Historic District title even though she's not in it and wouldn't be in it. Pure ego and vitriol.
ReplyDeleteNo map has been made public, but homeowners in the southwest part of the Second Ward are on the alert.
ReplyDeleteTo Pat:
ReplyDeleteNot the case, but it points up the issue of people wanting to claim the prestige of being in a historic district, while others are ready to fight the designation.
Proposed district includes virtually all properties bounded by Watchung Avenue to the north, Woodland Avenue to the east, Marlborough & Thornton Aves to the south and Kensington Ave to the west. There are a couple of outliers, too, but these are the general boundaries.
ReplyDeleteI had thought the HPC had a web site, but this url: www.plainfieldhistoricpreservation.com is not operational. In the interest of transparency, why isn't the web site up and running with maps of the proposed areas posted for all to see.
ReplyDeleteWhat is really sad is that Carol Bicket is not the "Reader", so you are wrong (again). And even more pitiful is that the HPC is NOT sharing a MAP of the proposed district. Clearly the HPC is NOT being above board. I have sent Bernice the proposed district map so all can see who are in it.
ReplyDeleteWil Gipp
Who elected the HPC? Does the committee get paid for what it does? Who pays them? Taxpayers? Does the city get money from the state or federal governments when districts are designated historic? And if so, into whose pockets does that money fall?
ReplyDeleteI've heard that the HPC can put a lien on a property if the homeowner does not get approval to make changes to his house. That building across from the Plainfield train station -- the one that collapsed -- wasn't that designated historic? Doesn't seem like the HPC was able to keep it standing.
Sounds like you get Pretension, Arrogance and Temerity, with a good dose of condescension, for your $60 approval fee...
To all Plainfield residents,
ReplyDeleteAs an outsider, and potential homebuyer, I would get behind the HPC and as many historic districts as you can. Plainfield's history is the only thing that is currently appealing about it. Preserving your housing stock and ensuring that the architectural integrity of each property remains intact is key to returning Plainfield to its full potential. Without the enforcement of these districts, you risk demolition and becoming another town of capes, split levels and general suburban blah.
It is definitely an added cost and a nuisance, but think of it as insurance. It prevents someone from moving in across the street and forcing you to look at an eyesore. I currently live in Queens, and the number of tudors with plastic and shiny chrome awnings above the door are enough to make anyone with a sense of historical consistency weep.
I read CLIPS everyday and the fact that I am still intending to buy in Plainfield, in an historic district, despite the truly frightening trend in gang violence and challenging public school system, is a true testament to the appeal of your beautiful, preserved homes.
Think of the town overall, less about your personal plans for your home, and more about what a less scrupulous neighbor may do.
Best,
Potential Plainfielder
To Potential Plainfielder: yes, please come--we need people like you!
ReplyDelete