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Doesn't it just burn your tail when local and Federal Government Agencies step in and tell you what you can and can't do, costing millions of dollars to follow such codes, yet they don't have to follow these codes themselves?
The Wicomico County Health Department is parked inside this NON Historic Building, changing the entire scope of a Historic District concept. I can tell you that not long ago I was in negotiations for the Feldman's Building Downtown and I had the Historical people in from Baltimore to discuss tearing down ALL of the building there. They flat out told me the three story, (eye sore) building could not come down but the rest could.
So the answer is, let the Local Government buy it and do whatever they want to it but the hard working Taxpayers in the City can't. I'll add, I have single pane 100+ year old windows at 300 W. Main Street. The windows on the main floor had been replaced and I wanted to replace the 2nd & 3rd floor windows and they flat out told me, NO! They want me to pull out all the windows and completely rebuild them. I could put in new windows that look similar and stop all the air from coming in but they say no way.
The County & City need to make up their minds. I happen to think this building should be a prime example of anyone fighting this Historic BS. Time will tell.
The Health Deparment was put in the old JC Penney's building so Henry Hanna could unload it. The layout of the building was not conducive to the function of the health department, parking was deplorable, etc. Yet, it's there. Sort of like the Route 13 bypass that is just on the other side of Arby's by the Centre. That was to have started farther north, but then Arby's would not have been accommodated. It is no accident that Centre Road crosses 13 and is right beside Arby's. Look at old master plan maps if you doubt me--Wicomico has been in the hands of developers and special interest individuals for a long, long time.
ReplyDeleteI have a house in the historic district. The rules and the historic board were so confusing and irrational that if you just do the work regardless of the rules then you will get a small fine and the issue is solved. It’s easier to say I’m sorry than to ask for permission.
ReplyDeleteJoe, why are they preventing you from doing this? I'm asking this because the building across the street from yours that’s been converted into condos I think would be deemed an historic building? (The one next to the parker building with the dentist office in it.) That building has been gutted 100% inside and doesn't hold one historic feature in it still. They added eyesore penthouse additions on top of the roof that are covered in stucco that don't even match the brick facade. All the windows were yanked and replaced with energy efficient windows.
ReplyDeleteI think it’s ridiculous that someone can do this to a building down there on the plaza, yet you can't replace your windows, on a similar building.
The banker of that project above the dentist office sits on the historical society board. It’s all about who you know. In all fairness the new facade on the street level does match the original historical design.
ReplyDeleteYou're kidding me, right? They didn't have Dryvitt 100 years ago, first of all. Seconfdly, they should have made them use brick. I could go on and on but I'm probably wasting my time, Barrie.
ReplyDeleteFirst, you need to learn to read. I said "street level". Second, does this even sound like a "Barrie comment"? Third, you can't use brick for the penthouses because you can't that much weight on the roof. And for the closer; those apartments are probably nicer than any place in the area.
ReplyDeleteThe Historic Commission is an example of a committee that has been given--or has taken upon themselves--way too much authority. Because they have this autonomy, they exercise it to its fullest. I attended one meeting in which they were hearing, I think, seven cases. One young man had bought and was rehabbing a house on Light St. Any improvement on Light St. should be applauded. He had pictures showing the interior work he was doing; obviously,he was working very hard on the project. He showed the "Hysteric" Board a brochure with a picture of the front door he was planning to install. The door was in keeping with the "historical" nature of the neighborhood and was going to cost a considerable sum. The committee refused to approve it at that meeting, telling him to return. One of the members wasn't quite sure that the planned door looked historic enough! Another applicant wished to replace some third-floor windows, which would almost duplicate the look of the original ones. The committee hemmed and hawed over an inch difference and, as I recall, told him to return when he worked out that inch!
ReplyDeleteAnon 10:25 Isn't that Brynne Hayes & her old boyfriend's building?
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