RECENT COMMENTS
Eric S. Huffstutler on What is up with the Church Hill Post Office?
Eric S. Huffstutler on What is up with the Church Hill Post Office?
Yvette Cannon on What is up with the Church Hill Post Office?
crd on Power Outage on the Hill
Union Hill O&H discussion goes city-wide
06/02/2009 3:53 PM by John M
Style Weekly takes a look at some of the discussion engendered by the move to designate Union Hill as Old & Historic:
Union Hill […] is poised to clear the first hurdle to officially becoming one of Richmond’s old and historic districts. But some of the area’s residents are less than enthusiastic about the looming designation.
One of them, Buddy Corbett, a longtime Richmond bouncer, worries that the Commission of Architectural Review, which must approve all modifications to homes in city old and historic districts, isn’t up to the task.
There’s a reason why Oregon Hill has NATIONAL historic recognition but not City O&H designation.
For one thing, Trani and VCU evidently do not care about any designation.
I thought we had been clearing hurdles for at least the past year and that, in fact, the neighborhood already voted for this thing. What hurdles remain?
The designation will need to be approved by the Planning Commission and then City Council.
We are ready for the designation to be put in place. This is taking too long. I thought it would be in place by now.
The Union Hill City Old and Historic District designation is tentatively scheduled for the Planning Commission’s July 20, 2009, meeting at 1:30 pm in the 5th floor conference room of City Hall.
A public comment period will be part of the Commission’s review of the proposed district.
One way you can stay up to date on the proposed Union Hill City Old & Historic District at http://unionhillrichmondva.blogspot.com
Martha and Buffalo, the designation of Union Hill as a City Old & Historic District is a legislative process. By definition, it is deliberate and time consuming, with many steps along the way.
The Union Hill Historic District Initiative is a grassroots effort and we are the “citizen-sponsor” of the proposed city ordinance.
We invite you to join in our effort to preserve the future of Union Hill. Contact any of the folks below and learn how you can help: Matt Conrad, matthewconrad@gmail.com, 938-7654; Elaine Odell, elaineodell@gmail.com, 788-4617; Bill Conkle, junkifunki@aol.com, 649-3764; Kristin Friedline, ruthie923@yahoo.com, 308-1461.
I like Buddy a lot, but does anybody who knows what is really going on here doubt that he is a stand-in for Jennie Dotts? This ongoing attack on the CAR has its origin in her and her tarting up the exterior of her home on Broad Street, and she has apparently taken on the destruction of the CAR because of the Commission’s interference with her remodeling plans for her sidewalk and front facade.
I’ll bet five bucks that you will find that Mrs. Dotts is directing and advising the suddenly loquacious Buddy. I’m all for public debate and perhaps a revaluation of CAR is needed. Nevertheless, I resent what I believe is one person orchestrating their personal agenda this way.
I remember buddy corbett as a commenter on this blog. It seems that at one time, he was a very prolific commenter. I really doubt he is a “stand-in” for Ms. Dotts.
yea, right on broad, it is a big conspiracy. if you are against city ohd telling you what to do and what color paint to use then you are involved with the conspiracy, this only illustrates how fucked up the proponents of the ohd are and how they are willing to do and say anything to rule your neighborhood. by the way, you might find the lindberg baby under the grassy knoll.
See? Now she’s calling herself “bill.”
I just believe that Union Hill will be better off 25 years from now, if we bite the bullet and support an Old and Historic District now. With the number of buildings in need of renovation and the large number of vacant lots available, we stand a good chance of losing the historic sense of place that is unique to Union Hill.
There are two important errors/misleading statements in the Style story. These have been pointed out to the Style editorial staff, but bear repeating here:
Factual Error: The second paragraph reads “…the Commission of Architectural Review, must approve all modifications to homes in city old and historic districts.” That statement is untrue.
The City Historic Preservation Staff and CAR are only concerned with changes to the exterior of homes which are visible from the public right of way.
The use of the word “all” is wrong because “all” implies interior changes as well as exterior changes not visible from the sidewalk or alley.
The CAR doesn’t have any say in what you do with the inside of your home, nor any exterior changes which can’t be seen from the public right of way.
Also, City Staff, independent of CAR, can authorize a variety of exterior changes to homes. This means you wouldn’t have to wait for the monthly CAR meeting. Changes in paint colors, porch railings and decks just to name a few, can be ok’d by staff in the Historic Preservation Office in City Hall.
Because some folks might think “modifications” also means repairs, it’s worth pointing out that in a City O&H District, any repairs you make to your home’s exterior using the same materials, colors and designs DO NOT require approval by CAR or city staff.
Homes (and all other buildings) are grandfathered for their current exterior appearance the day the ordinance takes effect. This means the way your house (or your neighbors house) looks the day the ordinance passes is the way it can look forever (as long as basic city building code requirements are met which are the same for everyone whether you live in a City O&H District or not.)
Misleading Statement: Paragraph 7 reads: “An old and historic designation also would limit the kinds of new building in the neighborhood. ‘There’s nothing wrong with a little contemporary flair being scattered through your neighborhood’…”
Well, CAR actually agrees with the speaker’s desire to see modern architecture in Old & Historic Districts.
The Design Review Guidelines used by CAR are based on the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Rehabilitation. These Guidelines apply to all 14 of the City’s Old and Historic Districts.
Page 42 of the Design Review Guidelines expressly state that new construction, whether a new home built on a vacant lot or an addition built onto an existing home, should be contemporary in style yet compatible with surrounding historic structures. Furthermore, new construction is required to compliment the neighboring buildings in terms of ‘scale and mass’ which refers to roof lines, window and door openings, sidewalk setbacks, etc.
Get the facts: Go to the city’s website and download the Richmond Old and Historic Districts Handbook and Design Review Guidelines at http://www.ci.richmond.va.us/departments/communitydev/car.aspx (scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the PDF download link).
I’m afraid I really don’t see what all the fuss is about. If people don’t like the rules and guidelines that come with living in a historic neighborhood, perhaps they should leave. Preserving historic places such as Union Hill is especially important in our day, seeing as there is quite a bit of misinformation about the War of Northern Aggression, and future generations should be allowed unbiased historical data as to why secession took place (denial of states rights).