Historic house
Correction: This story has been modified from its original version. — Correction: This article has been modified from its original version. The building and property at 103 S. Main St. had a total assessed value of $419,300 last year.
Director of Planning and Building Anne McClung said that Taylor, however, has not yet applied for a demolition permit, although she is now eligible.
“It’s been on the open market for a year,” McClung said, “so she is eligible to apply.”
If Taylor chooses to apply for a demolition permit, McClung said that the permit would be granted to the “entity who can do the demolition,” in conjunction with Taylor. Tayor cannot apply for a permit without having a demolition company co-apply.
Bush said two potential buyers have come into the picture.
“There’s one developer who wants the property but he’s not willing to buy it unless there’s a demolition permit included,” Bush said. “But another gentleman came along who has purchased an option on the property who wants to renovate it.”
Bush said that the individual who has purchased an option of the property would have the right to either purchase the property first, or else refuse to buy it.
“I’m hoping he will make this venture work,” Bush said. “The great news is if that happens, what that shows is that the process works.”
The board is currently considering an amendment to its ordinance controlling homeowners’ demolition of historic contributing structures, town ordinance 1222. The amendment, yet to be voted upon, would also restrict the new building that could be constructed on the property after the historic building is torn down.
There has been controversy among property owners concerning the proposed amendment. It was originally supposed to be voted on in December, but because of protests from homeowners, the vote was pushed back. Talks and town meetings are ongoing; Bush said he hopes for action to be taken on the amendment by March or April.
“It would help with the appropriateness of construction in the historic district,” Bush said. “We’re trying to ensure that big mistakes are avoided.”
However, McClung said the other party interested in renovating instead of demolishing Taylor’s house “is about to close on it.”
“He is trying to go through with the sale,” McClung said.
McClung said she expects the property sale to be completed within about a month.
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It would be cool if - as they did with the Alexander Black House - picked up the Taylor's and moved it to a site next to either the Black house creating a historic "compound" (and do a combined fund-raising effort _ seek grants from Historic Preservation Groups)...or it could be moved to the historic 'campus' that's been envisioned adjacent to the Odd Fellow's Hall in "new Town" off Prices Fork Road. That way the house is preserved and the site is cleared for new development to take place.
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The problem with this idea is that houses lose funding from historical preservation organizations and are taken off of the National Register of HIstoric Places once moved. The reason that the Black House has laid decrepit for five plus years is exactly that-- after moving from its original place within the sixteen blocks, it is no longer a historical place, just a historical object that is out of place. Millions were lost in funding due to this calculation, and I'd hate to see it happen to yet another historic structure.
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