>bdugan writes: > >I am relieved that Councilwoman Blackwell has proposed to adjust the >role of the Historic Commission to make it more democratic and >accountable to residents. So, when I happened to get a copy of this >letter, I was astounded to read what the University City Historic >Society's take on the whole thing is (and I thought it should be >distributed widely):
Hi, Just putting in my 2 cents' here. I'm not adding the letter sent to out to members of UCHS (sure you've all read it by now), I am VERY happy to read this response. I read the letter - 3 times - just to make sure I was reading it correctly. Obviously, there is a great misconception that: > The Historical Commission has a policy of systematically polling for community > support, and only supporting nominations where there is community buy-in. Well, I know I was never polled, and neither were many other people I've spoken to. And for the most part, the people I've talked to are AGAINST HD, not for it. As far as the HC being "democratic" and the way in which the nomination by the SHCA was put in, there was and is nothing democratic about it. No one was notified that the nomination had, in fact, already been sent to the Historic Commission. This was found out only by either calling or emailing to verify what was at the time a rumor. I personally applaud Councilwoman Blackwell's proposal to make the entire issue of Historic Designation more democratic and the "powers that be" answerable to the community as a whole. This is a good neighborhood. It can and should be a better one. There are much bigger issues, in my opinion, than HD. Take a walk to, say, 45th and Sansom or 45th and Chestnut Streets - in the proposed HD area. Take a good look and tell me that this area is ready for HD or that that should be a priority. If someone wants their home designated, welll, we are already a Street Car Suburb District. You can get yourself designated, get your plaque for your home. As for the rest of us, please keep your HD and all it's rules and regulations off our homes! Oh, and just for the record - I'm not an owner, I'm a renter and will be long term. So yes, this issue does affect me and many other renters in the area. Thanks for letting me vent! ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
