The nomination of Spruce Hill as a Historic District has created considerable contention in the
community and on this listserv.
Residents who have been in favor of historic designation or not in favor, agree that historic
significance is separate from the preservation of architecture and our homes.
The new Bill 040156 (NCD) can revitalize Spruce Hill in a manner that, compared with “historic designation”
(HD) will provide a more democratic process of designation addressing needs and preferences of the individual
property owners.
Spruce Hill has approximately 16,000 residents who should be informed before ANY designation is enacted.
Request that SHCA withdraw support from the Historic District Nomination to give
all property owners and residents the opportunity to become informed and weigh
our options for designations.
The current proposed “HD” designation will impose excessive regulations on residents. In some cases,
this may discourage owners from improving their properties at all.
Although the Historical Commission is obliged to hold meetings open to the public and formal hearings at
which interested parties can express their views; they are not obligated to pay any attention to the concerns
of owners or residents when it is time for them to recommend designation, we see this as a grave flaw in
the historic designation process. The Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) will provide
a vehicle for preservation while addressing these critical process issues.
However, be warned, that the NCD will still need to be handled responsibly within our community
to make sure that it does not become another “elitist” tool of gentrification.
Our work is not over.
S.
