Isn't it Ironic...don't you think?

Every passing day is a little more amazing than the previous in this city. Boy do I love being on the brink of some HUGE changes! April cannot get here fast enough, and frankly a few incumbent aldermen are coming closer every day to sealing the deal on their election chances. For those still interested in throwing your name into the ring, you have until the 18th at noon. Good luck!

Now, on to the question of the day:
Isn't it ironic that the people in this city wanting to preserve some of the past just happen to be those fairly new to Spring Hill?

I think that the young people in this city may be getting a bad rap! Any reasonable person would assume that the long time residents of a community would have more pride and desire in keeping those things that are special and unique to the community around for another hundred years. You would certainly think that those on the BOMA that have been balking at all of the positive development and changes in the city would want to give themselves a tool to guide development in various "historically significant" areas of our city, but that is not the case either. You would also think that the one person on the board that OWNS a couple of these historically significant pieces of property would want the option to help protect them. You (like I) think incorrectly, because that is absolutely not the case in Spring Hill.

Here is the situation...

Right now there is a section of the Subdivision Regulations that refers to a Historic Commission that does not exist. Now, we all remember that the BOMA voted in January to throw its weight around with the Planning Commission and the Subdivision Regulations (for a little history on the issue, see the post from January: Planning Commission...Why Do We Need It?) So, last Thursday night, this section of the Subdivision Regulations came up after the Planning Commission discussed at its work session the request by a developer to put a subdivision literally across the street of Oaklawn Historic Plantation on Denning Lane. The Planning Commission decided to ask the BOMA to either form the Historic Commission, or to direct the Planning Commission to remove this section from the Subdivision Regulations.

Let's rewind to November of 2005... Anybody remember the Purdy House that used to stand where Lowes is at today? At that time, Alderman Duda laid out an excellent case for the need of a Historic Commission on Franklin Koolaid.

Some points regarding the proposal for a Historic Commission that all must understand:

1. It is a totally voluntary method to provide some protection to historically significant properties;

2. It is not an overlay district;

3. The historic commission would only make design standard recommendations to the planning commission when a property that is contiguous to a registered property, is proposed to be developed;

4. The historic commission would only make recommendations to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for properties to be recognized as historically significant (after approval from the property owner.)

To be quite honest, this is probably the most passive historic commission that I have ever heard of. This piece of legislation does not require a property owner to do anything to their property. They are welcome to paint it pink and let it fall into disrepair if they would like to! On the other hand, it would do a great deal in giving the planning commission and Board of Mayor and Aldermen a vehicle to guide developments that come in adjacent to those properties. It would truly help improve land values, retain some of our history, and design developments in those areas that blend.

So, do you want to WHY there is so much opposition?

Come on...you don't have to think that hard because it is really quite simple.

Whose name has been mentioned a few times in this post as a supporter?

Ding Ding Ding! Jonathan Duda is bringing this to the floor; therefore, Sharon Cantrell, Viola Pickard, and Brandon McCulloch must fight it. Here is the funny part of it all. This is an issue (in an election year I might add) that should unite everyone on the BOMA, not divide them. This is an issue that Cantrell, McCulloch, Pickard, and Johnson should be pushing...not Gallardo, Mitchell, Duda, Leverette, and Ken York. By the way, I keep leaving out Charles Raines from the discussion, but he is very much opposed for obvious reasons, and I am not sure his mind can be changed. I guess it is a good thing that he is not running for re-election.

This issue will be voted on Tuesday evening. If you have any feelings on the subject, feel free to come to City Hall and speak on the issue. You will also have a chance to speak at the ballot box in April, and I have absolutely no doubt that your voice will be heard loud and clear then.

Enjoy, and we will see you on Tuesday.

Speaking of irony, there will be much more coming in the next few days.

...and a ton coming in the next couple of weeks!