Church Hill North Old & Historic moves forward
City Council approved the CH North Historic District last tonight 8-0. Can anyone closer to this explain where all of this fits in to the process?
City Council approved the CH North Historic District last tonight 8-0. Can anyone closer to this explain where all of this fits in to the process?
What this means is that the Church North Old and Historic District will definitely be established. When exactly this will officially happen, I don’t know. But for those of us that worked toward this, and supported it, it is very good news indeed.
Hi All:
As many of you know by now, Council voted 8-0 in favor of the Church Hill North Old & Historic District designation. Marty Jewel was supportive also, but was not in attendance.
We were fortunate to be pushed up on the docket as the first item on the regular agenda. I’m sure that Council was in session until the wee hours approving all the budget items for the next two years.
The public hearing went very well. We had 50+ supporters, all with our badges and posters. Several of us spoke before Council. Thanks to Saul Gleiser, David Herring, David Cooley (spoke like a true preacher’s son – you should be a pro, man), Harry Burt, Wanda Wilder, Randy Eggink, Jim Daab, and Mary Mullany for your impassioned and articulate speeches. Sorry if I forgot someone. I’m kinda fried today.
I was really blown away by how gracious and complementary Council members were of our efforts. That was a reward in itself. Reva spoke to Jim before the Council meeting, and told him that she was really moved by how much our group cares about our neighborhood. At the vote, Delores also praised our efforts and spoke very well about the need for these kinds of overlays, especially in controlling in-fill development. Pantele has four O&H’s in his district and is very supportive of them. He said, “They work.”
This has been a two year effort that could not have happened without the involvement of several wonderful, dedicated neighbors who know the value and power behind “grass roots.” Yes, WE CAN make a difference. Thanks to ALL of you for your hard work. It’s like Wanda said last night, 80% of change happens through the efforts of 20% of the people. And what a 20% you are!!!
The Old & Historic District ordinance is now in place. It took effect immediately at the time of the vote. You can download a pdf of the guidelines at the CAR page on the city website. It is:
http://www.richmondgov.com/forms/docs/comdev/Old_Historic_Dist.pdf
I’m planning a celebration party at Reed Square to commemorate the 50th anniversary of O&H’s, CAR and our inauguration. I’ll let you know when.
In the meantime, I encourage all of you to email Delores, all other members of Council, and Saul and Mike from city staff/CAR to thank them for their support and hard work on this landmark ordinance.
That said, glad it’s over, I’m feeling kind of old and historic (or hysteric) myself after all of this!
Here’s the contact emails for “Thanks-you’s”
delores.mcquinn@richmondgov.com
sam.patterson@richmondgov.com (Delores’ liaison)
bruce.tyler@richmondgov.com
bill.pantele@richmondgov.com
chris.hilbert@richmondgov.com
kathy.graziano@richmondgov.com
marty.jewell@richmondgov.com
ellen.robertson@richmondgov.com
reva.trammell@richmondgov.com
doug.conner@richmondgov.com
saul.gleiser@richmondgov.com
michael.yengling@richmondgov.com
Again, thanks to you all,
Laura Daab
Church Hill North Historic District Initiative
505 North 28th Street
Richmond, VA 23223
804-649-1913
fax: 804-649-7419
laura@mysterydinner.com
richmond.com: Church Hill North gets historic designation
I know in some of the original proposals the district would be implemented in two phases. Are there still plans for a phase 2?
There is an effort underway to expand the Chimborazo Old & Historic District north of its current boundaries. We had originally planned to include this area in the Church Hill North boundaries, but we were advised to cut back the original boundaries because it would have been too ambitious of an undertaking and less likely of succeeding.
I believe Jason Creech is heading up the Chimborazo effort and he can be reached at jcreecher@comcast.net
John, any word on your neighborhood proposal?
At the meeting in February, they said that the next step towards National designation for Fairmount would be another public meeting in the fall (maybe September or so).
i think that this is a get idea because a lot of chruchill is becoming a neighborhood of history. it should stay that way
i’m wondering how hard/annoying it will be for a church hill north resident such as myself to have a new aesthetically pleasing workshop/shed built in my backyard. is it going to take months and months of approvals and signatures, or is it a fairly quick process? i received the info about the new district yesterday in the mail, but i thought i would ask on here, so i can start to prepare myself. thanks!
Hi Jo:
I’ll try to do my best to answer your question.
The mailing you received (as did all property owners in the district) contained a fairly detailed outline of the process for obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness including a checklist to follow for making the process easy and successful.
I have been working closely with the CAR staff for a while now, and can assure you that they will do everything they can to help you with your project.
I also know that Matt Elmes, the Chair of the CAR Board is a skilled contractor and is constantly reviewing new materials and methods that can be used in O&H projects.
I’d start by giving Saul Gleiser or Mike Yengling a call and discussing your project with them. The number to the CAR is in your materials.
The CAR meets monthly and your application needs to get them by the last Friday of the month before the meeting (which is on the fourth Tuesday) in order to get approval for your project. Beyond this, your time factor is really up to you and your contractor.
Hope this helps.
Jo, here’s a quick link to the city’s Historic Preservation Division which has CAR brochures, maps, and forms for download.
Thanks Ann:
I had already posted that link in my previous post above, but it’s never hurts to provide that info again. Lot’s of very good info on those pages.
Look at all those people to contact and signatures you have to get in order to make improvements to your property. Thats crazy, but hey whatever floats your boat.
I’m all for Fairmont being registered in the National Historic listings. But if local designation becomes a topic, it could get ugly…
I don’t think Fairmount going for city designation is feasible at all.