Historic overlay endorsed

Gordonsville Planning Commission members heard anticipated objections to a proposed historic district overlay and architectural review board Monday night, and voted unanimously to recommend the ordinance to the town council for consideration.
Since 1981, much of the town’s Main Street corridor from the traffic circle to the Exchange Hotel has been part of a National Historic District. It includes approximately 100 properties.
Two years ago, some property owners within the district initiated a grassroots movement to establish a historic district overlay with a town council-appointed architectural review board to protect these historic properties and preserve the town’s core.
After approaching the town council with the idea last fall, the council asked the town’s planning commission to study the idea, develop a proposed ordinance and offer a recommendation.
Nearly 20 Gordonsville citizens attended Monday’s public hearing to discuss the proposed historic district overlay which aims to protect and preserve culturally, architecturally or historically significant properties and to ensure that new construction within the district is architecturally compatible with the town’s existing historic structures.
While the proposed district would not dictate paint colors, it would require property owners within the district to get architectural review board approval for exterior renovations and additions, as well as demolition.
“I don’t see how in the world someone else can do anything to my property when they don’t have a thing in it,“ Raleigh Duke told the planning commission. “The only solution for people who want to make this is to buy the land, pay the taxes and then they can do whatever the hell they want with it.“
Main Street property owner John Patina was more direct.
“If this happens, there’ll be heck to pay. I’m mad. Dang mad. I’ll paint my houses sky blue or pink or black. That’s how mad I am,“ he said. “I’m making a threat here tonight. Don’t anyone dare come on my property and tell me what I can do because there’ll be hell to pay.“
Emily Miksovic, a High Street property owner, was surprised and disappointed her home was included in the proposed overlay district.
“I disagree with putting private homes in [the proposed historic district overlay] unless people ask to be included,“ she said. “My neighborhood was not deemed significant years ago when 1,000 trucks a day were routed through my front yard,“ she said amid tears.
Likewise, Miksovic’s neighbor the Rev. Richard Fichter, Jr. respectfully requested Christ Episcopal Church not be included within the district either.
He presented the commission with a detailed history of the church and its additions and said the church didn’t have any problem with recognizing history, but had its own mechanisms for dealing with it.
Additionally, he assured the commission the church would take care of its property since it is a house of God. “It’s a living institution to the glory of God, not to man and man’s history.“
Randy Young, who owns the houses facing Commerce Street and the old Magnolia House fronting the railroad, lamented the loss of some of the town’s older landmarks, including the old C & O Depot, the old school and original Baptist Church. Still, he said, “I can’t see people tearing down a house and putting up a convenience store. I oppose this because people in town keep their homes in good shape and all the old houses in town are in good shape.“
And while Gerri Frantz complimented Young on his meticulously maintained properties, she said it broke her heart to see what happened in Louisa as more and more old structures were demolished. She said the town had lost too many important properties already and without the overlay, that could happen again.
Barbara Drinkwater, who owns the only traffic circle facing lot that isn’t a fast-food restaurant or gas station, said she supported the overlay so if someone buys her former real estate office they won’t tear it down and make it a Burger King.
“No one here tonight has spoken out in any way other than they want to protect Gordonsville,“ Will Stewart, one of the overlay’s initial advocates told the commission. “Some think the best way is through individual property rights. I think it works better as a group.“
Stewart said there are approximately 100 properties within the district held by 50-60 different property owners.
“When someone wants to do something, the people you’d talk to about it are your neighbors-the people you share the town with; the people who want what you want.
“Reasonable people come to reasonable conclusions,“ he said.
After about an hour of public comment, the public hearing was closed and the commission voted unanimously (5-0) to recommend the ordinance for approval to the town council.
Gordonsville Town Manager Sabrina Martyn said the council will likely hold a public hearing in conjunction with its August 17 meeting. Citizens can review the proposed ordinance on the town’s website at http://www.townofgordonsville.org/DocumentView.aspx?DID=407 or at town hall on Main Street.