HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-26 850 CHNI letter of support - AttachmentTo the Commissioners,
By means of this letter, the Central High Neighborhood, Inc. (CHNI)
wishes to inform you of our overall support for the development,
approval, and implementation of a local ordinance district (LOD) over
the footprint of the federal Central High historic district.
"We've Got Heritage."
We are grateful the City, by way of the Commission, has embarked upon a process to protect the
historical integrity of our neighborhood. A LOD will promote appropriate modifications to properties,
maintain our eligibility for state and federal tax credits, and protect the architectural heritage of our city.
Meanwhile, we are not blind or ignorant to the challenges that will result. We understand a LOD will
cause property owners to learn new policies and procedures, adhere to new requirements, and
experience some limitations on individual freedoms.
At our last business meeting, we discussed the planned LOD and existing design overlay district with
Hannah Ratzlaff for over an hour. We discussed the additional level of scrutiny projects will face and the
time, effort, and cost associated with the increase review. Since its earliest days, ours has been a
neighborhood filled with diverse households that earn a fairly broad range of disposable income. Some
of our neighbors will find it impossible to cover additional, significant expenses of costs, such as the
services of abstract companies to notify neighboring property owners. As such, we advocate for the
LOD to specify required outcomes without necessarily specifying the means of achieving those
outcomes. We advocate for the allowance of alternative, and perhaps DIY, means of complying with
City requirements, in order for all neighbors to participate in this new reality. We deeply wish for our
neighbors to maintain the contributing status of their homes while preserving their dignity, quality of
live, and family wealth. If easily -understandable, affordable procedures are available, neighbors will be
likely to willingly comply with the LOD requirements. Otherwise, we fear a rash of unauthorized
property modifications and demolitions. In an environment of ignorance and fear, we could also see
properties fall faster into a state of decline — while our objectives are directed toward stability and
restoration.
Our neighborhood association is committed to saving the homes of our neighbors, for the families who
love their homes and have concentrated wealth in those homes.
Most sincerely,
Central Hi6 Neighborhood, Inc. Board
Denise Leeson, President Gary Iverson, Vice President
Ryan Porter, Treasurer Ben Gregory, Secretary
Bobby Mathews, Past President