The Orange Historical Preservation Commission on Tuesday will review requests to demolish two houses, including one that the city staff says “could be repaired economically.”
The houses are at 1212 West Cherry Avenue and 1107 North Third Street.
Last month, the owner of the house on Third Street asked for time to repair it to meet code. It is one of several houses recommended by the city’s grant planner Sandy Wilson to be demolished with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grants because of March flood damage. The owner said the house was not flooded in March and has not been damaged since Hurricane Ike.
City Planning Director Kelvin Knauf in the reports to the commission said the 84-year-old house is “structurally unsafe and open to predation.”
The Historical Preservation Commission must approve demolition for buildings in the Old Orange Historic District before the city will issue a permit. The city also takes older houses targeted for demolition using HUD money before the commission.
David Hock, the owner of the house on Cherry Avenue, is requesting a demolition permit because he cannot afford to maintain it, according to the commission’s agenda.
Knauf reports the house has weather damage outside and some problems inside. The non-attached garage is leaning and needs to be demolished, he said.
“The house itself could be repaired economically,” Knauf’s report says. The house does not have historical or architectural features to prevent demolition.
“As much as I hate to have older homes torn down, particularly homes that could be economically restored, I recommend that the certificate of appropriateness be granted,” Knauf writes.
The Historical Preservation Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the city’s Neighborhood Facilities Building, 303 North Eighth Street. Public comment on the demolitions is allowed.
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