I went to a public meeting tonight on the subject of turning the near south side of Racine into a historic district. What this would mean for property owners in the area is that alterations to their property would have to meet the approval of a commission, much like the one already in place downtown. Window replacements, roof reshingling, fences, porches, you name it, the decisions will no longer be made by the owners.
The reaction from the audience ranged from skeptical to hostile for the most part. Simply put, these folks didn't want to turn over the decisions regarding their property to the government.
Not everyone was opposed to the idea. One woman spoke in support and was generally well received until she said that not everyone is cut out for owning a historic home and that perhaps they should sell. She was shouted down, deservedly so imho.
Also speaking was Bob Hartman, a member of the Landmarks Commission that I believe is pushing this idea. Bob is a nice fellow but I believe he should have told the crowd that he stands to make money if the area becomes a historic district. How so? Well, Bob is a designer and would likely be on the commission, just as he is downtown. So he would probably get referrals to do the designs that would help his clients make it through the committee. Seems like a conflict of interest to me but at the very least Bob would likely profit from this move and I think he should have indicated as much to the audience.
Anyway, I am happy to report that a large number of property owners on the south side will not be handing over their property rights to the city without a big, loud fight. I just might like to join them.
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Aside from the design guy - did the commission offer any reasoning why they want to do this?
BTW, getting back to the design guy - we had a similar situation in Caledonia. A planner was hired to help with the massive Neighborhood Planning/Land Use Plan. He then became the likely heir to be the design planner as developers looked for guidance to ensure their subdivisions would be approved. The guy had a really good gig going on until a few trustees woke up and realized the village was paying the guy a small fortune!
The stated reasons for the historic designation was that the ordinance would help the area retain its character. People would benefit with higher property values, neighbors couldn't ruin the neighborhood, we could be like Cedarburg etc...
The unstated reasons, in my view, are that the government knows better than their subjects on how to take care of a house and a neighborhood. Your so-called right to property shouldn't be taken to extremes as your decisions impact your neighbors. And then their is also the profit motive as designers get design fees, city officials can justify having a job etc...
Thanks for attending the meeting last night Denis, and for your reporting back on the goings on. I'm glad to hear that the one speaker who wanted to admonish others who weren't "qualified" to own an historic home, was noisily rebuked. Bravo, fellow citizens of Liberty!
Was there any discussion when the follow up meeting if any will be heard?
DB, city official Matt Sadowski repeatedly emphasized that this was just an informational meeting to see what the people of the neighborhood wanted, an assertion I find rather amusing given that it appeared as though the folks wanted nothing to do with this whatsoever. Anyway, what will follow, on June 1st apparently, is a public hearing with Racine's Landmark Commission committee. On a somewhat tangential note, it is interesting that the Commission and the city have the basic framework of an ordinance already in place, yet they want to pass this off as a democratic initiative led by the neighborhood.
I am with you sir. Fight the power!
"On a somewhat tangential note, it is interesting that the Commission and the city have the basic framework of an ordinance already in place, yet they want to pass this off as a democratic initiative led by the neighborhood."
We need to let the City know this is not the case just like with the West Racine slum project. The neighbors showed there is power in unity
Thanks for voicing your story, and comments at the Public Hearing This Monday. the over 100 folks who showed up to make their voices heard was terrific. It was around 30 speakers and the "con" voices far outweighed the "pro" forces.
I'm not Sure Bob Hartman is the "someone" behind the scenes on this but I'd really like to know who is.
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