To Historicize or not to Historicize?
Short answer: NO.
My friendly neighborhood East Siver Spring Community Association (ESSCA) listserv had en email announcing next month’s meeting for March 16. Evidently, Preservation Maryland has been invited to speak about the “pros, cons and process for being designated an historic district.”
My initial reaction: You’ve got to be frakking kidding me, right?
Read on, and the email says, “This is one of several ideas we would like to explore in order [to] be proactive in protecting our homes from future attempts to rezone or tear them down.”
My next reaction: Over my dead body.
I’ve heard some pretty stupid ideas in the neighborhood, but this one is one of the best in recent memory. No way am I going to be accountable to some neighborhood board before I add on to my house, tear down a tree, or put up a basketball goal in my driveway. It seems that the people who want this sort of action fear change more than the radiation they claim comes from the downtown WiFi signal. And yes, that *has* been mentioned on the listserv in the past. I understand their sentiment, but there is no way I’m going to let this happen.
It reminds me of a great X-Files episode called “Arcadia,” where Mulder and Scully move into a community where the rules include:
- No front lawn decorations
- No one to be outside after 6:00pm
- No pets that weigh more than 16 lbs.
- No basketball hoops
The penalty? Death. My first reaction (and Mulder’s)? Install a basketball hoop.
I’ve found out that in order to run for office in ESSCA, you have to live in the area, attend at least half the meetings over the past year, and paid your dues. Right now I’m one for three. But elections are in May, and you can be damned sure that in May 2010, I’m going to push for a slate of candidates that represent the REAL East Silver Spring - not a bunch of preservationsists that speak as the vocal minority in this community. And I know I have a LOT of people in the neighborhood on my side.
Get ready to step aside, old-timers. You’re in for one helluva ride. And in the meantime, I’m going to come to as many meetings as possible and make for some entertaining dialogue.
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The board of Del Boca Vista will now come to order.
Ooh, are you going to run for ESSCA president? If so, your requisite lawn sign should have a whirl-a-gig thing on it.
I think if such rules were put in place, they should be retroactive to whatever date is deemed “historic”. (Of course, in Silver Spring the 80’s are considered historic.) That would mean any houses built since that point would be bulldozed and additions to older houses would need to be removed in order to comply.
If you have enough people to vote for you, maybe you could get them to change the by-laws before the election making you eligible this year.
I didn’t realize how much I needed a whirl-a-gig until now. But after some investigation by a neighbor, I’m pretty sure running this year is out of the picture. And yes - I plan on running for ESSCA president.
If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be off to get some graveyard dirt to prepare for the curses that will be placed on people who violate the rules….
I’m setting up the “pink flamingo fund” today!!!
The hysterical preservation zone is yet another attempt for a vocal group of NIMBYists that erroneously claim to speak for our neighborhood to gain even more control. Count me in, sign me up, I’ll be your campaign manager.
Who’s the current president? Is it still Bob Colvin?
Two things: One, the preservation business is a solution is search of a problem. Two, if you’re going to run, and I think you should, start getting your allies lined up and going to meetings now. Show early strength. You’d be surprised how many long-term residents will show up to vote if they think there’s a whippersnapper in line to challenge the old guard.
Trust me, done there and been that (in another neighborhood).
Give them the business!
Count me in–we’ll need to get supporters to join ESSCA in advance of the elections. You can’t vote in the elections if you are not already a member
ESSCA’s meeting on Historic Districts has been misunderstood. It is an informational meeting. ESSCA has no position for or against and is not interested in forcing anything on anyone. On the contrary, we have put out 1,200 newsletters asking for input from this community.
Several homeowners who have homes that are over 100 years old and other owners whose homes have been threatened with destruction in the last 4-5 years would like to explore the possibilities.
So please, attend the meeting, we welcome your opinions. But if you are looking for a fight about Historic Districts, I think you will be disappointed
I know it’s an informational meeting. And I hope that the information leads to a lively discussion that ultimately eliminates the potential for a historic designation in East Silver Spring.
I live in a house that’s merely 86 years old, and I simply don’t want this to happen. That’s why I’ll be there to contribute to the discussion, and thanks for soliciting input.
Informational meeting?!?….Ha! April 20 ESSCA meeting never mentioned the “Historic” designation for the neighborhood (they purposely skipped it)because the leadership was so very surprised at the attendance, ready to vote “NO”! I suggest everyone to keep attending the meetings monthly.
According to Robert Rules of Order, the President ignored the topic agenda in addressing the “Historicize” issue. The issue has not been addressed nor was it tabled in according to RRO.
I think the leadership is being sly by manipulating the vote by voting on this issue when attendance is low. Keep on guard!
Voting on an Historic District was never on the April 20th agenda for ESSCA because there is no proposal for an historic district to vote on. I don’t know how the rumor got started that there was going to be a vote, but there is nothing to vote on.
The informational meeting was in March not April. The newsletter announcing the topics for the April 20th meeting did not say anything about voting on an historic district.
The Executive Board of ESSCA has no position on becoming an historic district and most likely there are differences of opinion within the Board. It is ludicrous and insulting to imply that they are manipulating the agenda to avoid a vote.
At the March meeting a committee was formed to explore the possibilies of an historic district, which they are doing. If there is ever a proposal to create an historic district the community would be notified.
Those of you who attended the March informational meeting might remember that we were informed that an historic district can consist of as few as two houses.
You are welcome attend our meetings, but you would have more credibility if you used facts instead of unfounded accusations to express your concerns.