New Push For Fairhope Preservation Coming

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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SEEKS ACTION

Gary Gover, Chairman of the Committee, said studies show preserving the city's vintage character would be a boon for local businesses/homeowners --  by increasing property values, historical tourism, and by attracting new residents.

Gover: " It couldn't be plainer . . . (preservation has) a lot to do with the success of businesses and tourism."

Gover said the old style neighborhoods promote traditional community values as well.

There are various grants available to participating cities and tax credits for individual property owners according to Gover.

MOBILE'S HISTORIC DIRECTOR COMMENTS

Lifetime Fairhope resident and Director of Mobile's Historic Commission Devereaux Bemis spoke in support as well, lamenting the loss of many older structures in the Fruit n' Nut neighborhood especially.

Bemis: "Preservation increases property values . . . creates a sense of place."

Bemis said there are over 2,500 such commissions throughout the country; and Fairhope had fallen behind Foley and parts of Baldwin County -- who already have them.

 ORDINANCE BEING FINALIZED

The new preservation ordinance is now being "tweaked" by the Committee -- and should be ready to present to the Council for preliminary review in a couple of weeks.

Previous such attempt have failed over objections from property-rights advocates.


Comments

Anonymous said…
They should worry more about getting something in the vacant Food World building. Talk about an eyesore...right in the middle of F'hope. What happened to the bowling alley/family center that was coming...or at least hung a sign out announcing it? God forbid families have something to do around here...I guess some would prefer the vacant look.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Anonymous said…
they had bettr get started on this before it is too late
Monday, March 07, 2011
Anonymous said…
Oh please, it is too late in my neighborhood. I probably have the only house left that was built in the early 50's. If this passes, I'll never be able to sell. I don't like all these McMansions around me, but at this point, I'm more then ready to get out of here. Why can't Fairhope be Fairhope anymore. The neighborhoods are already shot to H*ll and back. At least let the rest of us have some recourse.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Anonymous said…
Yet another effort from people who think they know better than everyone else but don't want to fork over any money, just restirct everyone else. If someone pays the going rate for a piece of property in the fruit and nut section then they should be able to do whatever they want within the confines of the zoning ordinance.

If folks wanted the kind of regulation over every aspect of their lives like the have in California (Carmel, etc) then they would LIVE in California...Texas is looking better and better every day!
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
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