New Preservation Commission Plans For Future

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Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com 

 

September 2025 HPC meeting.


ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

The city's new historical preservation commission reviewed its accomplishments during its first year and planned for the next year during its monthly meeting last week. 

Chairman Mara Kozelsky said two new members with relevant professional experience may be coming on board soon to help -- and proposed forming a new advisory committee of some sort to help as well.

She also cited a new historical tourism study underway, progress to becoming a certified local government and a potential new demolition review process for historic properties in the city (before a demolition permit can be issued).

Becoming a certified local government would allow more incentives for property owners to preserve, but still needs the city council to adopt more legislation to fully participate (National Park Service certification).

The council also still needs to approve the new demolition review ordinance, to put it into effect.

A local History Day is being planned in some local schools schools as well, with a contest/prize to promote historical interest there.


Location: Fairhope, AL 36532, USA

Comments

Anonymous said…
Neeed to get it done before it is all gone.
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Anonymous said…
City council's holding it up.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
Imagine you want to replace a small old wooden house with your dream home and the City Ordinance says you have to wait 60 days for someone else to come around and tell you that you shouldn’t. That’s a delay of 2 months and a cost to your new construction loan and a delay for your builder, etc, etc. Could also be a turn-off to a prospective buyer of your old house. And for what? For relatively few dollars of preservation funds and a higher cost to “renovate” and not even the home you ever wanted.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
..and every penny of imposed costs must be shared be the entire community, supported by taxes on everyone. If Karen Roe wishes to drive by old houses from time to time, Homeowner Doe must not bear a disproportionate cost of her aesthetic preferences.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
Sure that is the problem with all you greedy newcomers. Only concern is money! Not about keeping city's charm.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
Sorry. Not a newcomer. Also attracted to turn-of-the century Fairhope. But, unless you’re a cash buyer, the loan-to-value on a new construction loan cannot be met with a 1200 sq ft house on prime FSTC dirt.
Better this: City use Preservation funds to pay for an architect to consult on keeping the charm and style with new construction to suit the neighborhood.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
maybe ... but you sure sound like one. only interest is making money! (newcomer)!
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
Please don't let all the newcomers bulldoze our town! Make it like is was u p north where they cam from.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
It is said that a house is the biggest purchase you will make in your lifetime. Therefore it ought to keep its value and be affordable to maintain. 1920’s construction is neither hurricane-proof, easily insurable, nor up to Code (i.e., not Gold Fortified). Will a Preservation Grant cover the expense/loss in your biggest purchase? I support modern, safe construction to protect your investment AND the pleasant aesthetic of our City. Hire an architect with your Grant money to serve us pro-Preservationists.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
Here’s a case-in-point: Proposed “renovation” of 51 N. Bayview St. Before/after plans are online at Citizenserve. Drive by and see all the new tree stumps.
(This house has been designated as “contributing” to the historic aesthetic by the 2025 Schneider Report).
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
I will second the comment that they tear down a home in a 2000sf neighborhood and replace with a three story 4000sf. Ugly. These folks have money, why not build on a lot with similar homes? Arrogance 101.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
People ought to be able to do what what want with their own land.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
FYI: Most of the lots in the 1911 plat of the oldest neighborhoods in Fairhope are owned by FSTC. Homeowners lease the ground to replace or maintain the home upon it. And you must conform to the City Zoning Ordinance 1253. At present there is no requirement to maintain what some might consider the charming character of the oldest neighborhoods. The Ordinance would have to be amended to require specific elements of “Traditional” architecture. The HPC was created by the Council, by Ordinance, only after public comments objecting to interference on property rights. Now it seems (although it has not been made public) that the National Park Service has rejected our application for CLG status and the money it brings because that Ordinance was too watered down. C’est la vie.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
...or leave the smaller home folks grew up/lived in and move to a bigger city with bigger houses. The small house stood for 50 years, why change now?
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
Fairhope Times did a story about the CLG problem earlier this year: https://thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com/2025/04/new-historical-preservation-push-hits.html
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
Why do you choose to live in YOUR house, at YOUR location? What if I disagree with YOUR choices? What if I get the power to outlaw YOUR sensibilities?
Monday, September 15, 2025
Anonymous said…
Please allow me to correct myself. The Schneider Report was published in 2015, not 2025. It can be found here:
https://www.fairhopeal.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/21999/636929158892970000
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
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