Sep
Wed 9th
2009
The Anderberg House
by Jay Allen
Good day.
Last night, the Council approved a new ordinance regarding the issuance of demolition permits. They now require Plan Commission and Common Council approval, and the Plan Commission must review the historical significance of the structure to be demolished. In addition the applicant must provide a detailed plan for the re-use of the property.
In addition, the Council passed a moratorium on the issuance of new demolition permits until the new ordinance takes effect on Saturday.
The Alexander Company took out a demolition permit in January for the two houses on the Drumlin Farm site. Our ordinance requires that demolition must commence within six months or the permit lapses. That would have taken the permit into the middle of July. They did not commence any demolition, therefore, the permit they obtained in January is no longer valid.
Today, upon recognizing this, the Alexander Company brought in applications for new demolition permits. Those applications will be returned with a note explaining that we are not accepting applications until the new ordinance takes effect.
Comments:
Thanks for doing what you can to make sure that demolition doesn't happen without careful thought. I had the pleasure of touring the house last Saturday. I can't speak for how easy it would be to restore the structure, but at a minimum its historical features should be fully documented, photographed, and removed to the State Historical Society or recycled if they cannot be saved. Ideally, of course, the house should be preserved at its present spectacular site (the view from the front windows is breath-taking and reminds us of what settlers in the area would have seen a century ago).
Mary
by Mary Anglim
09/10/2009/ (09:09)
Sorry, commenting is locked on this blog entry.
Hi Jay,
regarding the Anderberg house,
In your 2nd para, rather than "building permits", the moratorium is on new "demolition permits".
I watched the Common Council meeting, and that would accurately reflect what was discussed and passed.
I also heard it there, of an "open house" at the Anderberg house? I think it was mentioned as on Tue Sept 8?
It's unfortunate this wasn't made known to more who have followed the saga of this house, and the gardens.
I read in the last Fitchburg Star (literally, the last issue of the "late" Star), that tenants agreed to move out Sept 8.
I don't know if the open house might have been by invite only. It would have been interesting to see the house.
It could be the last anyone sees of its features, without some preservation option. I'd like to see it saved, somehow.
Regarding the Star, we do need some similar news venue. Kurt did an excellent job keeping us informed.
by Patrick Cheney
09/09/2009/ (09:09)