Netherwood Neighbors are encouraged to attend a public hearing being held by Plainfield’s Historic Preservation Commision on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at duCret School of Art, 1030 Central Avenue. Tell your neighbors!
See if your house is on the list.
From TAPinto Plainfield:
According to William Michelson, chairman of the HPC, “More than half of the property owners would have to opt out by petition, to preclude being added to the historic district. Since these are expansions around the edges of the current districts, if such petitions are submitted, we will have to attempt a common-sense approach to such a result.”
Here is the letter you should have received if your house is being considered for the expansion:
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The Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing, at which the District Expansion Project will be presented, questions will be answered, and comments will be heard. There is no official action to be taken at this hearing – it is informational only.
The proposal is to enlarge two of the ten Historic Districts which have already graced our city since the 1980’s: about 140 properties to be added to the existing Van Wyck Brooks Historic District, and about 87 properties to be added to the existing Netherwood Heights Historic District. This notice is directed to the owners of all the eligible properties, as shown on the enclosed maps; the existing Districts are in yellow, and the proosed additions are in green or blue.
This is stage one of a three-part process which must take place before the additions are actually made. After the Historic Preservation Commission approves the Project, with whatever changes are made in response to public comment, the proposal goes to the Planning Board for a public hearing, and if it approves the Project, too, it goes to the City Council for a formal action.
The effect of the proposal is to rezone the eligible properties, and make them subject to the Historic Preservation Ordinance, chapter 17:10 of the Plainfield City Code. The purpose of this Project is to preserve and enhance the fine architectural features of the Districts, and their distinctive low- to moderate-density residential character. Detailed information will be available at the hearings.
This is not a Project which the HPC wants to impose on unwilling property owners. Before considering any formal proposal, the Commission wishes to find out what the residents want, so that it may revise the Project accordingly.
Hearing will be held on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the duCret School of Art, 1030 Central Avenue. This hearing is open to the general public, not just the property owners in the proposed expansion areas. We would like to hear what any and all City residents want or don’t want, and we wish to address their concerns.
Interested residents are encouraged to read the sections of the City Website that deal with the Historic Preservation, such as the Ordinance, the Design Guidelines, the Maps of our 10 existing Historic Districts and 18 Historic Sites, and our Meeting Minutes, which show exactly what we do. Also enclosed is a broad explanation of the benefits which we feel are gained, from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. All residents are also always welcome to attend regular HPC meetings, which are held on the 4th Tuesday of every month at City Hall.
William H. Michelson, Chairman
City of Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission