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Planning and Zoning Meeting <br />August 3, 2004 <br />Page 9 <br />157, Paragraph C, takes a sledge hammer to home ownership rights. <br />Mr. Wickersham stated that this section covers all exterior structures <br />in your yard from the dog house to the outhouse. Mr. Wickersham <br />stated that if this just a commission that they are trying to form just to <br />give advice then why does Section 7 -164 back up this law with a $2,000 <br />a day fine and a separate misdemeanor fine charge per day to anyone <br />who refuses to go along with it. This ordinance discriminates against <br />the poor and elderly who cannot afford these restrictive maintenance <br />requirements. In other cities people have been forced to sell their <br />homes that they have lived in for most of their lives. <br />Margie Bell, 624 Church, has lived there since 1940, spoke against the <br />petition stating that this is not the proper way to go about what we are <br />trying to do. Ms. Bell stated that they are all trying to preserve the <br />history of Paris and trying to preserve their homes. Ms. Bell stated that <br />downtown has lost several businesses and if we are doing such a good <br />job of historical preservation, then where did these people go to? What <br />businesses have replaced them? What is the historical significance of <br />well over half the homes in the designated areas. You have home values <br />from 0, and some should be bull dozed, to a few houses worth over $150, <br />000. The homes in the area are not homogeneous, they vary greatly, in <br />age, size, architecture, and certainly in value. The truly historical <br />homes on Church and Main are owned by responsible people who have <br />successfully maintained them to the best of their abilities and finances <br />and it is an insult to the intelligence and capabilities of these owners to <br />give the control of their homes to a committee no matter how well <br />intentioned those members are. Ms. Bell stated they will be required to <br />pay for the improvements that they may not even like. Ms. Bell stated <br />that 1St Street is not suited for this designation. <br />Ms. Bell asked if there was a petition presented to the committee. <br />