02 - P&Z Min. 08-02-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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