January ENews from Mobile Historic Development Commission

MHDC ENews: January 2010 Volume 2 Number 1

Greetings!

With the beginning of every new year, new challenges and new opportunities arise.

This year is no different.

The Mobile Historic Development Commission is beginning 2010 with a 'call to action.' Preservationists are asked to stand up for our historic neighborhoods by showing your support for the Architectural Review Boards decision to deny the design of a proposed gas station and convenience store in Oakleigh, one of our most populated and most significant historic districts. This project is going to be a benchmark case study for historic preservation in Mobile. If the decision is upheld by the City Council in the appeal process, it will protect the integrity of neighborhoods in historic districts throughout the city for decades to come. If the decision is overturned, it leaves all neighborhoods vulnerable to inappropriate design and growth; and gives developers carte blanche to build whatever they like, where ever they like. Now is the time to stand up for our historic neighborhoods and the quality of life issues that make them so special.

As we move forward in 2010, we will continue our fight to preserve the fabric of our historic city, support preservation issues on a state-wide level, and keep you abreast of the national historic preservation movement.

And as always, we hope that you will share our ENews with your family and friends who enjoy and support historic preservation. Please feel free to pass along this electronic publication and encourage everyone to subscribe. It is our hope that this communication tool will help keep our community updated on preservation issues and special events.

A Call to Action

The Architectural Review Board has denied the design plans for the Texaco service station and convenience store that is being proposed for construction at the corner of Broad Street and Elmira Street, located in the Oakleigh Garden Historic District. The Architectural Review Board found that the project was an impairment to the historic integrity of the neighborhood and denied application based on its impact on the district including site plan and scale. It was noted that the plan was not in accordance with the "New Plan for Old Mobile" and that it would have an adverse impact on the "Bring Back Broad" initiative.

Marvin Hewatt Enterprises, along with their attorney, Douglas Anderson, a former Mobile Planning Commission member, is appealing this decision to the City Council. The City Council will hear the appeal on January 26, at 10:30 a.m., during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

Members of the Oakleigh Garden District Society are asking all concerned neighbors and preservationists to attend this meeting to show support for the ARB's decision to deny this application. Oakleigh Garden Historic District residents have presented a petition to Mayor Jones and the City Council expressing their opposition to the construction of the proposed business.

Members of the Church Street East Historic District have also joined the fight to block this project.

The Mobile Historic Development Commission has passed a resolution in support of the Architectural Review Board's decision to deny this project, and are in full support of the ARB. The resolution will be read during the appeal hearing.

A spokesperson from the Oakleigh Garden District Society stressed that "if this project is allowed to proceed, it would set a precedent and impact all our historic neighborhoods for years to come."

The MHDC is asking that all concerned citizens attend the City Council meeting for the appeal hearing to show support for the denial of this construction project.

Alabama School for Math and Science Fence Update

On Tuesday, December 15, Councilman William Carroll hosted an informal meeting in the City Council's conference room to discuss the chain link fence at the Alabama School for Math and Science. Present, along with representatives of the School, were neighbors, MHDC staff members, and Rennie Brabner, representing the Commission. The meeting was held to discuss the interim report that will be presented to the Architectural Review Board at the January 20 meeting.

At the meeting it was explained to the School that the ARB required a plan of action by the School for the eventual removal of the fence. There would also need to eventually be a design for whatever replaces the chain link. Several of the attendees suggested to the School that this should be viewed as an opportunity to create an overall landscaping and fencing plan for the parking lot.

In November, the ARB granted the School a Certificate of Economic Hardship that is valid for 120 days. If the School wishes to renew the Certificate, it must reapply at the March 17 meeting. The ARB required that any application for an extension must be accompanied by a plan to eventually remove the fence. The interim report, due in January, should give the Board some indication of the School's intentions.

ARB at a Glance

The Architectural Review Board is continuing to work hard to protect our historic districts. Here is a look at their body of work for the first quarter of this fiscal year.

Total Applications October November December

Applications Approved by Staff 41 26 15

Applications Reviewed by ARB 21 8 5

Applications Approved by ARB 16 6 3

Applications Tabled by ARB 0 0 1

Applications Denied by ARB 2 1 1

Applications Withdrawn 3 1 0

Applications in Design Committee 0 0 0

Applications Appealed 1 0 0

Applicants estimate the proposed job costs for renovations and improvement to homes and buildings in districts, under the Architectural Review Board's jurisdiction, will cost an estimated $8,696,330.