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Preserving, promoting and protecting Utah's
historic built environment since 1966.
<
http://www.utahheritagefoundation.org/>
www.utahheritagefoundation.org
Preservation ENEWSletter
March 10, 2009
If you are not yet a member of our organization, please consider becoming a
member. Online membership now available!
To join, please visit our web site at
<
http://www.utahheritagefoundation.org/join.php>
www.utahheritagefoundation.org/join.php.
Mega-homes, mega-feud
Jeremiah Stettler, The Salt Lake Tribune, February16, 2009
Millcreek > It was their dream-home-in-waiting -- a worn-out 1949
rambler with a leaky roof, faulty plumbing and a not-so-watertight
foundation.
The home wasn't much, but its location in east Millcreek made it a
tantalizing purchase for young parents John and Stephanie Peterson (pictured
to the right), who hoped someday to replace their decades-old bricks and
mortar with a bigger house better suited to their growing family.
But another dream had unfolded nearby in a tree-clustered neighborhood
near Evergreen Avenue. There, Mario and Cheryl Nunez bought a home where
occasional deer, raccoons and ducks provided a scenic solace from
metropolitan Salt Lake City.
Just beyond their property line stood a towering black locust tree,
planted in the late 1840s with seeds carried across the Midwestern prairie.
A steel plaque identified it as the 28th sapling planted by Mormon pioneers.
But soon, the black locust was cut down to make way for a new upscale
home. And the Petersons discovered that their dreams for building their
dream house might be downsized.
So these Millcreek residents -- on opposing sides of a
sometimes-volatile development debate in this east-side suburb of 65,000
people -- appealed to community leaders for help. Their message was the
same: Protect our homes.
Salt Lake County has received hundreds of e-mails (close to 600, by the
latest estimates) weighing in on plans to tighten Millcreek's building
standards to prevent so-called "monster homes" from disrupting
neighborhoods.
It's a breathtaking amount of public comment that reflects the
divisiveness of this 2-year-old policy battle in which planners are seeking
to balance the property rights of those wanting to up-size their homes and
neighbors who want protection from houses that snug up to property lines,
erode privacy and reshape skylines.
"Builders seem to come from a country that has no red lights," wrote one
commenter, Bob Gibson. "They do what is best $$$ for them, consider no one
else and drive off after causing a huge accident while running the red
light."
Wrote an anonymous commenter, "These communities are very fortunate to
have people that are willing to invest $$$ that improve the neighborhood."
This debate that has intensified in recent weeks as the Millcreek Planning
Commission pitches its latest plan for controlling growth. That proposal --
slated for discussion Thursday -- combines black-and-white restrictions on
building height, lot coverage and property setbacks with a grayer standard
that allows for larger homes, so long as they are compatible with
surrounding neighborhoods.
Little consensus, and no clear majority, appears in the hundreds of
pages of e-mail correspondence obtained from the county. And both sides
claim to speak for the Millcreek majority.
"Why do our elected officials continue to believe this [plan] is
supported by a large contingent of their constituents : it's not," commenter
Curt Dowdle wrote.
Another resident, Chris Hoefelmeier, also claimed a majority view when
criticizing the super-sizing of Millcreek homes as a "disturbing trend of
selfish individuals/developers" that must be curbed to preserve the
character of the community's neighborhoods.
At one point, county planner Tom Schafer lamented in an e-mail: "This
issue has, I fear, assumed such emotional weight within the community that I
don't believe anyone will truly be happy with any outcome."
That prediction may hold true this week as the Millcreek Planning
Commission takes up its latest planning proposal. Both sides have expressed
displeasure with the draft: one because the building restrictions go too far
and the other because they don't go far enough.
Stephanie Peterson has a lot riding on that debate.
"We are planning on living here forever," the young mother of three
explained. "If we cannot build a home that can accommodate our family, we
probably will have to move."
But the same is true of Cheryl Nunez (pictured left with husband Mario),
who speaks about the neighbor children playing in her yard because there is
not enough room on their own property. She hopes for building standards
that will allow for a little more green space to keep her neighborhood's
treescaped, historic atmosphere intact. She doesn't want rooftops to chase
away the scenic seclusion, and occasional critters, outside her Millcreek
home.
"We will keep at it," pledged Mayor Peter Corroon, "until the community
councils say, 'Yes, this works' or 'No, we don't want it.' "
ALSO IN THIS EDITION:
Shoddy Fairmont Park to get a new shine - Derek P. Jensen, The Salt Lake
Tribune, March 5, 2009
Museum board fights to save historic Riverton house - Donald W. Meyers, The
Salt Lake Tribune, March 4, 2009
There's money for Old Town available - Jay Hamburger, Park Record, March 3,
2009
Old Town protections expanded - Jay Hamburger, Park Record, February 27,
2009
ARCHITECTURE AND PRESERVATION AROUND THE GLOBE
SAVE THESE DATES FOR UHF EVENTS
NEW FROM THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Utah's National Register is ONLINE!
Utah's National Register of Historic Places nominations have been digitized
and are now online.
The following link is to the National Register search page:
<
http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreghome.do?searchtype=natreghome>
http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreghome.do?searchtype=natreghome
New to the Nation Register of historic Places
UTAH, SUMMIT COUNTY UTAH, SUMMIT COUNTY,
Boyden Block Beggs,
Ellsworth J., House,
2 S. Main St. 703 Park
Ave.,
Coalville, 09000019 Park City,
84002240,
LISTED, 2/06/09 PROPOSED MOVE
APPROVED, 2/09/09
(Mining Boom Era Houses TR)
LOCAL ARCHITECTURE AND PRESERVATION
Shoddy Fairmont Park to get a new shine - Derek P. Jensen,The Salt Lake
Tribune, March 5, 2009
<
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11830693>
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11830693
Museum board fights to save historic Riverton house - Donald W. Meyers, The
Salt Lake Tribune, March 4, 2009
<
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11827913>
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11827913
There's money for Old Town available - Jay Hamburger, Park Record, March 3,
2009
<
http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_11827721>
http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_11827721
Old Town protections expanded - Jay Hamburger, Park Record, February 27,
2009
<
http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_11802225>
http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_11802225
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2
UHF Members Invited to Tour the Downey Mansion
Utah Heritage Foundation members are invited to join us on Saturday,
March 28 to tour one of South Temple's stately landmarks: the Major Downey
Mansion at 808 E. South Temple. The owners of the mansion, Jon Lear and
Phillip Lear of Lear & Lear Law Offices, will open the doors for two hours
that morning from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon for our members to view the
renovated interior. Along with Utah Heritage Foundation docents, co-owner
Jon Lear will be on hand to explain the process of refurbishing the
116-year-old structure and to highlight its features both original and new.
The Major Downey Mansion was designed by Frederick Albert Hale, one of
Salt Lake's prominent 19th-century architects. Among his local notable
structures are the David Keith Mansion, Alta Club, Elks Club, First United
Methodist Church, and the Maryland Apartments on South Temple. The Downey
Mansion is a fine example of the Victorian "seaside" or "shingle" house
originating in Bristol, England and popular along the northeastern seaboard
of the U.S. It is one of three homes on South Temple built in this style.
It was occupied by Civil War veteran Major George Downey and his family
until well into the 1920's.
Starting in the 1930's, the house served as an apartment building for
many decades, until it was converted into a mixed-use office and residential
building in the 1970's. Phillip and Jon Lear bought the house in 2005, and
began work with architectural firm Cooper, Roberts, Simonsen Associates to
respectfully transform a 19th-century structure to serve the functional
needs and energy efficiency standards of a 21st-century law office.
Don't miss this opportunity on March 28, 10:00 a.m. until noon, to tour
this fascinating rehabilitation project that incorporates both historic
preservation and "green" energy sustainability.
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ARCHITECTURE AND PRESERVATION AROUND THE GLOBE
Frank Gehry considers an accomplished past and uncertain future -
Christopher Hawthorne, Los Angeles Times, March1, 2009-03-06
<
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-frank-gehry1-2009mar01,0,62
87016.story>
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-frank-gehry1-2009mar01,0,628
7016.story
Architecture Gets its Close-up - Sam Lubell, The Architects Newspaper Blog,
March 5, 2009
<
http://blog.archpaper.com/wordpress/2009/03/05/architecture-gets-its-close-
up/>
http://blog.archpaper.com/wordpress/2009/03/05/architecture-gets-its-close-u
p/
Can modern architecture be truly sustainable? - Editorial, Building Design,
The Architect's Website, March 6, 2009
<
http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=427&storycode=3135546&c=2&e
ncCode=0000000001920219>
http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=427&storycode=3135546&c=2&en
cCode=0000000001920219
Greening the Prison-Industrial Complex - Beth Schwartzapfel, The New York
Times, March 3, 2009
<
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/greening-the-prison-industrial
-complex/>
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/greening-the-prison-industrial-
complex/
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SAVE THESE DATES FOR UHF EVENTS
April 30 - May 2
Utah Preservation Conference
Modern Ideas | Historic Places
April 30
Charles Phoenix's Retro Vacation Slide Show Tour of the USA!
5:30 PM at the Salt Lake Main Library
May 1
Education Session, 9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Heritage Award Luncheon, 12:00 - 1:15 PM
May 2
Yalecrest Historic Homes Tour
10:00 AM - 5:00PM
Register Online Today!
Traditional Building Skills Institute Workshops - Ephraim, UT
For full calendar, visit their website:
<
http://www.snow.edu/tbsi/class-schedule.html>
http://www.snow.edu/tbsi/class-schedule.html
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NEW FROM THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
NTHPlogo
<
http://www.PreservationNation.org>
www.PreservationNation.org
<
http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/travel/gamsa/> 2009
Great American Main Street Winners
Big box strip malls, planned "town centers" and suburban sprawl have left
many Main Streets and city business districts depressed and abandoned. But
many communities made a comeback and have transformed their older and
historic downtowns and shopping districts into vibrant places to live, work,
and play--without sacrificing what makes them special. The Great American
Main Street Awards (GAMSA) celebrate those places that have done this
exceptionally well. In 2009, the five GAMSA winners range from a colorful
mid-Atlantic beach town with year-round appeal, to a Baltimore neighborhood
with a seafaring past and a bright future, to California wine country's best
kept secret.
<
http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/travel/gamsa/>
http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/travel/gamsa/
Story of the Week
The Last of the Polo Grounds: New York City Will Repair a Forgotten
Staircase
Chris Epting | Online Only | Mar. 6, 2009
<
http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/story-of-the-week/2009/the-last-
of-the-polo-grounds.html>
http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/story-of-the-week/2009/the-last-o
f-the-polo-grounds.html
Public Policy Weekly Bulletin
<
http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/newsletters/public-policy-weekl
y-bulletin/PPWB_02-27-09_FINAL.pdf> February 27, 2009, Vol. 4, Issue 7 -
Read about the funding provided for historic preservation and cultural
resource preservation in the House-passed omnibus appropriations bill that
addresses leftover spending bills from the 110th Congress for fiscal year
2009; and, the release of the Obama administration's budget-in-brief for
fiscal year 2010 outlining plans for the federal government's $3.6 trillion
budget.
<
http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/newsletters/public-policy-weekl
y-bulletin/PPWB_02-27-09_FINAL.pdf>
http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/newsletters/public-policy-weekly
-bulletin/PPWB_02-27-09_FINAL.pdf
<
http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/newsletters/public-policy-weekl
y-bulletin/PPWB_02-13-09_FINAL_web.pdf> February 13, 2009, Vol. 4, Issue 6 -
Read the highlights of the major differences in the recovery bills as well
as some of the
early details about the conference agreement items affecting historic
preservation.
<
http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/newsletters/public-policy-weekl
y-bulletin/PPWB_02-13-09_FINAL_web.pdf>
http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/newsletters/public-policy-weekly
-bulletin/PPWB_02-13-09_FINAL_web.pdf
Seeking funds for planning your preservation project or to hire a consultant
to get that project off the ground? Apply for a grant from the Utah
Preservation Initiatives Fund (UPIF) by contacting Amy Cole at the National
Trust for Historic Preservation at <mailto:amy_cole@???>
amy_cole@??? or (303) 623-1504. Grants are available in three rounds
per year - February 1, June 1 and October 1 - and awarded on a competitive
basis!
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Utah Heritage Foundation │ P.O. Box 28 │ Salt Lake City │ UT │ 84110-0028 │
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http://www.utahheritagefoundation.org/>
www.utahheritagefoundation.org
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