wrong way. Several times I have been in the middle of a renovation and have had to keep going back for revisions as the project progresses. Every change is another fee and a month's wait. Renovating an historic building is costly and difficult and the process just makes it a bigger problem. The permitting and code enforcement are even worse. I'm think I can now get a "stop work" order for (just) thinking about work. I had a guy do some scrapping on XXXX to see how badly it needed primer and paint and got a stop work order a couple of weeks ago. I think we have done our last renovation in the HD.
Chuck,
As I've said before, I believe we need to have our property taxes reduced in the National Historic District. The tax rate needs to be cut in half. We pay among the highest taxes in the state, while being the keepers of the culture and history that drives tourism and builds community pride. We are homeowners in the Historic District because we choose to contribute to Fernandina's unique past and future. We do not need to be punished for doing so.
Hundred + year old homes need constant maintenance, and further, just as you said, repairs and renovations are not being done for fears of taxes going up, which they will. Newer homes do not have a fraction of concerns or upkeep that we have. Nor are they contributing to Fernandina's living history.
A petition thoughtfully constructed and reviewed by an atty. (perhaps one in the hist. dist.)
might be a beginning. The fees you ran into are just plain silly for the HDC and the non-historic stairway you refer to.
I will be HAPPY to share my experiences with the HDC and Building Dept..which is lately more onerous than the HDC. I am SO frustrated at just trying to get normal things done.
I would love to replace my driveway, but the thought of going through all the motions is overwhelming.
I was told that I should put ALL the things I want to do on my one permit, so I wouldn't have to pay that $200 everytime I had to ask Mother May I. What arrogance. The problem is that when you are low income/fixed income you can't do everything that one year it's valid.
Besides, with the modular/mobile homes that have been put up on Cedar and 4th, why should I care anymore about the way things are done ?
Chuck,
I feel your pain !! I have been told that I have to keep my toolshed 8 feet from any side fence and 3 feet off the back. Which, on a small lot puts it sitting in the middle of the tiny bit of grass that I have and looks ridiculous.
I want to put it 3 feet or even only 5 feet off the side fence.
The file for a Variance costs $650 !!!!!!!!!!!!
On a $1,400 6 x 8 TOOLSHED the fees and permits would be a MINIMUM of $865.
HDC $15
Building Request $200
Variance $650
Building Permit Itself ????
I am fixed income, low income and it took me 14 months to save $1,400, which means that my Certificate of Appropriateness has expired, so add another $15 for a minimum of $880, which is 63% of the total cost.
If the house at 6th and Broome had to pay the same percentage of fees, I would imagine they would pay around $346,500 in fees BEFORE getting the permit itself !!!!
To me this feels like a Class Action suit. HOW are low income people supposed to get any improvements done ? When I moved in, the house had not been painted for 15 years and the previous owners stored all their tools and lawn mower on the front porch.
Now, the house is going to be on the Historic Tour. BUT I am punished for trying to preserve and improve the city's livelihood !!!
I am FURIOUS !!!!!!!
Hi Chuck,
That $200 does seem way excessive, and you make a good point. I don't live in the historic district but appreciate all you folks do to make it a place we enjoy, boast about and show off to visiting friends and family. You should be encouraged and rewarded...
Chuck:
LOL I love the line, "it's best not to watch sausage being made..." That was great! And so true! :)
I totally agree with you about the HDC fees. As you well know XXXXX has had battles with the HDC as well; but to charge $200.00 just to be able to speak with them? To me, that is outrageous. It doesn't encourage our HD residents to maintain their homes properly. Especially if they must ask permission before each and every little thing they do. It's too bad they don't ask for a donation rather than a required fee. Do you, as homeowners, pay into a "homeowner's association" of sorts?
Chuck,
you are lucky that it was only $200. Did you know if the cost of the project is more than (sorry forget the amount) that the fee increases to $500. You are right about people not wanting to wait or spend that type of money.
Chuck:
You really hit the nail on the head with the difficulty of historic district work. Seems like I now can get a "stop work order" just for thinking about an improvement. I'm that dangerous a guy. I think we also need an awards system. Where the HDC designates "the best contribution to the historic district" or the "best adaptive reuse in the historic district". How about the "best renovation". It should be more about recognition and less about enforcement. Less about restrictive procedures, fees and fines to a celebration of progress. And announce the winners at the Hall's Labor Day event! We all want the same thing for the historic district.