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Fernandina
‘Historic District’ News
May, 2008 For and about Fernandina
Beach’s Historic District Publisher/Editor Chuck Hall
Hardy-Board is Approved?
If you live in the Historic District, you have surely heard
about the request by a resident here to place Hardy-board siding on
the entire exterior of her home. The Historic District Council
originally turned down that request.
Well, not to be daunted, the resident found a lawyer, and the case
was re-heard again recently, with the new testimonial of a historic
structure expert testifying to the age and condition of the
structure, and he confirmed that the existing wood siding was not
original anyway. So, the HDC approved the replacement.
There was a lot of talk around town about how the original ruling
was unfair, and how Hardy Board is a fine material, etc, etc. Well
friends, I am obliged to chime in on that approval, and the tempest
surrounding the debate
.
First of all, I don’t really take a position concerning the use of
Hardy Board, as it is indeed a great product, and I have used it
myself many times. In fact, with the overwhelming body of evidence
supporting the use of such a product, one would be foolish to say
it’s not a quality substitute. Enough said about that.
My concern is really about something altogether different. I am
concerned about the strength of the Historic District Council, and
the support they get from us. I think they got far too much
criticism about their first ruling.
Consider this; these folk are all unpaid volunteers. They don’t get
thanked often enough for the work they put into this good task.
Secondly, they are not engineering or construction professionals.
For the most part, they are just like you and me, average working
folk that have a sincere interest in preserving the Historic
District.
So, they had to wait for credible testimony before allowing a
radical change to a historic house with a modern product!
Sometimes residents might not agree with them in their opinion about
what is historic and what is not. Some even think the Council makes
unfair decisions. I guess this is bound to happen.
But in the long run; for the ‘big picture’, I’d like to think that
we’ll end up with a Historic District that will be true to our
heritage, and valuable for our children. I’d like to see the HDC
receive appropriate support from the City Commission, and the City
attorney, too. Surprisingly enough, I might even like to see some of
the guidelines even more strictly enforced (I can’t believe I said
that).
Some of us might not like what the Council says, even I have had my
share of problems there, but we must remember: "Preservation of
the past secures our future"
So, when you see a member of the HDC, give them a hug.
Advertising
Racks Downtown
Have you ever noticed how many advertising racks there are
downtown? Once you have noticed them, they seem to be everywhere!
The city attorney, the merchants association (HFBA), and the
advertisers are in discussions right now about how to cut back on
this odd proliferation of multi-colored boxes along the streets.
The problem is that there are too many boxes, located in too many
places. These boxes are all different colors, shapes and sizes. Some
are damaged, and some are even abandoned! They become shifted about,
and overall it has become an eyesore.
So, the city is attempting to place a limit on all this confusion by
providing racks to the advertisers to place the boxes in, creating a
more organized look. I’m pretty excited about anything that can
clean up the streets in the Historic District, and I’m looking
forward to some real results.
It seems odd to me that the City ever allowed anyone to put
advertising boxes anywhere they wished. I guess it just sneaked up
on them over the years.
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