Florence Historical Commission: Part II - Taking Care of Friends?

 

When we hear of historical preservation, we usually think of maintaining appropriate house colors or banning Art Deco fountains in the front garden of Victorian homes. Yet, it can be much more than that.

We've been presented with two theories concerning recent events with historic districts in Florence. One involves the historical preservation commission's close ties to two local banks. Is making restoration/repairs/improvements as expensive as possible a means of padding the pockets of local bankers? While we hadn't considered that before, it is an interesting theory.

The second scenario concerns Beverly Avenue in the newly minted McFarland district. Looking at the topmost map above, you can see that only one lot on Beverly is part of the historic district. Looking at the second map, you can see that this lot is the only area to the east of Beverly with an edifice. So, it makes sense that this is the only parcel to be included?

Perhaps, but we have to ask about the two lots to the south. What will they be exempt from? Will zoning automatically prevent Al's Bait World from building there?

Or perhaps the one lot's inclusion was simply to prevent the widening of Beverly Avenue? Many have asked why a new College Street outlet to Coffee Road is necessary as long as Beverly fills the need?

We support the College Street widening and new bridge. What we don't support is lining the pockets of the owners of property at this geographic junction or forcing current West Florence residents to give up their homes...unless they want to.

No, we're not sure that Beverly would make a good shortcut to any new West Florence business district, but there are better ways of preventing this than gerrymandering historical districts. Further, if Coffee Road/College Street does become the next "big thing" for the city, everyone needs to look at which property owners benefit.

When in Doubt, Ask the Dude...