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By Holly Schoenstein
Special to the Beacon Journal
POSTED: 12:24 p.m. EDT, Jun 16, 2009
TALLMADGE: History, or at least what constitutes a historic structure, continues to be revised in Tallmadge.
The city's attempt to create a list of historic structures that would be subject to more stringent review before repairs and improvements can be made continues to rankle some.
City Council signed off the list last week, but it left the door open for further tinkering of the list.
Twelve property owners asked council to remove their properties from the list — council agreed to exclude just four.
Mayor Christopher Grimm said another ordinance that includes additional properties that will be excluded may be introduced soon. Another measure is being mulled that would loosen the restrictions for those structures on the list.
The Tallmadge Heritage Commission came up with a list of structures, a combination of homes and businesses that are at least 100 years old and deemed to have historic or architectural significance.
Proponents say the list will help protect the structures from being demolished or vastly renovated.
But some of the buildings' owners contend that being on the list will be burdensome.
Todd and Kerry Yaquinto, who own a home on North Avenue and a business on Northeast Avenue, said they realized when they bought the property it was located within the city's Design Control District (DCD) — a controlled zoning area that extends about a quarter of a mile in each direction from the circle.
Todd Yaquinto said they didn't realize their home, which is located outside of the district, would be placed on another list that would be the subject of further scrutiny before exterior repairs and work could be performed. The couple already had a renovation project in the works and not sure what the inclusion on the list may mean.
''It's going to increase costs, time and planning,'' Todd Yaquinto said.
Other property owners have raised similar concerns. Some fear it may be difficult to resell a property that is on the list.
Patti Passarelli, chairwoman of the Heritage Commission, said the city's goal has been to preserve its historic charm.
Last year, the city hired an architect to review each structure in the community that was 100 years old or older. To make the list, a structure had to meet one of 10 criteria, ranging from whether it is a significant part of the community's history to whether it is even suitable and economically feasible for preservation or restoration.
So far, the city has excluded 19 properties that were on the original list — that leaves 65 structures.
Passarelli said she understands the Yaquintos' frustration.
''It's a beautiful home, and every renovation he's done has been beautiful,'' Passarelli said.
Pat Sauner, the city's director of community development, said grant money for exterior repair and maintenance — possibly up to $5,000 per structure every five years — may be available in the future to help offset some of the costs that may result from being included on the list.
''We don't have the funding at this point,'' Sauner said.
Tallmadge residents Vicki and Joe McVey don't consider their East Howe Road home, built in 1823, to be historic. They think it is ''just old.''
The couple would prefer that their home not be included on the list.
''In the beginning we were really upset about it, but now we're over it,'' Vicki McVey said.
Todd Yaquinto said he isn't ''over it.''
''It's our house. We feel that we should have a choice,'' he said.
Sauner said the city is looking to its past as it looks toward the future.
''We're just about to begin the process of what we want our community to look like 20 to 30 years from now,'' he said. ''Our ultimate goal is an attractive-looking community and a blend of new construction with historic structures in the community.''
TALLMADGE: History, or at least what constitutes a historic structure, continues to be revised in Tallmadge.
The city's attempt to create a list of historic structures that would be subject to more stringent review before repairs and improvements can be made continues to rankle some.
City Council signed off the list last week, but it left the door open for further tinkering of the list.
Twelve property owners asked council to remove their properties from the list — council agreed to exclude just four.
Mayor Christopher Grimm said another ordinance that includes additional properties that will be excluded may be introduced soon. Another measure is being mulled that would loosen the restrictions for those structures on the list.
The Tallmadge Heritage Commission came up with a list of structures, a combination of homes and businesses that are at least 100 years old and deemed to have historic or architectural significance.
Proponents say the list will help protect the structures from being demolished or vastly renovated.
But some of the buildings' owners contend that being on the list will be burdensome.
Todd and Kerry Yaquinto, who own a home on North Avenue and a business on Northeast Avenue, said they realized when they bought the property it was located within the city's Design Control District (DCD) — a controlled zoning area that extends about a quarter of a mile in each direction from the circle.
Todd Yaquinto said they didn't realize their home, which is located outside of the district, would be placed on another list that would be the subject of further scrutiny before exterior repairs and work could be performed. The couple already had a renovation project in the works and not sure what the inclusion on the list may mean.
''It's going to increase costs, time and planning,'' Todd Yaquinto said.
Other property owners have raised similar concerns. Some fear it may be difficult to resell a property that is on the list.
Patti Passarelli, chairwoman of the Heritage Commission, said the city's goal has been to preserve its historic charm.
Last year, the city hired an architect to review each structure in the community that was 100 years old or older. To make the list, a structure had to meet one of 10 criteria, ranging from whether it is a significant part of the community's history to whether it is even suitable and economically feasible for preservation or restoration.
So far, the city has excluded 19 properties that were on the original list — that leaves 65 structures.
Passarelli said she understands the Yaquintos' frustration.
''It's a beautiful home, and every renovation he's done has been beautiful,'' Passarelli said.
Pat Sauner, the city's director of community development, said grant money for exterior repair and maintenance — possibly up to $5,000 per structure every five years — may be available in the future to help offset some of the costs that may result from being included on the list.
''We don't have the funding at this point,'' Sauner said.
Tallmadge residents Vicki and Joe McVey don't consider their East Howe Road home, built in 1823, to be historic. They think it is ''just old.''
The couple would prefer that their home not be included on the list.
''In the beginning we were really upset about it, but now we're over it,'' Vicki McVey said.
Todd Yaquinto said he isn't ''over it.''
''It's our house. We feel that we should have a choice,'' he said.
Sauner said the city is looking to its past as it looks toward the future.
''We're just about to begin the process of what we want our community to look like 20 to 30 years from now,'' he said. ''Our ultimate goal is an attractive-looking community and a blend of new construction with historic structures in the community.''
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Akron, OH
Posted 12:32 PM, 06/16/2009
Just another of governmental officials sticking their nose into the business of private property owners.
Hopefully Tallmadge's voters will hold these politicians accountable at the ballot box.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 01:30 PM, 06/16/2009
Why does Tallmadge think it's so special? Go to Kent or Ravenna or Salem etc. and there are gorgeous old homes galore. Were there ever that many in Tallmadge?
Akron, OH
Posted 01:47 PM, 06/16/2009
Too late in the day for a cogent comment from Grump. He's had his sponge bath and now enjoying his afternoon nap.
The mayor & council "tinkers" while the taxpayers and homeowners are held hostage. Watch out, Grimmly. It might not take until next election for Tallamdge voters to take action. Do we smell another area recall in the making?
Naples, fl
Posted 03:38 PM, 06/16/2009
Perhaps the mayor and council should have considered preserving the "historic charm" of the Tallmadge Circle before jumping into private residential properties. The Tallmadge Circle is a sad looking area that was once beautiful, and yes, historic looking. Today, it is just disgraceful looking.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 06:58 PM, 06/16/2009
All this fuss about the historic homes being kept up, yet they are okaying the construction of Section 8 and Subsidized housing in the same area? These two don't mesh with the beauty of what Tallmadge is. Keep them out of Tallmadge. Let Mayor Donny Boy enjoy the Section 8 and Subsidized folks - your not wanted in tallmadge folks.
Canton, Oh
Posted 07:33 PM, 06/16/2009
I would have thought that Grump and overtaxed voter would have been proud to see Tallmadege honor its history since they have been around since Tallmadge was founded. The article never says anything about Section 8 houses Grump give it a rest.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:23 AM, 06/17/2009
@ Big J: The section 8 housing regards a proposed subsidized three-story senior housing project by a developer who makes his bread and butter out of cranking out such projects and IMO buttering up local governments for the right to so do. The info was in a poorly-scribed BJ article buried a few days ago. Left out plenty of facts (When will Tall Council vote? Who is this guy? What about the problems his Columbia SC "development" caused area retailers and taxpayers?).
As a senior myself, three stories are two stories too many when it comes to resident safety for senior living.
Tallmadge is sho' goin' crazy. Get 'em, Grump!
