Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2020 01 13

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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes December 16t", 2019 Page 4 of 13 Tanya Johnson, 509 La Farge, was also concerned by tearing down the house and building something so large. Her house was moved from Superior in 1944 and she was personally interested in maintaining that character. She asked if a duplex was legal or if it required some additional permitting. She voiced concern over the maximum lot square footage. Jean Morgan, 1131 Spruce Street, started by reading a note from Barb Hesson, 526 La Farge, which read, have been raised here and am now a senior citizen. 1. La Farge Street already has parking problems. 2. I don't appreciate it when I walk out of my front door and see a duplex. When people come in and buy our older homes and tear them down, they leave town and stick us with the mess 3. When is Louisville going to stop this problem? Morgan explained that she had lived in Louisville for 50 years and that her house was landmarked. She was concerned by the buy -and -scrapes in Louisville. She was hoping that the current owners could add onto the current home and asked them to consider an alternative that left the main side alone. She asked the Commission to help City Council maintain the Old Town flavor and neighborhoods through new regulations. It saddened her to know that a buyer could alter a home and then move on with a profit but leave the neighborhood worse off. Scott Deborski, 565 La Farge Avenue, shared that his grandpa spent 60 years in the coal mines and that he himself had lived in Louisville his whole life. He described his ancestors who worked in the mines. He explained that they lived in that house until 1982. He stated that the lot sizes were what made Louisville great and kids didn't have yards anymore. He thought it was important that the City keep its history. He acknowledged that progress is what brings new people to town and is what had brought his grandfather to town. He thought that the landowner should have shared what he was planning to do at this location. He did not think the duplex belonged in the location. He noted that most houses in the neighborhood did not have garages, so residents had to park on the street, and this development would add to the parking problem. He described his life in the neighborhood, including how the neighbors knew each other. He asked the Commission to place the stay if that was in their power and take it to Council if not. He asked them to protect his family memories and protect Louisville. Martina Kuhar, 549 La Farge Avenue, shared that she was an immigrant herself and came straight to Louisville. Her house was on the right-hand side of the property. She explained that she had just changed her home but kept the historic character. She could not imagine adding a duplex without completely destroying the neighborhood. She explained that it was going to block the light coming into her home. She was upset that the planner had come without plans to share to the residents. Michael Deborski, 601 Pine Street, stated that he and his brother were passionate about their family home and that at 601 Pine Street his family was five generations deep. His family had a lot of history in that house. He stated that no matter what 5