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Historic Preservation Commission <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />Jessie Delaplain, resident, represents her family whose home burned in the <br />Marshall Fire. They moved into the East St after the fire. She says it is a hidden <br />gem for many reasons including its location, history, beauty, and open space <br />surrounding. East Street has been a perfect place for her family during recovery <br />and rebuilding. East Street has a lot of living history and it is sad to see it <br />demolished. It will be bittersweet to leave because it has been such a special <br />experience. <br />John Erikson, resident, just moved to East St a few months ago. Sadly he is <br />being displaced for the third time from rentals in the area. He laments the trend <br />toward homogeneity in housing developments. He expresses that his cabin is a <br />beautiful home with a lot of character and it shouldn't be destroyed. <br />Discussion by Commissioners: <br />Dalia says he is appreciative and sympathetic to the neighbors who came to <br />speak because housing affordability is a tough issue. He says HPC shouldn't use <br />a 180 day stay to postpone the inevitable, with the view that there have been two <br />prior applications. Unfortunately significant social history does not merit a stay. <br />However, he is careful to say that it is not a forgone conclusion. He does not <br />think HPC should penalize the new owner. <br />Dunlap appreciates public comments about these properties. He hopes the city <br />can do things to help with affordable and appropriate housing. HPC would like to <br />see historic properties preserved. Unfortunately a stay is about all HPC can do, <br />and this has been done a couple times already. <br />Anderson expresses that a 180 day stay is still on the table. However he notes <br />that a 180 day stay probably will not change the inevitable outcome. <br />Burg reiterates the review history and notes that there are a lot of competing <br />needs, wants, and desires. Burg mentions that this started in subcommittee and <br />part of the subcommittee inquiry was if the owners was aware of all options and <br />paths forward. Owners are not interested in maintaining the structures, and the <br />180 day stay does not do much other than delay the inevitable. <br />Haley says that these structures qualify for landmarking, however a 180 stay <br />might be punitive to the new owner given the review history. The property is <br />lovely and super unique to Louisville, so the decision is hard. <br />Anderson asks if there is any potential for the homes to be saved or relocated <br />and if there is anything they could be used for. <br />Haley says the City has not had much success with moving properties and cites <br />the Hecla casino and mining cabins. The main issue is that finding land is <br />difficult. It is not off the table, but all the moving parts would have to come <br />together. Also, moving structures across the railroad tracks is a big deal. It is not <br />impossible, but it would be rather difficult. <br />Burg said it would be nice if the cabins could be moved if possible, but that it is <br />nothing that HPC can mandate. <br />Haley says just because they are released tonight, does not mean they are torn <br />down tomorrow. There is always the possibility of discussion between the <br />community and owners about timelines. <br />q <br />