Gazette.Net: New Frederick city law would delay demolition of older structures

Concern over the demolition of the historic Park Hall Mansion last year helped spur the Frederick Board of Aldermen to unanimously approve an ordinance Thursday to delay destruction of older buildings in the city.

Under the new law, which will apply to both private and public properties, the city Planning Commission must review plans to tear down buildings that are more than 50 years old before presenting its findings to the five aldermen for final approval.

The maximum wait for review is 30 days, under the ordinance, which takes effect immediately.

Alderman Karen Young (D) who conducted the public hearing Wednesday because Mayor Randy McClement (R) was delayed in returning from a conference of Maryland mayors said the ordinance was needed to preserve the citys historic character.

If you talk to anybody, whether they live here or theyre a tourist or theyre throughout the state, when you think of Frederick, you think of its rich historical tradition and architecture, she said. I would make a case thats what drives our economic development. You start denigrating that, and you start tearing at the core of what were about. If we dont put something in place we will lose more historic properties.

The ordinance was motivated in part by the demolition of the Park Hall Mansion on East Patrick Street last summer, which began without a permit.

The mansion, built in the 1800s, is owned by Dewey Jordan Inc., which started to tear down the building without getting city approval. A permit was issued after the demolition had begun.

Alderman Michael OConnor (D) said the new process would prevent such issues in the future.

There was no ability to review that property, Park Hall, when it was demolished without a permit, OConnor said. Against the law, illegally demolished. There was no opportunity. This creates a process that allows for a property such as that to be reviewed for its historic nature....

This doesnt require a property to be preserved. It doesnt say a property cant be torn down. Its a tool to make sure a resource that has value doesnt get torn down before we have a chance to review the value, he said.

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Gazette.Net: New Frederick city law would delay demolition of older structures