The chair of the Orange Historic Preservation Commission Tuesday night said the group had a ‘Catch 22’ to decide about a house that is nearly a century old.
Ben Meadows questioned whether the commission should allow the property owner to demolish the house or should the commission block the demolition, even though the owner said he can’t afford to repair it.
David Hock, the owner of a wood-frame house at 1212 Cherry Avenue, requested permission to demolish it. Hock lives next door to the house.
He said he is 78-years-old and can’t do the repairs. He has a low-price bid for the demolition and the price could go up $2,000 to $3,000 if the work isn’t done soon.
The historical preservation commission is to approve all demolitions in the Old Orange Historic District.
City staff reported the house could be repaired economically.
Leslie Barras, a lawyer who lives in The District, said the house should be preserved. Her research shows the house was built between 1914 and 1919. The design is a Victorian-style cottage built by the middle class, she said.
Hock said he put an ad in the newspaper a couple of years ago offering to give the house away if someone would move it. No one took the offer.
City councilwoman Annette Pernell, who also lives in The District, offered a vacant lot she owns for someone to move the house and repair it.
The commission decided not to interfere with the rights of a property owner. The members asked Hock to wait a week to see if Pernell can get someone to move the house. If not, he will be allowed to get a city permit for the demolition.
In addition, the commission gave another 30 day extension to James Green to continue repairing a vacant house at 1107 Third Street.
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