1986-07-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e ~ Minutes - Plan Commission Page 3 July 23, 1986 Mr. Gantz noted that the last page of the Application listed the Landmark Standards which, if adopted, would guide the Historic Preservation Commission in decisions regarding proposed demolition and rehabilitation of each of the three sites. The Commission would recommend preservation of the original portions of each building and the basic relationship of the buildings. Mr. Gantz reiterated that even absent local designation, the Commission, as an advisory body to the Plan Commission and City Council, has the power to review applications for demolition permits for all three school buildings and would make recommendations regarding demolition to the Zoning Administrator. Mr. Gantz realized that the issue regarding designation of the Education District was the market status of Hanley Jr. High School which is currently vacant and for sale by the School District. Should the District be designated a local historic district, he said the School District as well as the City would be able to present developers with a clear view of the priorities and potential for the building's rehabilitation and development of the site. Chairman Hamilton called on Dr. Harold Dodge, Superintendent of University City Schools, to clarify the school district's position on the Application. Dr. Dodge stated that the School Board had been notified in March of the recommendation that the three schools be included in a local historic district. He and other Board members attended the public hearing held by the Historic Preservation Commission in April to express their concerns regarding the demolition and extensive design review that in his estimation, would limit developers' options in rehabilitation of the building and thus lower potential bids to purchase the property. The rising insurance costs and continued deterioration of the Jr. High School building contributed to the costs of keeping the property on the market and the consequent need for an adequate return on its sale. Dr. Dodge reported that the Board had received several low bids for the purchase of Hanley Jr. High School - bids which, according to state law, were too low for the Board to accept in the School District's interest. One bid of over one million dollars had been accepted; however, the option contract expired after the developer was unsuccessful in an attempt to raise enough money for residential rehab of the building. A second million dollar bid by the Midland Group of St. Louis would most probably fail because, according to Dr. Dodge, the City was unwilling to rezone the site for a retail commercial use and authorize demolition of the building. The Board had consulted its own architects regarding rehabilitation costs. The Board was advised that rehab for an education use would be too expensive; rehabilitation costs for a residential use would be too expensive to support a million dollar bid from any developer. Considering these factors, Dr. Dodge stated that the Board opposed the Application because, in its estimation, local designation would further restrict developer's options in rehabilitation of the Hanley building and limit the School District's return on sale of the building. The Board, however, would be willing to negotiate alternative deed covenants for the site with the Historic Preservation Commission.