Published: May 14, 2008 04:00 am         

Landmark preservation is promoted at meeting

ONEONTA _ A community liaison from the state Historic Preservation Office outlined the benefits of preservation ordinances at a Greater Oneonta Historical Society-sponsored forum Tuesday.

Although Oneonta has two historic districts and has several sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, there is still a concern among GOHS members that Oneonta landmarks could be lost to the wrecking ball.

"Each of us probably has our own list of lost Oneonta landmarks," said Bob Brzozowski of GOHS during his introduction of Julian Adams of SHPO.

Brzozowski said examples are the recent demolition of the oldest stone house in Oneonta, as well as the loss of an historic Walnut Street home several years ago.

There are also concerns about the future of the former Bresee's complex, including a carriage house that is connected to the main building, he said.

Simply being listed on the National Register of Historic Places is not enough to save a landmark, Adams said.

This is often misunderstood, he explained.

"You can list your building Monday and tear it down on Tuesday," Adams said.

But a local preservation ordinance _ which Oneonta does not have _ can help prevent such losses by instituting a formal oversight process whenever a property owner wishes to tear down or renovate a property officially recognized by the community as historic.

A greater role of local government in historic preservation is supported by federal courts, said Adams, who manages the state's Certified Local Government Program. That program serves, in part, as a template for communities seeking a preservation ordinance.

There are 1,228 communities in the country with CLGs, Adams said, and 60 are in New York.

Seventh Ward Alderman Liz Shannon, who was joined at the meeting by Eighth Ward Alderman Kevin Hodne, said no one at City Hall is discussing the drafting of preservation ordinance.

But Shannon said she wants to know how the community feels about it.

"That's why I am here," she said.

Hodne, who along with Shannon are Democrats serving on the city Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, said he supports the idea of historic preservation but is concerned moving forward with an ordinance could be a touchy subject for some property owners.

Shannon said IGA may discuss the idea at its next meeting Thursday, but it is not on the agenda.