Fate of historic preservation commission tabled until November

It was standing room only at the Village of Owego board meeting last Monday as a public hearing regarding a change to Local Law #3, which would enable the abolishment of the Owego Historic Preservation Commission (OHPC), was on the agenda.

Because there was such a large turnout, the maximum allowed capacity of 49 in the Village Board room was exceeded and the meeting was forced to move to the Legislative Conference Room at the Tioga County Building instead.

With emotions running high on the side of homeowners in the historic district that feel slighted, and those on the commission who are standing their ground, varying opinions, pro and con, were shared during last Monday’s hearing, which lasted for a couple of hours.

The OHPC was formed 20 years ago, according to their website, with a goal to preserve and enhance the historic character and spirit of the Village of Owego. The website further stated that people who visit, live or work in the Historic District of Owego all benefit from the historic nature of the Village, and the Commission strives to assist those property owners who endeavor to maintain or restore Owego structures. Owego resident Mark Trabucco chairs the committee. 

But not all property owners feel they are being assisted, and several spoke out at the hearing.

Regina Thompson, who owns a property at 223 Front St. in Owego, stated that she fought with OHPC over a garage.

“They weren’t happy that we didn’t hire an architect,” stated Thompson about the construction of a garage on their property. 

But others, to include Owego resident Richard VanHall, who has served on the commission in the past, feel that the OHPC provides a vital service to preserving the area’s history, and recommended a homeowner’s support group be formed to allow homeowners an opportunity to understand the value and benefits of staying within the commission’s guidelines.

VanHall noted, as well as others, that residents need a partner in this, someone who will explain things to them and even help them through the process.

Some of the benefits of having a preservation commission, according to its members, are tax credits that are available and grants that are often utilized to develop in historic districts.

Some examples of this are grant dollars acquired to restore Owego’s Parkview Hotel and the new construction of the development on Front Street at the Gateway location.

Regarding tax credits, Phoebe Morris, who lives in a historic home in the village, stated that she painted her house and didn’t go through OHPC. She stated, “If I had used them I could have gotten a 20 percent tax credit.”

Karen Holmes, a Front Street resident, stated that in Cape Cod they told her how many bushes she was allowed to have. She stated, during the public hearing, that when she purchased her property in Owego she received support from OHPC.

“Nobody told me what to do,” said Holmes, “they talked to me about grant money.”

Cathy Waterman, who resides on 391 Front St. in Owego, stated that she loves her home and her village, but that enforcement and rules should also be fair.

“We should be allowed to maintain our homes,” said Waterman.

Andrew and Wendy Robertson, who live at 313 Front St., moved in one month before the flood. Historians by trade, they noted that they had an issue with OHPC over the columns on their home, but after constructive criticism they were persuaded to conform.

Teresa Gosart, an Owego resident, spoke early on at the hearing, stating, “Some people are unhappy with the demeanor of OHPC. It’s the board’s job to oversee this.”

So with a mix of emotions, it was a process for residents, as well as the board to come up with a solution. A change to the local law would allow the village board to dissolve the commission, and replace it with a committee. Earl Harman, trustee, currently serves as the commissioner of OHPC in the village.

Hartman stated that the OHPC serves a good purpose, but there are things that need to be changed.

“The commission needs to be fair with everyone,” said Hartman. 

Mark Trabucco, the commission’s chair, addressed guests as well and talked about a recent situation where a resident wanted to replace their windows. He noted that the residents in the district take care of their homes all the time.

“One paints a house and another mows their lawn,” said Trabucco, adding, “It’s a real hero who keeps a well kept house in a poor neighborhood,” as an analogy of pride in homeownership.

Mayor Steve May also commented on the issues surrounding OHPC, but held up a photo of 81 North Ave. while doing so. 

This historic building, located next to the fire department, sits vacant since Tony Montana, the previous homeowner, was charged, found guilty, and then sentenced for violating the dictates of OHPC. Montana left town and the building remains empty.

According to archived reports, Montana was charged after he replaced architecturally significant second-floor windows with vinyl windows at his 81 North Ave. building on Nov. 17, 2006. The village claimed in village court he breached an agreement with the Owego Historic Preservation Commission. Justice Lynn M. Craig, at that time, ruled in favor of the commission.

Records also show that Montana and his wife, Kerri O’Connor, wanted to change the windows primarily because their son Jonah tested positive with a high blood-lead level. The couple believed the source was the lead-based paint on the windows.

Kim Trahan, commission member and chair at the time of this particular incident, spoke at the hearing last Monday about the commission’s decision in this case.

“He was told he could replace the windows in the alley,” stated Trahan, “but that he needed to leave the Queen Ann window in. In the middle of the night, he replaced the windows anyhow.”

And by the end of the public comment session, and following words by Hartman, board members voted to table any action regarding the OHPC until their next scheduled board meeting on Nov. 6, at 56 Main St. in Owego versus the Elm Street location.