Historic House in Jeopardy
This is a bit beyond Gossips' usual beat, but concern for historic buildings knows no boundaries. Gossips has learned that there is a proposal before the Catskill Village Planning Board to demolish a historic house north of Beattie-Powers Place--a house that was once part of the estate--and build a new house in its place.
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| Beattie-Powers Place |
The house to be razed was once the quarters for James Powers staff, and it may have been home to the family of Aaron Burr. The house was expanded in the 1920s, but it is believed that the core of the house dates from around 1790. The house is located within the East Side Historic District in Catskill, and village preservation laws prohibit the demolition of historic structures and the construction of new structures that are incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood. The proposed new house is of modern design, described by an opponent of the project as "a suburban ranch house with a slight Swiss chalet motif."
The concern is not only for the preservation of a historic house and the architectural integrity of the immediate neighborhood but also for the viewshed. The proposed new house is expected to be much more conspicuous in the view from the river and from the bridge, in direct opposition to the goals of the Skywalk Project now underway, a walkway between the Thomas Cole House and Olana with three observation decks on the bridge for viewing the landscape.
The Catskill Planning Board is holding a public hearing on the project tonight, Monday, October 16, at 7:15 p.m., at the Senior Center, 15 Academy Street, in Catskill. Residents of Catskill and others concerned with preserving and protecting historic architecture and scenic views are encouraged to be present.
COPYRIGHT 2017 CAROLE OSTERINK
When you get a moment, Carole, could you clarify what being in a historic district means and how it impacts a) demolition, b) viewshed, and c) rebuilding? Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteWhen Catskill acquired the house, I took part in a massive volunteer clean-up with the understanding that the property would become a municipally-owned architectural treasure.
ReplyDeleteI see now that we were just doing the village's work for free.
Ah, I see. The clean-up effort was for the house in the photo.
DeleteJust to be clear. It is not Beattie-Power Place that is in jeopardy. It is a house north of it, which was apparently was once part of the estate. The house has a private owner. It is not owned by the Village of Catskill. My apologies for misleading people by using a picture of Beattie-Powers Place to accompany the post. I didn't have a picture of the house in question.
ReplyDeleteBy all means, let's allow ourselves to be held hostage to the "viewshed" and the goals of Skywalk. That the owner of the property wishes to remove an unsightly building from his property and build a new - and to his eye - attractive home, should be completely disregarded. And let's completely ignore the ranch houses, mid-century bungalows, and pseudo-colonials that populate this "historic district" of Catskill. The opponent to the project quoted in your article, is little more than a disgruntled bully with deep pockets;a not-friendly neighbor who desperately wants to create her version of a closed community.
ReplyDeleteBy all means, let's allow ourselves to be held hostage to the "viewshed" and the goals of Skywalk. That the owner of the property wishes to remove an unsightly building from his property and build a new - and to his eye - attractive home, should be completely disregarded. And let's completely ignore the ranch houses, mid-century bungalows, and pseudo-colonials that populate this "historic district" of Catskill. The opponent to the project quoted in your article, is little more than a disgruntled bully with deep pockets;a not-friendly neighbor who desperately wants to create her version of a closed community.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't have a pic of the house in question, then don't try to use Ms. Fox's antics and rebel rouse.
ReplyDeleteAgree completely with Nimue. My family's been in Catskill since 1802 -- the newcomer needs to get a grip who is rebel rousing everyone at Catskill town meeting. This house sat here for decades under ownership of one family. It has no architectural integrity as a historic house. Tear the thing down and let this couple enjoy their new home. Stop being an elitist snob!
ReplyDelete