Historic District - Savior or Burden

[GottfriedK]

Besides just wanting to post on North Ward site rather than the general site, as well as wanting to break 400 posts, I wanted to know what the NewarkSpeaks clan think of the restrictive zoning laws of Forest Hill. While they are laxly enforced, I think that they help maintain the pride and character of the neighborhood.

Many of my neighbors disagree. They either feel that the laws don't apply to them, because there house is either not big or "historic" or that they should be allowed to do to their property what they want and nobody should butt in, if it isn't a safety issue. The third group are ignorant, either willful or otherwise, and do as they please.

Some say it is unfair to put this burden on them for economic reasons. To that I say too bad. These are people who moved in after the district was declared. They say it is too expensive to comply when they want to fix their roof, change windows, add a driveway, or other "improvement." Well than you should not have bought the house, if you can't afford the upkeep. If you didn't know about the zoning restrictions, I think the term is, "Let the buyer beware."

The neighborhood is nicer than most of Newark because of its status and making exceptions continues to erode the neighborhood and the pride people have in it.

[zengeist]

Honestly for a city old as Newark is, very little preserved in the way of anything. The codes should be more strictly enforced. It's time to start preserving things in Newark and at the same time continue moving forward.