This year instead of having the new commissioners sworn in at the end of the November town board meeting, there will be a reception for them at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, and the organizational meeting will take place at 7 p.m.
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Commissioner Anne Reeve, who won a third term on Nov. 3, was busy the day after and sent in her post-election comments late. She wrote, “Thank you to everyone who voted for me. Also, thanks for voting at all – it is amazing that so few decided to vote.
“I’m looking forward to continuing working with Greg Harrington, and to have the opportunity to work with Brian Pate. Also, I appreciate Chad Casale and Brian Clemson joining the race and for the new ideas they brought to the table.
Wake Forest is moving in a positive direction. We are closing the gap between residential and commercial. We are pro-active with economic development. Our Parks, Rec and Cultural Arts programs continue to provide excellent opportunities for our citizens. Downtown is growing and provides great shopping and events. Because of these things and more, I am very happy to be able to continue to be a part of seeing Wake Forest continue to be the best place to live, work and plan. We are the: past, present and the future.
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There will be a public hearing at the Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. to consider a certificate of appropriateness for Walter and Beverly Tuttle to demolish their house and garage at 400 Pearce Avenue.
Why a COA for that house when a house of similar age in the same block (diagonally opposite) at 435 Wait Avenue was purchased by Grosvenor Investments and then razed? It slipped through the cracks, Senior Planner Michelle Michael, the staff liaison for the HPC, said. She found out that a demolition permit had been issued and went to the address to find it already gone.
Both houses are listed in the Wake County Revenue and Tax Office as built in in 1901 and the Tuttle house, which is distinguished by the shake siding, was part of the Brookview subdivision.
But why are these older houses, which are not in any historic district or listed on any local, state or federal register, under the purview of the HPC? Because, Michael said, they were listed in the 2008 survey of older buildings. Everyone now knows to send a message to her when an owner wants to level an older house or building, and we will wait to see what is built on those two lots.
At the meeting next Wednesday, the HPC members will also hear an update about the rehabilitation of the Ailey Young House, a grant project and the new state Historic Tax Credits. Members will also recommend new members for appointment in December.
