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Who owns that old house?
On Tuesday, the City Council took up discussion of the home at 23 Greenfield Avenue, which saw some work to remove windows and some roofs last week.
Mayor Scott Johnson mentioned that work done back in early May was conducted without prior knowledge of the city, and the city had issued a stop-work order as a result. He said that his office had received calls about the home, but he did not know who the owner was.
Commissioner of Public Safety Ron Kim explained that the city does not have a mechanism in its code to bar a homeowner from demolishing a historic home.
The largest problem in this instance really does seem to be that no one knows who the owner is. As Kim pointed out, this matter, even though the city has been on the property and boarded up windows on the ground floor, has not been adjudicated, and that the property owner does have rights.
Kim has proposed a resolution to put stricter controls on demolitions, and the city council will hold a public hearing on the matter prior to their next meeting, at 6:40 p.m. This type of measure was requested by Samantha Boshart, executive director of the Saratoga Preservation Foundation, on the foundation's behalf.
Amejo Amyott, who is a neighbor to the building, had a more creative approach, suggesting that the city fine the property owner $5 million, and use the money to build a public safety building.
The home at 23 Greenfield Avenue has no protection, as it is not within a historic district, although it is considered a contributing structure, because it is adjacent to a historic district.
Mayor Scott Johnson mentioned that work done back in early May was conducted without prior knowledge of the city, and the city had issued a stop-work order as a result. He said that his office had received calls about the home, but he did not know who the owner was.
Commissioner of Public Safety Ron Kim explained that the city does not have a mechanism in its code to bar a homeowner from demolishing a historic home.
The largest problem in this instance really does seem to be that no one knows who the owner is. As Kim pointed out, this matter, even though the city has been on the property and boarded up windows on the ground floor, has not been adjudicated, and that the property owner does have rights.
Kim has proposed a resolution to put stricter controls on demolitions, and the city council will hold a public hearing on the matter prior to their next meeting, at 6:40 p.m. This type of measure was requested by Samantha Boshart, executive director of the Saratoga Preservation Foundation, on the foundation's behalf.
Amejo Amyott, who is a neighbor to the building, had a more creative approach, suggesting that the city fine the property owner $5 million, and use the money to build a public safety building.
The home at 23 Greenfield Avenue has no protection, as it is not within a historic district, although it is considered a contributing structure, because it is adjacent to a historic district.
posted by The Saratogian City Desk at
10:11 PM
9 Comments:
I can not believe that no one knows who owns the house. The contractors who were doing the work surely didn't do it without compensation. There has to be a money trail.
I felt bad when I saw so many windows missing during the rains we had.
Maybe Brown University will buy it--the Waylands (who owned the house in the past) had a local relative who became the President of Brown.
As of 3 p.m. today (5/20) no deed had been filed at Saratoga County.
Why aren't the second story windows covered ?
anon 9:09:
The Department of Public Safety boarded up the windows on the bottom floor to keep trespassers out.
Since they were working on private property without permission of the unknown property owner, they did only the work deemed necessary to protect the public's safety (ie, keeping the public out). The feeling is that no one is likely to enter the building through the second story.
Dear Mr. Bernstein:
At the City Council meeting the mayor said the owners boarded up the building, not the city. Comm. Kim explained that his office reached out to some people and their attorneys, who he thought might be involved in this process, to say the city would be boarding it up. And quickly after that call, the asbestos contractor returned to board up the windows. This probably explains why the covering does not serve to protect the building from further damage.
My question is: Why is the new owner making such an effort to remain anonymous?
anon 9:46:
Thanks for the clarification, I stand corrected.
As for your question, I completely agree. I think that will be the first question I ask when the owner's identity comes to light.
Say hello to a new pond...
Any follow up on this ??
NOTICE OF ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION OF 23 GREENFIELD
NOTICE OF ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION OF 23 GREENFIELD AVENUE, LLC 1. The name of the limited liability company is 23 Greenfield Avenue, LLC (the 'LLC'). 2. The Articles of Organization for the LLC were filed with the Secretary of State's Office on April 28, 2009. 3. The office of the LLC is to be located in the County of Saratoga, State of New York. 4. The Secretary of State is designated as anagent of the LLC upon whom process against it may ber served. The post office address in the State of new York to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC is 491 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York, 12866. 5.The character and purpose of the business of the LLC shall be to undertake any other lawful act or activity whether or not related thereto in which a limited liabiltiy company may engage under the laws of the State of New York; all subject to and in accordance with applicable federal, state and local lows and regulations. 5/7,14,21,28,6/4,11 6x/861332
Appeared in: Saratogian, The on 05/07/2009, 05/14/2009 and 05/21/2009
I heard the building is being converted into a very expensive dog house for 24 little yappy dogs.
and the winner is..... the riggi's, and they said they didn't know, those kidders.
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