Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Designation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Historic Preservation Board recommends rescission of landmark designation for Robinson Cobb House
Summary
Board found the original 2002 designation lacked sufficient evidence and voted unanimously to recommend rescission of the landmark designation at 1109 Northeast 16th Place to the City Commission.
The Historic Preservation Board voted unanimously to recommend that the City Commission rescind the historic landmark designation for the property at 1109 Northeast 16th Place, commonly called the Robinson Cobb House (case UDPHPD25001).
City staff summarized its review of the 2002 designation and concluded the original record did not provide substantial evidence tying the property to the criteria used for designation. The staff report said the designation relied on “vague and broadly used terminology, with weak and unsubstantiated references” and noted that some criteria invoked in 2002 are normally applied to neighborhoods rather than single properties.
Owner Ben Robinson addressed the board. He said he and his partner had sought designation years earlier but, after his partner’s recent death, he attempted to sell the property and found buyers were deterred by the historic status. “No 1 will touch it. People will not buy a historical property,” Robinson said, and added that insurance costs made the house expensive to hold.
Board members and staff described the rescission request as uncommon but, after reviewing the historical record and the original submittal, agreed the property did not meet criteria c, f, g and h as set out in the ULDR. The board voted to recommend rescission and will forward its recommendation to the City Commission; staff advised the owners that placement on a commission agenda typically takes about 60 days.
