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Commission discusses preservation of North Rangeline properties and Blue School relocation
Summary
Commissioners reviewed threats and options for several North Rangeline properties, including a potential demolition at 31 South Rangeline and the owner of 520 North Rangeline, who plans a new adjacent building and will market the historic house through June 2027. The parks department has budgeted $125,000 to move the Blue School building to a park site.
Commissioners discussed several preservation challenges along the North Rangeline corridor, including an impending demolition possibility for a Dutch colonial at 31 South Rangeline Road, the status of 520 North Rangeline, and proposals to relocate the Blue School building to a parks site.
Staff reported that a property owner at 31 South Rangeline Road has plans that could prompt a demolition request, which would trigger the commission’s demolition-delay review; staff said the commission needs to finalize and adopt its 2020 survey and a sample resolution has been sent to the city attorney to expedite protections. “Could we please get this drafted up, with approvals for the 2020 portion of the survey?” staff asked the commission during the meeting.
On 520 North Rangeline, staff said owner Tim Johnston bought the property and the adjacent vacant lot and plans to build a new office on the vacant lot while marketing the historic house for sale for up to a year (through June 2027). Commissioners discussed how adoption of a Rangeline preservation plan and related ordinance could require any demolition or significant exterior alteration to come before the commission — potentially protecting the house if the ordinance is adopted before an owner files for demolition.
Separately, commissioners were told the parks department has budgeted $125,000 to relocate the Blue School building to a parks-owned property on Ingleville, and that the church which owns the parcel with the school appears willing to transfer the building. Staff described the school as moveable and in sound enough condition to be relocated this year if the parks department proceeds.
Commissioners asked staff to prioritize survey adoption and to continue outreach with owners and the parks department to explore preservation or relocation options. The discussion underscored the limitations of the commission’s purview (exterior features and demolition-delay authority) and the need to coordinate ordinance timing and city approvals to have meaningful leverage over demolition filings.
