Mary's Place

There has been a lot going on in South Orange, so it has been a while since I updated this blog. However, one of the biggest issues currently looming is the threatened demolition of the Graves mansion owned by Marylawn of the Oranges on Scotland Rd. In addition to the demolition of a significant historic building, a potential development of a residential apartment building on the site is also rumored, despite the violation of the present zoning that would require.

I have heard from many residents who are upset about this situation and many of them came out to Monday's Board of Trustees meeting to express their opposition for this demolition/development and to express their support for the creation of a Historic Preservation Commission.

The idea of a Historic Preservation Commission has been considered by the Village for MANY years and some background can be found on the Village website at http://www.southorange.org/historicpreservation.  Ultimately, having such a commission in place would be a good thing for the Village to help preserve our architectural history, and on May 14, the BOT unanimously passed  the ordinance on First Reading which creates a Historic Preservation Commission.  The Ordinance must now be reviewed by the Planning Board and be brought back to the Board of Trustees for a public hearing and Second Reading, which is currently scheduled for June 11.

I completely sympathize with the residents who are concerned about a development that threatens their neighborhood, having gone through the same experience when 198 apartments were proposed to be built in the quarry, in MY neighborhood over 10 years ago.  At the time, we were told by the Village that "This fight has been fought...this property will be developed".  It was incredibly frustrating to be told there was nothing we could do, but in the days before Facebook & Twitter, we banded together, created a website, raised money, hired an attorney and fought the proposal for 5 years, until a compromise for 62 million-dollar townhouses was eventually approved.

I would like to urge Marylawn to work with their neighbors and with the Village to identify a better solution than the wholesale destruction of a significant building that could never be replaced. (and to not pursue a development project that is not supported by the current zoning)

People move to our community for many reasons including our proximity to NYC, our vibrant and diverse population and - yes - our unique and charming architecture and history. As a community, we strongly value our past and take great pride in it. In fact, the Board of Trustees recently approved the renovation of our own historic Village Hall, which will come at considerable expense. Yet, we felt that preserving our heritage was a key value in the community and something that was worth doing.

I am well aware of the economic challenges that everyone is facing these days. However, there are always alternatives that can and should be explored, and with enough creativity, I am sure a viable solution to what is currently being proposed can be found.