I realize many may think none on council heard what Dr. Willis had
to say, but that was not the case. What I think was missed by many
in the audience was the fact that the owner of this property was not
the applicant of this request, but was adamantly opposed to it. Not
only did they have an offer on the table to sell, but it was pending
the outcome of the vote regarding historic designation. To take away
the rights of a property owner at the request of another is a very
tricky thing. Whose rights come first? This was a tough decision in
and unto itself. To suggest that only the monetary value of the
property for taxation purposes drove the decision demonstrates a
lack of true understanding of the all the pertinent facts of this
case.
I realize many may think none on council heard what Dr. Willis had to say, but that was not the case. What I think was missed by many in the audience was the fact that the owner of this property was not the applicant of this request, but was adamantly opposed to it. Not only did they have an offer on the table to sell, but it was pending the outcome of the vote regarding historic designation. To take away the rights of a property owner at the request of another is a very tricky thing. Whose rights come first? This was a tough decision in and unto itself. To suggest that only the monetary value of the property for taxation purposes drove the decision demonstrates a lack of true understanding of the all the pertinent facts of this case.
I think
the applicant’s frat alumnus attorney speaking for 15 minutes against probably tipped off most people about that first point. -jsq