“I see nothing wrong with upgrading the house. He did a good job. But what we’re talking about here is changing the exterior of the house. It’s important to maintain the look and feel of the historic district.”
— George Rambo, president of the Seneca Historic Neighborhood Association
Click on photo to enlarge
George Rambo, president of the Seneca Historic Neighborhood Association, stands at his house in the historical district on Fairplay Street. Rambo said it is important that the historic district maintains its integrity by ensuring the houses retain their look and feel when undergoing improvements. Photo by Andrew Moore/Staff
SENECA — When local contractor Spencer Wilson undertook the project of renovating a worn and weathered house near Seneca’s historic district, he hardly could have fathomed that after month’s work and $130,000 of investment, he’d have a house he couldn’t sell and a court date to show for it.
That, however, is the reality of the growing controversy about the guidelines for historic home renovation as set by the Board of Architectural Review (BAR). When Wilson put vinyl siding on the house, which lies in a grey area within the BAR’s design review district and on the fringe of its historic district on 203 E.S. Second St., he deviated from the guidelines set by the city’s design review district ordinance and did so without completing an application for Certificate of Appropriateness.
A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is a document that must be obtained before any construction, alteration or demolition affecting the exterior of an historic district structure is performed. Certificate applications are obtained from city hall.
THE GREAT DEBATE
It bears mentioning, however, that the placement of the vinyl siding was not the only unapproved alteration to the exterior of the house. He also added a stone façade in the front of the house and extended the roofline without requesting permission from the review board. They are changes Wilson said should be embraced as positive rather than punished.
“If any citizens get in their cars and ride the historic district, they’ll see it’s 80 percent dilapidated houses in desperate need of repair,” Wilson said.
The city’s planning office issued a stop work order on the project when it was made aware of the alterations. When Wilson continued work on the house, he was issued a citation for violating the city’s order. He was later issued a second citation for violating the order in April, and the consequences for his actions could get expensive if he decides to continue to defy the city’s orders. Violating a work stop order can carry up to 30 days in jail or, more likely, up to a $500 fine per offense. Every individual instance Wilson works on the house, should he decide to do so, will be considered a separate offense and carry with it a separate potential fine. The severity of the fine is ultimately up to the judge at the conclusion of his trial on June 11.
George Rambo, president of the Seneca Historic Neighborhood Association, said that while Wilson’s project looks aesthetically pleasing, many of those complaining are missing the point.
“I see nothing wrong with upgrading the house,” Rambo said. “He did a good job. But what we’re talking about here is changing the exterior of the house. It’s important to maintain the look and feel of the historic district.”
City Planner Tammy Sanford went a step further, saying that Wilson should have consulted with the review board before he moved forward with the alterations, and there is no way to retroactively determine whether or not variances would be granted to Wilson had he asked for them.
“He’s not in court because of vinyl siding,” Sanford said. “He’s in court for violating a work stop order. I made Mr. Wilson aware of the guidelines he had to follow prior to the project.”
In fact, Sanford said Wilson was provided with a 127-page document detailing the protocol for construction and alterations to historic structures. Wilson said otherwise.
“I was not provided any guidelines,” Wilson said. “They have them for public record, but they were never given to me.”
Regardless of Wilson’s knowledge or lack thereof regarding the historic district’s design rules, he never went to the review board before the performing the disputed alterations to ask for relief from strict application of the guidelines.
AUTHORITY
The BAR is more than a collective of experts in their field who arbitrarily determine who can do what to whose property. In fact, they wield significant authority, as was vested in them by Seneca in 2002. The review board is a quasi-judicial group whose decisions are final at the city level. Someone having a grievance with a BAR decision must appeal the case in district court. The BAR is intended to provide oversight and design review in order to protect Seneca’s historic properties and stabilize and improve property values. Seneca's Design Review Ordinance allows the review board to designate properties in the city as local historic districts. This designation is based upon criteria outlined within the ordinance. These criteria allow the designation of properties, which have particular architectural or historic significance in the city's history. There exists one broad district under the review board’s authority, a design review district with less rigid guidelines of design, and within that, the historic district.
“BAR advises people as to how to build and change their house in the district and maintain its historic value,” Rambo said. “I can tell you, it can be frustrating having someone tell you what to do with your property, but I think the BAR always evaluates things fairly.”
LETTER OF THE LAW
Section 1207 of the city ordinance states a structure may be deemed historic if it has a significant interest or value in the development of the community, was the site of an historic event, is associated with an historic person, exemplifies cultural political, social, economic, ethnic or historical heritage or embodies distinguishing historical characteristics of a type, style or time period. The house Wilson altered fits the bill, Sanford said. Despite its dilapidated appearance, its age and location give it historical significance. Homes deemed to have historical value are generally 50 years or older, Sanford said.
“The home had the original bones of a historic building,” Sanford said. “What is most important is to maintain the integrity of the district.”
Wilson, on the other hand, rejects the notion Seneca has a historic district altogether.
“Most of the houses in that area have vinyl, brick or asbestos siding,” Wilson said. “If you ride through, you’d ask ‘what is historical about this, it’s nothing but a bunch of run down houses.’ There is no historic district in Seneca, South Carolina. There are just a few historic homes.”
Wilson believes the rigid application of design guidelines for the sake of perpetuating the myth of an historic district will hinder the development of an area that badly needs improvement.
“The city is going to die unless they let progress take over,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rambo said he didn’t subscribe to the notion that enforcing district code would in any way deter developers from wanting to build there.
“Builders work all the time in specific covenants with guidelines,” Rambo said. “They should be used to district guidelines.”
Wilson, who has worked in Seneca for nearly two decades, said he was very surprised when the city took the actions it did when he made the exterior alterations on the house.
WHO’S AFRAID OF THE BIG, BAD BAR?
Far from being ready to give up his fight, Wilson has taken it to a new level. He has drafted a petition to abolish the review board, saying he will have several names who are prominent in Seneca on the document.
While the petition circulates, his house will sit uncompleted and unable to be sold until the matter is resolved. Meanwhile, the controversy about the prioritization of historic district integrity and progress through development will continue to rage.
Despite those in the community like Rambo and Sanford, who believe the historical district to be beneficial to progress through increasing property value and promoting outside interest in Seneca, Wilson said the historic district does not exist, and its overseers should be stopped.
“The area will never grow, and new people will not come in unless they abolish the BAR,” Wilson said.
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Readers are solely responsible for the content of the comments they post here. Comments are subject to the site's terms and conditions of use and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or approval of Eagle Media. Readers whose comments violate the terms of use may have their comments removed or all of their content blocked from viewing by other users without notification.Well seems like the bullcrap is getting so deep you can not wade through it any more. I think Mr. Wilson should remove ever thing he has done to the house and just leave the eyesore for the so called Historic Ass. to enjoy the wonderful historic old bones of the run down shack he repaired. Or better yet abandon it but leave a light on for the crack users will have a nice place to do business!!
What a bunch of garbage. Wake up Seneca. Are we just plain stupid or did we get our little feeling hurt because Mr. Wilson is not paying the correct crooked politician
True, Mr. Wilson is in the business to realize a profit from his investments and he took on a job that apparently no one else was going to do and if he makes money in doing this ...so be it. He has accomplished a remarkable job in making the residential district look much better. This Historical Committee?????? has become ONE BIG JOKE and really made themselves look foolish along with putting some city leaders in the line up also. It's amazing how some individuals can't handle a little bit of authority and attempt to use it as a weapon. I think it's time that the residents of this district take a look at this committe and decide what is their real purpose and motive....and it very well could be self gradification instead of wanting to do what is best for the residents. AND I WOULD THINK IT'S POSSIBLE TO DO WITHOUT THEM ALL TOGETHER.
Oh, my goodness! All this time I thought Mr. Wilson had only committed the crime against society of adding vinyl siding to an old house without permission. Never did I dream that he had also (horrors) "extended the roofline without requesting permission". I also had no idea he had runied so many lives in Seneca by adding a stone facade!! Now that I know the whole picture, and now see how this man made life so unbearable for others in the neighborhood with that (gulp) roofline and stone facade, it's obvious that civilized life in and around Seneca just won't be worth living anymore. Okay, readers, it's either be sarcastic or scream! I wonder how many pitiful, pathetic souls lie awake at night worrying about siding, an extended roofline or a stone facade. The old saying, "Get a life" has never seemed more appropriate than now, in dealing with the Hysterical Society's obsession with Mr. Wilson's failure to obey before improving HIS property.
Was the "histerical" comission even around when Ram Cat Alley was done over? It couldn't have been, thats been a success.
I agree with everyone above, I live in the neigborhood in question and can not believe all the fuss being made. I really would like to sign this petition that was mentioned in the article. If anyone knows how please post and let me know. I saw the house before he began remodeling it and walked to it a few days ago, it is a great job so far. I would love to move to the house, I see now issue with what was done so far. These people raising such a fuss about this need to get a life and stop worrying about what everyone else is doing.!!!!
To those of you who keep mentioning "drug houses" as some type of reasoning for your "pro-Spencer" attitude, let me clarify that the BAR's purpose is not to handle Seneca's criminal activity, but to decide if any variance from the suggested guidelines is appropriate or not. So, if you have issues with drug activity, call the police. Slapping cheap vinyl siding on every house in Seneca isn't going to raise the value of the homes or the appeal of the neighborhood to interested buyers. Mr. Wilson's cry of financial hardship is a joke. Ask him how many properties he owns? I'm thinking 70 or so. If he really cared about this neighborhood, he wouldn't have a problem with following the rules. But all he cares about is his profit and how much cash he can make off each property. Meanwhile, homeowners here, who spend thousands of dollars and countless hours of sweat equity to improve their home and who truly love this community, aren't complaining about fixing up their homes and following the guidelines. Just poor Spencer Wilson, if he can even afford to eat this week... He can go put vinyl on every house he wants to outside this Historic District. The reason he's here is because there is money to be made and a desire to live in the downtown area. Not to mention, the extra expense he encounters to use hardiplank or wood, would surely be returned to him at closing, so what's the big deal? Look people, the next time your kid disobeys your rules and guidelines because they're only "suggested", maybe you'll get the point of this whole thing. His day in court will prove his arrogance didn't pay off this time. I'm pretty sure there are other investors who see the value in preserving this neighborhood, so he can take his vinyl somewhere else, like a mobile home park.
Beaux, you really don't get the issue do you. The drug houses are a problem that the police know about but if you live in the neighborhood and see what goes on like I do, you would understand that many houses are run down. Spencer Wilson is fixing these homes up and making the property value go up not down by using vinyl. Not all vinyl siding is cheap and the homes he has done so far look far better with vinyl then run down and caving in. The issue is not vinyl siding or not it is people trying to control what someone does with a property they own, and pay taxes on. Many homes in that area have vinyl, some old and some newer, why is their such a problem with him doing it when others in the neighborhood have. Just because a home is old does not make it historic. Some homes in the district are historic, but they are very few compared with the number that are just old. I thought if a home was historic it was on the registry, since the majority of the homes are not they are not historic just old and near some historic homes. To me vinyl siding is better than a rotting house anyday. The old, caving in houses that druggies use brings down property values, not fixed up homes with vinyl. Some people really need to drive through the neighborhood and they might see the real problems. Others are complaining about being told how they can improve their homes, it appears that everyone has just chosen to target Mr. Wilson. I am not saying that he did not violate a city stop work order, but their is more to all this then just that. As any business owner knows you work to make money and a profit, not for free. As far as the mobile home park comment some people need to stop looking down their noses at others and learn that everyone is equal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree 100% with BEAUX. We have lived in the neighborhood for over 2 years and have a lot of time, money and sweat invested in our home. This is supposed to be our retirement home. We sold our lake home to specifically live in the downtown (historic) neighborhood because we felt the city was going in the right direction in preserving the neighborhood. We have vinyl siding on our home and we HATE it. It has probably been on for about 10 - 15 years and in spots, as most vinyl, has cracks, separation gaps, discoloration....etc. Our home was built in 1913 and would look far better with its original wood siding. If we could afford it, we would bring it back to its original state. I know Mr. Wilson is trying to make a buck as we all are - but in life you MUST FOLLOW THE RULES. Thank goodness for the BAR!!!
Beaux,
My question for you is when you go to work do you tell them not to raise your pay or either not to worry about paying you for a days work? Better yet, do you go to work just because you care about the people that you work with? Reality check, Beaux, in today's world we all go to work for a profit and if for some reason you think that Mr. Wilson is an exception to this fact, then you live in Fantasy Land. In fantasy land who give a Sh@% about vinyl siding. Spencer, keep your chin up. Myself and MANY, MANY others say "THANK YOU" for having the "guts" to improve Seneca.
There are maybe 6-7 homes that actually meet the critera of "Historical District" and the chances are each committee member lives in one of these houses. Take these particular houses compared to the total number of houses in the district and the residents that are not actually in favor of theses restrictions and I think that puts the "Committee" in the minority. Also, beaux is awful quick on the trigger when he/she starts taking pot shots at people that live in mobile homes. Like JENNIFERWILKS stated, last time I recalled we're all created equal....with the exception of BEAUX naturally. Also spiderfarm made a good point....would be nice if Mr. Wilson could take away everything he has done to the house in question and give it back to the "Hysterical Society".
Just a thought.....would be nice if someone went door to door in the the district and poled the ALL the residents what their thoughts are on this committee and their "RULES".
OK, maybe I hurt some feelings with the mobile home comment...but since have I lived in one before, I am allowed to say that. As for living in the Historic District, I do. In fact, I have owned 3 homes in this wonderful neighborhood and have invested plenty of time and money myself over the years. So, I speak from experience, not ignorance. Forget your opinion or mine, the fact remains that when a rule or law or whatever is broken intentionally, that individual needs to be held accountable, regardless of who they are. I certainly hope that the BAR remains in place to protect all of our investments, as well as raising the standard for remodeling done here. And just for the record, Mr. Wilson's efforts are actually appreciated by most people, including myself. He still needs to follow the guidelines. So, I get the issue....and I have a copy of the guidelines. I'm not sure which "drug houses" you are talking about? But if you see that type of activity, report it to the police. 2 police officers live right on S. Townville Street. We all need to be proactive to help the neighborhood, but the issue IS VINYL SIDING!!! Slumlords are a whole different story!
If I lived in that area - I'd move to a new location. Leave the houses to fall in around their neighbor... look what is ahead for your children. They will be left with a house they can't improve, nor sale. Move out as quick as you can and leave it with the BAR. The neighborhood looks like a war zone ... walk down the street and take a look!!! The houses are abandoned and past repair. You may as well post signs that read, "welcome homeless."
You should come visit Grand Rapids, Michigan sometime. Thirty years ago many of the homes in the Heritage Hill historic district, the largest such district in the nation, were vacant and falling apart. The neighborhood was not safe. After being saved from demolition and urban renewal, which would have been an improvement by some standards, the vacant houses remained until one by one they were purchased and lovingly and painstakingly restored. Today the neighborhood is an awesome sight! The homes are priceless! Annual home tours bring revenue to the area! Removing the old houses 30 years ago in favor of urban renewal might have been a modest improvement for the short term, but look what a long-term vision and patience and investment hath wrought! The city is very proud of it, and your city can benefit from it, too! http://www.heritagehillweb.org/index.htm...
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