I am tired of hearing people tell half-truths and lies about the Historic District and the Design Review Process. Now there are threats being made to abolish the Design Review District and the Board of Architectural Review (BAR). This action would only serve to destabilize a neighborhood, which has been brought back to life under these very guidelines. These threats are being made to the detriment of my home and my neighbors’ homes. When people who do not live in the Historic District attempt to come in and change a process, which has helped to improve the housing conditions, my neighbors and I will not sit idly by and remain quiet.

Allow me to pose a question, “What right would I have to go into a neighborhood in which I do not live, perhaps yours, and decide I am going to do away with the covenant and restrictions protecting that neighborhood?” None whatsoever! So I say, “If you don’t live in the Historic District, please don’t try to change a process and district, which was legally established by Seneca City Council and included numerous public hearings.” Residents of the Historic District bought in this neighborhood and made a stand on improving it. It is our neighborhood. Our homes are there. We have made an investment there. We love our neighborhood. It is no longer drug-infested (unlike what Mr Wilson and others who anonymously call Willie might say). Eighty percent of the homes are not dilapidated, as Mr. Wilson would have you believe. Come ride through the District with me, and I can show you the houses that have been renovated since the BAR has been in existence. I can show you the houses that have greatly appreciated in value. I can show you young couples walking in the neighborhood while their children ride their bikes back to their historic homes of which they are very proud. This is Seneca’s Historic District. The large majority of the houses are greater than 50 years old. Probably more than half are greater than 70 years old. To abolish this process would not be progressive; it would serve to only digress.

Consider the following:

1. The District and the BAR were legally established in 2002 after numerous public hearings. The city invested greater than $40,000 to establish the guidelines and the review process. The architectural review is a quasi-judicial process. Stated simply: These guidelines are the law. Mr. Wilson chose to not follow the guidelines. He continues to try to “hijack” the process by petitioning to abolish the guidelines and the Board.

2. Dozens of families have willingly followed the BAR process. Many people buy in the Historic District knowing that the guidelines provide them a level of protection for their property value.

3. In the case of Mr. Wilson, he has bought at least four pieces of property in the Historic District. Mr. Wilson is a businessman looking to make a profit, and that is acceptable in our capitalistic society. But let’s be clear; he is not doing this out of the “kindness of his heart.” Do you think for a minute that he would invest in a “drug-infested” (Mr. Wilson’s words) neighborhood with the majority of the homes dilapidated (Mr. Wilson’s words) and run the chance of not making money?

4. Small towns all over the state have established historic districts in an effort to retain their past. Why should Seneca not do the same? Surely we can see the value of maintaining our history as much as others in South Carolina.

5. The BAR is reviewing the guidelines. When originally drafted the guidelines were stricter (black and white). There were those who wanted to give the BAR more discretion so some of the guideline were made less stringent. Then, when the BAR used their discretion to oppose a request these same people now want to make it stricter again. Building Codes are more readily followed and enforced when the guidance is black and white. After the review, the BAR will recommend revisions. Citizens of the Historic District need to be involved in this process.

In closing, when you read that vinyl windows and siding are to be “discouraged” in the Historic District, please do not take this as an insult on your vinyl home or other houses in your neighborhood. Many of the houses in the Historic District have exterior details, which will “disappear” if vinyl or aluminum wrap is installed. This is the function of the review process, to maintain historical accuracy and maintain, as much as possible, a consistent look. Consider this analogy, if you live in a neighborhood with a majority of ranch-style homes, a newly constructed log cabin or Victorian home, although pretty, would really look out of place.

Many people have told me that they are glad that my neighbors and I are restoring the beauty of the old part of town. That’s all we want to do is maintain a part of our history and be proud of our neighborhood.

Note: This commentary was edited for length.