Friends of Historic Glasgow (Delaware)

LaGrange Press Release: Developer wants more time (5/8/05)

Developer Asks for Additional Time After Plans Are Presented

Glasgow, DE, May 8, 2005-- Friends of Historic Glasgow has learned that developer Steven Nichols failed to make the full $225,000 payment due to the Barczewski family on May 4th. Instead, he offered only $125,000 and requested a 45-day extension to his due diligence period before making any further deposit.

Nichols' preliminary development plans for the La Grange farm property were revealed in an appearance before the New Castle County Historic Review Board (HRB), on April 13th. This appearance was not on the scheduled agenda.

Attorney Pamela Scott, who is the wife of County Council President Paul Clark, led the presentation on behalf of Nichols.

The plans showed every field full of housing, some commercial development along Route 40, and a new elementary school west of the La Grange manor house. The manor house was left with a 500 ft. buffer surrounding it, which is the minimum requirement under existing County codes.

Otherwise, only the Latrobe feeder canal and some wetland areas were separately identified.

"In fact, both the historical aspects and the wetlands areas of the farm were downplayed by the presenters," related FOHG member Earnie Davis, who was in the audience. "One attorney [on the development team] characterized the Revolutionary War trenches as insignificant."

Wetlands were identified on the plans in the narrowest possible way, with almost no buffer zones shown around the actual bodies of water. Newly placed pink surveyor's tape can be seen from Route 40 at the very edges of one stream, with almost none of the surrounding bottom lands marked off.

The northeast corner of the farm was slated to become a new parking lot for the adjacent Friendship Baptist Church, in Glasgow.

According to Davis, HRB member Wade Catts expressed reservations about Scott representing Nichols before the HRB, given her relationship to the current County Council President. Her response was that, since Nichols was not requesting any zoning changes, her husband would not have to recuse himself from any Council decisions concerning Mr. Nichols' proposals.

"However, FOHG believes the commercial development and school construction would need some zoning changes. And that could mean a drawn out process for Mr. Nichols." Davis added.

"There is a potential conflict of interest here," explained Nancy Willing, who has been leading the FOHG effort to save La Grange. "In fact, at the March 15th 'Listening Session' at Glasgow High School, Mr. Clark publicly stated that because his wife was representing the developer, he would no longer involve himself in the matter. The question is, will he recuse himself, or will he support zoning changes that will benefit his wife?"

Shortly after Nichols' appearance before the HRB, New Castle County Office of Code Enforcement sent a code violation "Letter of Awareness" to the four Barczewski family owners of the historic La Grange property.

The letter referred to cracking and peeling paint on the exterior of the historic 19th century manor house. The code violation was identified during a County inspection in late March, in response to a citizen complaint about deterioration of the roof.

Although the inspection took place on a rainy day and there was some evidence of old water damage on the interior walls, the roof was not found to be actively leaking.

The letter gave the owners 20 days to initiate appropriate remediation, and avoid a formal citation.

"We hope that this action by New Castle County indicates that the Coons administration has not given up on preserving the historic farm," said John Medkeff, a resident of Glasgow and FoHG supporter. "From a preservation standpoint, it is very important that our county officials enforce all existing codes and regulations, no matter who owns the farm. Given the historic overlay placed on the farm at Anne Barczewski's request, neither inappropriate zoning changes nor demolition by neglect should be tolerated."

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

If you would like to help protect this property from development and permanently preserve its historic, cultural, and natural resources for future generations, please contact:

The Friends of Historic Glasgow
ATTN: Nancy V. Willing
5 Francis Circle
Newark, DE 19711

Telephone: (302) 366-1855
E-mail: historicglasgow@earthlink.net
E-mail: NancyVWilling@yahoo.com
Web site: www.neighborhoodlink.com/org/historicglasgow