Here we are again...talking about 254 Righters Mill Road.

From our friends in Gladwyne yesterday, we had an update:

The proposed development of 254 Righters Mill Rd., Gladwyne will be heard by the HARB on FEB 6 at 8 AM.

The developer has submitted a Historic Resources Impact Study to HARB, dated January 2007, that was prepared by Mr. George E. Thomas Ph.D.

In part the report refers to the applicant's need for the income that would be generated by the construction of the three new rear houses to restore the front house. Is this what they call a self-inflicted economic hardship?

The HARB will have to sift through the report to determine the impact of any alteration of this Class 1 property on the Gladwyne Historic District.

Are we surprised in the least by the tone of the report of the compensated expert? No not really. After all, a hired gun is a hired gun.

Are we surprised that a man as renown as Dr. Thomas would do this? (and we assume this is the same gent) Depends.

Dr. Thomas has had an amazing career (what, you think we wouldn't check him out????), which you can read about HERE. He ususally deals with loftier designs, having written books on some famous folks like Frank Furness and William Price.

So that is the compensated expert. And 254 Righters Mill Road isn't some Furness piece of fabulousness or an Arts and Crafts gem designed by William Price, nor is the house a Victorian like you find in Cape May New Jersey (he wrote about Cape May in 1976).

But 254 Righters Mill Road has a place in our local history. And 254 Righters Mill Road should be preserved. And it is that simple.

There is plenty of precedent that should make denying this proposed development an open and shut case, as in denying it...from HARB through to the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners.

And that is what should be done.

There is no need to build this project, and the property owner is a retail magnate (right?), not a residential developer by trade, so why the interest? Would he build this project next to his personal residence in Gladwyne? Doubtful, and if he tried his neighbors would have a fit.

The Merion Square Historic District and the Village of Gladwyne must be respected. If it isn't respected, it might be considered that this will be a fight not seen since we defeated eminent domain for private gain, or when Robeson House came tumbling down....

The owner of this property could certainly restore the house to original single family glory if he wanted to and sell it for a profit, if he can afford to develop it and fight the neighbors and hire pricey experts, couldn't he?

We are going to continue to watch this story.

Of course it would help if local government said no to developers, changed all the zoning codes, had an updated comprehensive plan, lobbied to amend the Municipal Planning Code of Pennsylvania, had more stringent historic preservation, and many other things. But this is the Main Line where money doesn't know who owns it, and conspicuous consumption is always in style. And the Main Line is the area of who's your buddy, who's your pal, who do ya know....

Folks, open your mouths. For every Ardmore there is a Bryn Mawr, there is a Gladwyne, and a Haverford. The stories are all the same, only the players chage and the names of the streets and neighbors involved.

Support the neighbors of 254 Righters Mill Road, and you will help yourselves. Our communities deserve better than we are getting, and what we are getting is a whole lot of ugly.

Other coverage of 254?
here
here
here
here
here
here
here
here
here

(and some other posts as well, we don't have time to reference them all)

Bottom Line? Moratorium on Development Needed. Start with 254 Righters Mill Road in Gladwyne.