[July 15, 2011] Commission delays Elm Heights demolition decision, extends time period for research Tweet Jul 15, 2011 (Herald-Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- A Bloomington commission Thursday delayed a pair of decisions that could prevent the demolition of two houses in Elm Heights that would clear the way for the construction of a roughly 14,000-square-foot home. The Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission, under the city's demolition delay ordinance, is reviewing the proposed demolition of two homes in the Elm Heights neighborhood near the Indiana University campus -- 505 S. Ballantine Road and 1201 E. Second St. Commission members extended the demolition delay period from 90 to 120 days in order for city staff to do more research about the potential historic nature of the houses. The extra time also gives commission members more time to study whether the homes should be demolished. If the commission deems one or both of the houses to be historic, they can give it a local historic designation and prevent any demolition. David Jacobs, whose parents gave more than $40 million to IU's music school that now bears the family name, is seeking city approval to demolish the two houses so he can build a house on the northeast corner of Second Street and Ballantine Road just blocks from campus. In order to construct the seven-bedroom home, which is to include a music room, garden room and library, the house at 505 S. Ballantine Road would be moved from its original site -- considered demolition under zoning code -- to nearby Mitchell Street, according to city documents. Also, all walls of the house at 1201 E. Second St., except for a portion of a front wall facing Second Street, would be demolished, according to city documents. More than 40 people attended Thursday night's meeting in City Hall. Many spoke out about the project. Bob Wintsch, who lives near the proposed new house, said he enjoys the neighborhood and the house at 505 S. Ballantine Road is part of its character. "I would be very sorry to see it go now that I've learned more about it," Wintsch said. "Moving it to Mitchell would totally change the context of this house." Amy Applegate, who lives in the area, said the new house would be an added benefit to the neighborhood and residents should be careful about trying to place restrictions on what people can do with property they own. "I don't think it's going to hurt our property values," Applegate said. "I don't think it's a bad thing. I would just be concerned that we not impose on property owners obligations that don't exist under law." Charles Webb, a longtime family friend who spoke on behalf of Jacobs at the meeting, answered many questions from the neighbors and commission members about the plans. He said he would relay the comments made at the meeting to Jacobs as well as try to get some answers to questions asked at the meeting. Lisa Abbott, director of the city's housing and neighborhood development department, said her department and the city planning department will host a neighborhood meeting to inform the public about the project and to answer questions. The details surrounding that meeting have yet to be determined. To see more of the Herald-Times or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, Herald-Times, Bloomington, Ind. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]