PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT Poland discusses the future of historic house
The home has been offered to the historical society.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- A village house that has stood for more than 1 1/2 centuries needs to be moved or be destroyed.
The Augdon House, as it is identified by a plaque next to its front door, has been a fixture of Main Street here since 1850. The two-story, now empty structure may be in need of a little TLC and has likely seen better days, but it still appears to be sturdy. An attached garage has been added to it.
The house sits at Main Street and Green Meadow Acres Place.
A developer has bought the property and says the house has to be moved or it will be torn down.
Making plans
John Scotford Sr., chairman of the McBarscot Co., addressed the village planning commission Wednesday evening in hopes of modifying the planned unit development (PUD) specifications for the Riverside Court condominium development. Scotford told the commission that he would like to remove the house to make way for several more condos in the development.
Several condominiums in the development have been built and are occupied.
Scotford said he does not necessarily want to demolish the house and offered the building free to the Poland Historical Society or anyone else willing to move it. He also offered $2,000 toward the moving cost.
Whoever takes the home would have to find somewhere to put it. Scotford offered a list of suggestions, but nothing has been cleared with the property owners of those locations.
One suggested location offered by Scotford is land owned by the village not far from the home. Village council would have to decide whether to accept the house.
Scotford said he and his family are supporters of preservation but said saving the house is in the hands of the historical society.
Popular opinions
The current condo owners and residents attending Wednesday's hearing said the condominiums would be an improvement over the house. Some said the condos offer an alternative to residents who do not want the expense of owning a historic home, and some said it is not Scotford's obligation to save the home.
Several members of the commission were not as eager about the development plans. Commission member Mike Thompson, who ultimately voted in favor of expanding the PUD, said losing the house would not be good.
"I think it would be a terrible shame and detrimental to something if, in the process of building million dollar condominiums, a pre-Civil War structure is lost," he said.
The PUD expansion request was granted by a vote of 3-2. The matter must go before village council. No date for that has been set.
jgoodwin@vindy.com