43
Panel OKs demolition of historical Canfield house
CANFIELD
A controversial historical home will be demolished after Canfield city’s design review committee reversed a previous decision, allowing the demolition of the home of the grandson of Canfield’s namesake at 275 N. Broad St.
Councilman Joe LoCicero said the decision makes the most sense for the city.
“If you have a home that is considered nonlivable and you cannot upgrade it, then what do you do?” LoCicero said.
The property, which now belongs to the Kosling family, who are Canfield family ancestors, once belonged to Judson Canfield, the grandson of Canfield’s namesake – also named Judson Canfield.
Sam Pitzulo of Sam Pitzulo Homes & Remodeling, 427 S. Broad St., was denied in March by the design review committee for permission to demolish the home. His plan was to develop single-family homes on the weed-infested and possibly unsafe property.
Mike Cook, zoning inspector, said initially the committee was looking at “an architecturally relevant historical house over 170 years old” when it denied the demolition request.
“They felt it was the owner’s responsibility to relocate the house or make the needed repairs to make the house habitable,” he said.
Property owner Paul Kosling asked the committee to reconsider as he had “caused all means of relocating the house and has no funds to make the needed repairs,” Cook said.
“It’s kind of hard to force a person who owns private property not ... to make a decision about it,” LoCicero said.
Representatives from the Canfield Historical Society said they have chosen to not argue for the home’s preservation because it would be too costly for the state that it’s in.
The Planning and Zoning Commission Board of Appeals voted 4-0 to approve the demolition of the house.
“Some members felt the house was beyond repair and would deteriorate more without the needed repairs, and voted to demolish the house,” Cook said. “The condition of the house and the possibility of future development on the property was also a factor.”
City Manager Joe Warino said he would like to see the property developed and become an income generator for the city.
In addition, Cook said because the Kosling family asked for the demolition, the decision to demolish means the city would not have to pursue demolition.
There is no set date for the demolition.