AURORA - After moving to this village three years ago, Cynthia Koepp and John Place began looking for their ideal home to purchase. They believed they had found the perfect one in what is known as Lyon House, but when it became available, Wells College purchased the property.
Angela Kershner / The Citizen
Cynthia Koepp points out details on plans she and John Place hope to implement if the Aurora Planning Board and Community Preservation Panel approve their request to demolish Lake House and move Webb House onto the property as discussed during a public hearing on the topic at the Aurora Firehouse Wednesday.
Cynthia Koepp points out details on plans she and John Place hope to implement if the Aurora Planning Board and Community Preservation Panel approve their request to demolish Lake House and move Webb House onto the property as discussed during a public hearing on the topic at the Aurora Firehouse Wednesday.
Knowing that they wished to have a home close to the college, they were given first opportunity to purchase any college-owned property to go on the market.
Koepp has been teaching at the college for 16 years.
In February, the college decided to sell two properties, one of them Lyon House. Yet, after careful consideration, the couple decided against that particular property.
They then considered buying another property, known as Lake House, a four-unit dwelling that is currently vacant.
But they said they discovered that property has many problems, such as an unstable foundation, rotting wood, moisture, dry and wet rot, leaking windows and an infestation of bugs.
So they next turned their attention to Webb House that is destined to be demolished.
And that has brought them in the middle of a long-running village controversy.
The couple found the house to be everything they wanted in a home and now wish to relocate the structure to the Lake House property, which would mean the demolition of Lake House.
They met Wednesday with village officials who are considering their application, just two years after community benefactor Pleasant Rowland unsuccessfully tried to do the same thing.
“It actually felt morally wrong to invest so much time and money into a mediocre structure when a perfectly good and sound house with great historical integrity was right next door and about to be lost forever,” Koepp said.
Some community residents have opposed the demolition of Lake House, saying it has historical integrity. In addition, it has provided needed affordable housing over the years, they say.
On Wednesday, village officials made it clear they will not rush any decision.
Village attorney Andy Fusco said that proper measures have to be taken before a formal vote on the demolition proposal can be brought before the board.
“There has to be a declaration of a lead agency, as well as an environmental review,” he said. “There needs to be an environmental submittal and the planning board intends to do this at next week's meeting.”
Fusco assured residents that there would be sufficient time for public opinion on the proposal.
Wednesday's meeting came a week after the village did approve another controversial Rowland plan to demolish the existing post office building.
Koepp has been teaching at the college for 16 years.
In February, the college decided to sell two properties, one of them Lyon House. Yet, after careful consideration, the couple decided against that particular property.
They then considered buying another property, known as Lake House, a four-unit dwelling that is currently vacant.
But they said they discovered that property has many problems, such as an unstable foundation, rotting wood, moisture, dry and wet rot, leaking windows and an infestation of bugs.
So they next turned their attention to Webb House that is destined to be demolished.
And that has brought them in the middle of a long-running village controversy.
The couple found the house to be everything they wanted in a home and now wish to relocate the structure to the Lake House property, which would mean the demolition of Lake House.
They met Wednesday with village officials who are considering their application, just two years after community benefactor Pleasant Rowland unsuccessfully tried to do the same thing.
“It actually felt morally wrong to invest so much time and money into a mediocre structure when a perfectly good and sound house with great historical integrity was right next door and about to be lost forever,” Koepp said.
Some community residents have opposed the demolition of Lake House, saying it has historical integrity. In addition, it has provided needed affordable housing over the years, they say.
On Wednesday, village officials made it clear they will not rush any decision.
Village attorney Andy Fusco said that proper measures have to be taken before a formal vote on the demolition proposal can be brought before the board.
“There has to be a declaration of a lead agency, as well as an environmental review,” he said. “There needs to be an environmental submittal and the planning board intends to do this at next week's meeting.”
Fusco assured residents that there would be sufficient time for public opinion on the proposal.
Wednesday's meeting came a week after the village did approve another controversial Rowland plan to demolish the existing post office building.
