AURORA - Plans to move the Webb House, temporarily standing on steel beams and concrete on Main Street in Aurora, have the structure creeping closer to its proposed permanent location, now the site of Lake House at 327 Main St.
Lake House zoning issues ended Friday with the Village of Aurora Planning Board's 4-1 approval of demolition permit of Lake House contingent that the applicants, Cynthia Koepp and John Place, first purchase property from the Aurora Foundation and Wells College.
The proposed project has been under consideration for more than two years, with some community residents opposing it. Koepp and Place, however, only recently became involved when they struck a deal with Wells and the foundation.
One contract will be signed with the Aurora Foundation for Koepp and Place to purchase the Webb House and the second contract will be signed with Wells College to buy the land and Lake House.
Friday's approval does not include the relocation of the Webb House because the planning board must OK final site plans.
“Our moves are slow and incremental, both properties are personal to people,” Steve Taylor of the planning board said. “We don't want to move ahead with any uncertainty.”
Taylor said that the next step will be for the clients to come back with the purchase contracts and final site plans.
The purpose of the special meeting Friday evening was for the board to vote on demolition of the Lake House and re-siting of Webb House. With only preliminary site plans created by the clients' architect, Christine Place, the board was unable to approve the re-siting segment of the proposal.
“Because there are no final site plans that exist, the only topic for consideration tonight is the demolition,” Andrew Fusco, legal representative for the Planning Board said.
Place explained that some of the preliminary plans after the demolition of Lake House include creating a new foundation with a walkout basement and transforming a parking lot into landscaped lawn and gardens.
“We're very willing to adjust our preliminary plans with the zoning board's suggestions,” Cynthia Koepp said.
Planning Board Chairwoman Nancy Gil said that two variances were granted June 5 for the Webb House by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
One variance is for the lot not meeting the required 100-foot street frontage, Gil said. The second is a height variance because when the Webb House is set on its new foundation, it will be six to 12 inches higher than the allowed 35 feet.
Koepp and Place plan to submit purchase contracts to Wells College and the Aurora Foundation Monday.
“We're already working with the college on the demolition. The college might take down the Lake House and then we would take it from there,” Place said.
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext 238 or at kristina.matino@lee.net
The proposed project has been under consideration for more than two years, with some community residents opposing it. Koepp and Place, however, only recently became involved when they struck a deal with Wells and the foundation.
One contract will be signed with the Aurora Foundation for Koepp and Place to purchase the Webb House and the second contract will be signed with Wells College to buy the land and Lake House.
Friday's approval does not include the relocation of the Webb House because the planning board must OK final site plans.
“Our moves are slow and incremental, both properties are personal to people,” Steve Taylor of the planning board said. “We don't want to move ahead with any uncertainty.”
Taylor said that the next step will be for the clients to come back with the purchase contracts and final site plans.
The purpose of the special meeting Friday evening was for the board to vote on demolition of the Lake House and re-siting of Webb House. With only preliminary site plans created by the clients' architect, Christine Place, the board was unable to approve the re-siting segment of the proposal.
“Because there are no final site plans that exist, the only topic for consideration tonight is the demolition,” Andrew Fusco, legal representative for the Planning Board said.
Place explained that some of the preliminary plans after the demolition of Lake House include creating a new foundation with a walkout basement and transforming a parking lot into landscaped lawn and gardens.
“We're very willing to adjust our preliminary plans with the zoning board's suggestions,” Cynthia Koepp said.
Planning Board Chairwoman Nancy Gil said that two variances were granted June 5 for the Webb House by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
One variance is for the lot not meeting the required 100-foot street frontage, Gil said. The second is a height variance because when the Webb House is set on its new foundation, it will be six to 12 inches higher than the allowed 35 feet.
Koepp and Place plan to submit purchase contracts to Wells College and the Aurora Foundation Monday.
“We're already working with the college on the demolition. The college might take down the Lake House and then we would take it from there,” Place said.
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext 238 or at kristina.matino@lee.net
The Citizens' Say
There are 4 comment(s)
Auroran wrote on Jun 12, 2006 11:23 AM:
Jennifer Holland - Walk Out Basement? wrote on Jun 10, 2006 1:46 PM:
And watch your step wrote on Jun 10, 2006 12:46 PM:
Not so fast.. wrote on Jun 10, 2006 10:59 AM: