Commission Exodus After Flap Over Queen Anne Homes

Four members of a historical preservation group in Farmington have resigned over a dispute about the future of four Queen Anne-style homes the city might acquire and then raze to make room for a residential development.

On Monday, the Farmington City Council is expected discuss the resignations of the four members of the city’s Historical Commission — Maria Taylor, Jenna Stacy, Marilyn Weimar and Jim Atkinson, Hometownlife.com reports.

The four resigned suddenly last week after city officials said they had exceeded their authority in their plans to meet owners of businesses housed in the Queen Anne properties on Grand Avenue and discuss the city’s plans for redevelopment.

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City Manager Dave Murphy said he wasn’t trying to stop the commissioners from talking to businesses, only that they couldn’t use city letterhead or resources in their outreach, which he said was ‘outside the scope of the ordinance that dictates what they can do and what they can’t.”

The four buildings in question aren’t located in a historic district, but Stacy said they’re worth preserving.

“It’s a big deal they’re trying to tear down these structures,” Stacy said. “But what they’re bringing in may not be viable. I think there are better ways to redevelop that area that will work in tandem with other structures along Grand River.”

The council hasn’t formally accepted the resignations, but Mayor Bill Galvin said finding replacements shouldn’t be difficult if the council votes Monday to accept the resignations.

In the meantime, Stacy and Taylor have started a new group, Preservation Farmington, whose core mission is public education on Farmington history and the historic nature of its buildings.

“We have early historic structures from when the community was first founded,” Stacy said. “If you tear those down to put up a three-story multi-use building, we’re completely altering the character of Farmington.”

» Photo via Farmington Historical Commission Facebook page.