Daiseys: Lewes HPARC hearing not needed

A longtime Lewes family alleges a Lewes commission is treating them differently than other applicants. 

The historic preservation architectural review commission voted Jan. 4 to hold a public hearing on Darryl and Darnell Daisey’s proposed renovations to 111 Coleman Ave., because part of a contributing structure meets criteria for demolition.

The Daiseys believe a public hearing is unnecessary. 

“We’re not demolishing anything on this property that is a contributing structure,” Darnell said. “Every new addition integrates the old with the new. I don’t know why this is different than any other extension of a house.”

Chair Barbara Warnell began the discussion by stating that a public hearing would be required if the commission determined a demolition was to take place on two contributing structures in the rear of the property.

“Because of all the alterations you’re making, you can no longer see those two structures. They’re being consumed by the additions,” Warnell said. “If any part of the contributing structure is requested to be demolished, moved, elevated or relocated on the property, that’s considered demolition.”

Warnell was referencing guidelines from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and the Delaware Historic Preservation Office. HPARC closely follows those guidelines.

Commissioner Michael Weider read similar requirements from city code.

Warnell also referenced a 1931 Sanborn map that shows two structures on the property. That would make them contributing under HPARC definitions. The commission often uses those maps as a source of information.

The Daisey brothers presented evidence they say proves one of the structures had been replaced in the 1980s and should not be considered contributing.

The panel approved a motion 4-0 to set a public hearing. Commissioner George Thomasson abstained, because he said he was not clear on what was being discussed.

Later in the meeting, Thomasson offered a motion to withdraw the first motion for the public hearing. It failed by a 3-2 vote.

The public hearing will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Rollins Center. The regular HPARC meeting will follow. The panel could vote on the Daisey project at that meeting.

During the Jan. 4 meeting, the Daisey brothers accused HPARC of treating them differently from other applicants.

“I’m kind of shocked,” Darnell said. “I’ve watched your hearings in the past. I’ve seen other applicants extend properties and knock down partial properties. You cannot tell me what we’re demolishing [is] contributing, because we’re not doing it. So now we’re having a public hearing on a phantom demolition.”

Warnell later told the Cape Gazette that, over the years, nine properties have been subject to public hearings over the same criteria relating to some form of demolition.

The Daiseys want to dramatically change the look of the Coleman Avenue property, which their family has owned since 1920. The house was built in 1870 as servant quarters.

They have already made concessions to align with HPARC criteria, including eliminating a double front window and reducing the height of the proposed rear addition.

But, the Daiseys are not budging on a proposed roof peak and window, and full roof extension over the front porch.

HPARC commissioners said those changes are not permitted because they were never on the original house.

The Daiseys told the Cape Gazette they hope to have an informal meeting with city staff to address the renovations before the public hearing.

The Daisey family has a history with HPARC. Last year, they were at the center of an often-contentious process over the demolition of their house at 331 Chestnut St.

In that case, the commission decided the structure had become non-contributing, then approved the demolition.