Updated Oct. 25
Residents of Virginia Highland are choosing sides over a proposed historic district overlay in the neighborhood before there’s even a final proposal on the table.
A grassroots committee of residents is exploring the advantages and limitations of an historic district designation for two areas of the neighborhood: Adair Park and the F.A. Ames Property/Virginia Highlands. The district would include just over 300 homes. You can see a map and find out more about the committee’s efforts at highlandandvirginia.org.
In response to the committee’s exploration work, a group of residents opposed to the idea of the historic district overlay have created a petition on Change.org. Calling themselves Property Rights for Owners in Virginia Highland (or P.R.O. VaHi), the residents behind the petition said an overlay district will place limitations on homeowners rights to improve their properties and divide the community.
Aside from the master plan process you mention, there’s also a separate process underway to explore this resident proposal and educate all interested residents on the pros and cons of seeking such designation. At the end of the process residents within the impacted area will vote as to whether to proceed with seeking the designation. You can read about the process here: http://vahi.org/local-residents-initiate-historic-district-exploration-for-two-vahi-subdivisions/
Aside from the master plan process you mention, there’s also a separate process underway to explore this resident proposal and educate all interested residents on the pros and cons of seeking such designation. At the end of the process residents within the impacted area will vote as to whether to proceed with seeking the designation. You can read about the process here: http://vahi.org/local-residents-initiate-historic-district-exploration-for-two-vahi-subdivisions/