Want to help Save the Historic Mansion at 40th & Pine? Want to help keep a precedent that you can demolish a historic property without proving hardship or attempting to sell it from getting on the legal books in Philadelphia?
On Tuesday April 8, 2014, the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas will be holding Oral Arguments on whether the Historical Commission was correct in approving the University of Pennsylvania's request to demolish the Levy-Leas Mansion at 400 S. 40th Street on the basis of Financial Hardship when they did not try to sell the property first. If they win then they can demolish the mansion - that is what they asked to do and they got permission from the Historical Commission to demolish it. The appeal filed by a group of Near Neighbors has kept it from being demolished thus far. If you can make it, please attend to show you support for keeping the Mansion and the legal precedent for requiring an attempt to sell a historic property prior to demolition based on hardship. Tuesday April 8, 2014 at 9:30am Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas City Hall Courtroom #232 Arguing the case will be the attorney for the Near Neighbors, an attorney for Penn and an Attorney for the City. The Near Neighbors appeal focuses on the fact the Owner (UPenn) did not attempt to sell the property, as is specifically required to do by law prior to applying for a demolition permit. We will also argue that the Historical Commission erred in allowing the University to refer to an expected 11% return on investment as the test for financial hardship. Penn and the City are claiming that the Near Neighbors (adjacent property owners and Woodland Terrace residents) don't have standing (i.e., do not have the legal right) to bring this appeal and try to stop the demolition. If we don't who does? The proceedings will begin at 9:30 A.M. and they should last for less than 90 minutes. You will not be able to testify, but we would still like for you to attend to show your support. Enter City Hall at the NE corner of the building and bring your ID to show at the security desk. Thank you, Lauren Leatherbarrow President Woodland Terrace HomeOwners Association Past VP and Former Board Member Spruce Hill Community Association Member University City Historical Society Lived on Woodland Terrace since 1985 Don't know me - come to the UC Garden Club May Fair Plant Sale on May 10th in Clark Park ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity-Announce." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. You may post announcements to this list, but this list attempts to prevent discussion. Please use univcity to discuss messages on this list. Subscribers of univcity receive all mail to this list.
