The Sykes Ranch House
Pulte Homes, who is developing the Vineyard housing tract on the west side has offered $100,000 to the city so that they can demolish the Sykes Ranch House. It seems a couple "consultants" have decided for us Murrietans that the building isn't worth saving. Perhaps not, but it sure seems like another developer trying to homogenize Murrieta culture into a typical SoCal town model. For profit.
I think that permission to demolish historical structures in Murrieta should be based on mitigation, not on a laughingly meagre cash offering. The type of mitigation I am talking about is one historical building goes but another one gets refurbished. We still have the old school and the mill standing. Is the city that hard up for cash to where they want to pawn our old buildings and throw away the ticket?
According to Laura Mitchell, the original project by Greenhill development had set aside 5 acres in the center of the project to preserve the house, windmill and barn. With the house gone, isn’t Pulte free to build more houses, at a profit far in excess of $100,000? The original agreement should stand or their permit to build should be revoked.
By the way, the Vineyard area is zoned SP215, I wonder what that means?
I think that permission to demolish historical structures in Murrieta should be based on mitigation, not on a laughingly meagre cash offering. The type of mitigation I am talking about is one historical building goes but another one gets refurbished. We still have the old school and the mill standing. Is the city that hard up for cash to where they want to pawn our old buildings and throw away the ticket?
According to Laura Mitchell, the original project by Greenhill development had set aside 5 acres in the center of the project to preserve the house, windmill and barn. With the house gone, isn’t Pulte free to build more houses, at a profit far in excess of $100,000? The original agreement should stand or their permit to build should be revoked.
By the way, the Vineyard area is zoned SP215, I wonder what that means?
posted by J. L. Kunkle at
Friday, January 28, 2005
8 Comments:
FYI, SP215 simply means Specific Plan 215 zoning, i.e., whatever was approved for the Specific Plan. Thus, if the City decided to allow the $100k contribution in lieu of "saving" the Sykes Ranch House it does not mean additional homes could be built without amending the Specific Plan and requiring public hearings and the like.
Murrieta Resident since 1993
By
Anonymous, at Sunday, February 06, 2005 4:51:00 PM
Since when have public hearings had any influence on the zone changes taking place in Murrieta?
By
J. L. Kunkle, at Monday, February 07, 2005 12:39:00 PM
Public Hearings ALWAYS have an impact on decisions to re-zone or grant any discretional entitlements. Just because one doesn't get their preferred decision does not mean that the Public Hearing process is not working. Anyone who professes that developers always get what they want is as clueless as a resident who says they never get what they want.
Murrieta resident since 1993
By
Anonymous, at Tuesday, February 08, 2005 9:10:00 PM
The kangaroo court that takes place in the city council is famous for ignoring dissenting input. As elected officials, don’t you think that they owe the citizens with viewpoints contrary to their own any consideration?
By
J. L. Kunkle, at Wednesday, February 09, 2005 5:02:00 PM
Why are we citzens letting a few consultants and a group of developers tear down our old landmarks, such as the Sykes Ranch House. This is our town and it seems to me they are making decisions for us is LUDICRUS. When there is a will of the people of Murrieta, we can save our Old Land-Marks for our children and grand-children's sake. We also want to preserve another great historical Land-Mark which is our Washington and Brown street Bridge. It is a very safe and sound bridge with-out cracks and could be used as a cross over from North and South for our horse children near the Murrieta creek bed which is going to be horse trails. It does not need to be destroyed at the cost of thousands of dollars,and for what reason? When our land-marks are gone, they are gone forever. When is this MADNESS going to stop. I'm for taking back our town for my children and grand-children. How about yours?
By
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By
Anonymous, at Tuesday, November 01, 2005 4:01:00 PM
The city should be wise about this. The historical building has much significance for the fact that it is a direct representation of the city's history and upcoming. It's got to be saved and preserved for the future generations, though it may not be a major attraction. But, it adds a sense of importance and value similar to any prehistoric downtown district. Did the light bulb illuminate? Try flickering the switch a couple times, now did it? So, if the city decides to callaborate with Pulte on the demolition of this sound historic building, we are all fooled and taken advantage of. Pulte might as well build a demolition track!!We must work to stop this by creating resistance. The locals should and need to adopt a non-profit preservation association to protect any and all historic structures which may be of low or high iimportance. The city may run off of cash flow game plan and see the offer enticing but we view the city to being as our hometown. Case Closed!
By
Anonymous, at Tuesday, December 06, 2005 9:20:00 PM
I would find it interesting and rewarding to preserve this structure from demolition. So, those interested in forming together, please email me and count me. I can try to attend or meet up during my off hours.
webmaster@wigwammotel.com
By
Anonymous, at Tuesday, December 06, 2005 10:18:00 PM
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