Planning Commission to Revisit City's Historic Preservation Ordinance

It’s been six years since the ordinance has been reviewed. Following the recent decision on the fate of the Heideloff property, the planning commission thinks it’s time for a second look.

Following the recent decision on the Heideloff property, the Lakewood Planning Commission wants to have another look at the city’s historic preservation ordinance. No changes to the ordinance are proposed, said Dru Siley, the city’s director of planning and development. “After the historic designation discussion about the Heideloff property, the planning commission wanted to put the ordinance on the docket as a discussion item to discuss any questions they have about the ordinance,” he said. “There were some concerns about ambiguity in the ordinance. “They’re going to begin that discussion.” Siley added that the planning commission had some questions about who could nominate a property and what determines whether a property should be …

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Lakewood Residents Weigh In on Heideloff Estate Going Up for Sale

After all sorts of drama, the home was put back on the market this week for $1,599,000.

After the Drama, Heideloff Estate is Back on the Market

The home, built in 1912, was listed on the market this week for $1,599,000.

The home at 13474 Edgewater Drive that’s made lots of headlines during the past few years is back on the market.  And the price has gone up. That’s after homeowners had to wage an arduous battle to keep it off the city’s list of historic landmarks.  The home, built in 1912, was listed on the market this week for $1,599,000. Michael and Stacey Semaan bought the home for $750,000 in June 2011. They’d hoped to demolish the property to build their $2 million “dream house” along the lake. That effort was stalled when neighbors introduced a measure — against the Semaans’ wishes — to make the property a historic landmark under the city’s ordinance. The planning commission denied the neighbors’ request, and then the Semaans listed the property for…

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John

10:38 am on Wednesday, March 27, 2013

I agree Ian. There is a lack of vision and a lack of leadership. Also unfortunately, when it comes to bold public works projects like bridges there is a resistance to public investment beyond sheer utility. The challenge is to put together projects that make a statement without being cost prohibitive from a public investment standpoint. There needs to be a collective willingness to reach for …   more ›

Can the Heideloff House Still be Saved?

The property owners are looking to build a new, $2 million home on the lakefront. But they've said that they'd be willing to donate the home to neighbors who'd move it to save it from the wrecking ball.

Neighbors Appeal Planning Commission Decision on Heideloff Home

Last week, the Lakewood Planning Commission voted — in a split decision — that the home at 13474 Edgewater Drive should not be designated a historic property.

As expected, the neighbors of the 100-year-old Heideloff home filed an appeal regarding the Lakewood Planning Commission’s split decision that denied their request to make the home a historic landmark. Per the city code, the applicant had 10 days to appeal.  “This is the same board that will hear our appeal,” said Jeff Weber, a neighbor of the Heideloff home and advocate for saving it. “I just don’t know. We’re arguing with the same information.” Last week, the Lakewood Planning Commission voted — in a split decision — that the Heideloff property should not be designated a historic property. Neighbors told Lakewood Patch following the meeting that they planned to appeal the decision. The home at 13474 Edgewater Drive is expected to be …

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Heideloff Property Denied ‘Historic Landmark’ Status

At odds were private property rights versus historic preservation. After hours of discussion, the city’s planning commission splits vote down the middle, effectively tossing out the application for historic designation.

It took nearly three hours, almost 20 speakers and dozens of impassioned speeches, but the Lakewood Planning Commission finally voted — in a split decision — that the Heideloff property should not be designated a historic property. The home at 13474 Edgewater Drive is expected to be demolished to make way for a new $2 million lakefront home. Members of the planning commission deliberated for about 45 minutes on Thursday, and with a new member encouraged to abstain, the vote ended with a 3-3 decision. That effectively denied the motion to make the property “historic” under city ordinance. At the center of the debate was the issue of private property rights versus historic preservation. The neighbors, not the property owners, submitted the …

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ian king

5:28 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013

THANKS so much Neighbor for comments that so many of us Lakewoodites feel. It is absurb that this process has gotten as far as it has. I guess being President of the Historical Society gives some more insider power access and treatment than us mere Lakewood tax paying mortals. Having lived in Philadelphia, in the Society Hill area, there were at times a very contemporary townhouse next to an 18th…   more ›

Owners of Heideloff Mansion Look to Postpone ‘Historic Landmark’ Decision

At odds is historic preservation versus private property rights.

The city’s planning commission is slated to meet next Thursday to decide whether to designate the 98-year-old Heideloff mansion a historic landmark under the city’s ordinance. Not so fast, say the owners of the property, who oppose the designation. The neighbors of the property — not the property owners — submitted the paperwork to make the mansion a historic landmark. A law firm representing the Semaan family, which owns the property, has asked the city to push back the ruling to “afford us to compile information.” “The Semaans did not imitative this process but now have to play catch-up,” according to the request from the Baker Hackenberg and Henning law firm, noting the property requires testing for asbestos contamination. “People could…

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maggie j robinson

9:11 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013

Many "historical" homes have been demolished for reasons that include parking lots. (not in Lakewood, necessarily). It seems that I agree with Dave's post. If you like it, want to keep it, BUY it. If you like the Cherry floor or the "soaring" staircase, then negotiate for it before the demolition starts. If the purchasers of this home bought it BEFORE it was designated HISTORICAL, then they need …   more ›

Heideloff Mansion ‘Eligible’ for Historic Designation

The city's commission must now vote on whether the property should receive the official designation, which may keep it from a wrecking ball.

The 98-year-old Heideloff mansion was officially deemed eligible to become a historic landmark per the city’s ordinance on Thursday night. But that’s not the end of the process. The city’s planning commission must now decide whether the property at 13474 Edgewater Drive should get the designation as Lakewood’s fourth-ever historic landmark. That meeting is slated for next month.  It doesn’t appear as if it will be an easy decision. At odds is historic preservation versus private property rights. The neighbors of the property — not the property owners — submitted the paperwork to make the mansion a historic landmark. The property owners, Michael and Stacey Semaan, then proposed to demolish the home. Dozens attended the city’s planning …

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Heideloff Mansion Eyed for ‘Historic Landmark’ Designation

Neighbors — not the homeowners — submit a 20-page application to make the 98-year-old home a historic landmark.

The historic and well-known Heideloff mansion at 13474 Edgewater Drive may soon become the city’s fourth-ever historic landmark. But, it was the neighbors — not the homeowners — who proposed the idea. The proposal must first get the green light from the city’s planning commission in two public hearings. The designation means that the nearly 98-year-old home could never be torn down. Changes to the building’s exterior would also not be permitted. The planning commission will hear the proposal at next Thursday’s meeting. Under the city’s ordinance, the commission will host two hearings to determine whether the property — built by a prominent Cleveland industrialist Wilfred Sly — is eligible for the designation.  Neighbors, Mary Breiner and …

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Colin McEwen

10:34 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012

Ditto what Rick said. This is a Lakewood Historic Landmark — not NRHP. Thanks for posting, Charles.   more ›

'Heideloff Estate' Renovation Plans OK'd

The property once considered for a 14-home development gets approval for extensive renovations.

The $750,000 estate that was once considered for a 14-home development is getting a facelift. Last week, the city’s architectural board of review OK’d a major renovation to the home commonly known as the Heideloff Estate at 13474 Edgewater Drive. After talking with neighbors on the issue — and addressing the board’s concerns — the new owners of the property are moving forward. Mark Reinhold, the architect for the project, told the ABR that among the changes, the homeowners would like to include two additions (one a master bedroom and another for a kitchen) and add a five-car garage. “We’re looking to keep the character of the existing house,” Reinhold said last month. Some elements of the design include stone masonry work. Michael and …

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Brandon Scullion

10:32 am on Monday, December 12, 2011

All I want to say is thank you to the Semaan family for buying this home and the plans look beautiful. Congratulations.   more ›