Historic district amendment going to ballot

The proposed amendment to make Madeira’s two historic houses and the Train Depot part of a historic district will be put to the voters in November.

A group of eight Madeira residents collected signatures for a proposed amendment to make the Hosbrook House, 7014 Miami Ave.; the Muchmore House, 7010 Miami Ave., and the Train Depot, 7701 Railroad Ave, and the land the three properties are on part of a historic district.

The Madeira City Council ordinance directing the Hamilton County Board of Elections to add the proposed amendment to the ballot for the November election passed at the July 28 meeting, but as Councilwoman Traci Teist and others said it is just a matter of procedure and an administrative function.

Madeira Law Director Bob Malloy said now it not the time for council to determine the appropriateness of the proposed amendment.

“It doesn’t mean it is enforceable. It doesn’t mean it can’t be challenged,” Malloy said.

He said the language of the bill doesn’t mean anything until it is interpreted by the city. The amendment text said the two historic houses and the Train Depot “will be included in the ‘Historic District.’” Malloy said there is not a way for the city to enforce that because the city does not have a historic district and the amendment does not create one.

“It baffles me what we are intended to do with it if it is elected by the electors,” Malloy said.

The group of citizens who collected the signatures were looking to create a historic district, because the regulations and restrictions would ensure the houses are better protected, group member Doug Oppenheimer said. The group needed 229 valid signatures to get the amendment on the ballot. It collected 542.

The three properties are part of the Muchmore Historic Area, which does not have the same restrictions as a historic district would.

Malloy said the amendment if adopted by the voters could be challenged by legal action or nullified or clarified by another amendment to the charter.

The ordinance passed with a 6-0 vote. Many members said they only voted yes because they had to. Councilman Kenneth Born said he voted yes “begrudgingly.” Vice Mayor Melisa Adrien was not at the meeting.

“I am absolutely opposed to governing our city by charter amendment. It is a bad idea to lock the city into financial obligations,” Born said.

City Manager Tom Moeller said it could cost the city between $5,000 and $10,000 to have the amendment on the ballot.

“It seems like our costs are just starting. So be it, I know what we have to do, but it is going to be costly,” Councilman Rob Steier said.

Malloy said the ballot issue will not affect the council looking into its options for the future of the Hosbrook and Muchmore houses, which are owned by the city and leased to the Madeira Woman’s Club and Creativities owner Christine Parker, respectively.

Madeira Economic Development Committee has been charged with figuring out what to do with them. Committee Chair and Councilwoman Nancy Spencer said the committee is still looking for more input from residents. The city is holding a meeting to discuss the houses with residents Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. at Madeira Middle School.

Want to know more about what is happening in Madeira? Follow Marika Lee on Twitter: @ReporterMarika

Amendment text

The city of Madeira was deeded and assumed ownership of the “Hosbrook House” located at 7014 Miami Ave. and the “Muchmore House” located at 7010 Miami Ave. In addition to these two properties the city also has ownership of the historic Railroad Depot located at 7701 Railroad Ave. These three important and historic properties are to be preserved, protected, and left standing on the same ground the structures were built upon. These three historic structures will be included in the “Historic District.”