Wells Sherman House Relocation Slowed by Temporary Injunction
Court appeal by citizens group has hearing on permanent injunction request Tuesday
Photos
The court battle over the relocation of the historic Kent Wells Sherman House has so far slowed the project with a temporary restraining order.
Portage County Common Pleas Court Judge John Enlow issued a temporary injunction on behalf of the Kent citizens' group titled "Save the Standing Rock Garden," comprised of supporters of the Standing Rock Cultural Arts, that temporarily stops site work at 247 N. Water St. for relocation of the historic house.
Enlow issued the temporary order this month. The group originally filed an appeal to the September planning commission ruling that approved a site plan for the historic house at 247 N. Water St.
Roger Thurman, vice president of the Kent Wells Sherman House Inc. board, which is working to relocate the house, said the restraining order is only valid for 10 days and is set for a hearing on Tuesday before a Portage County magistrate.
"Basically what they stopped was any activity on the lot or changing the circumstances of the lot from what was on there before," Thurman said. "But I don’t think (the judge) realizes we actually own the land."
The original appeal, filed Oct. 7 by Kent attorney John Plough, alleges that the city of Kent violated some aspects of the Ohio Sunshine Law with regards to a Kent Architectural Review Board meeting about the house that Regula-Meyer said was not properly advertised to the public.
The updated appeal, submitted Nov. 5, names the KWSH board among the case defendants.
Lisa Regula Meyer, lead organizer of the Save the Standing Rock Garden, said previously the goal of filing the appeal is the same goal the group has over the past six months or more — find another location for the house.
"At the very least we hope to point out that the process that the city of Kent has been engaging in has not been up to par," she said.
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Paul Sellman
5:10 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
The better solution would be to tear down the dumpy building on the corner and center the house on the bigger lot. It is interesting to see people protest on the use of property they do not own. :(
Mars
8:44 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
No one can "own" any of the Earth. You can inhabit it. You can claim through odd human laws that you "own" property, but in all truth. You can not.
Sue JEffers
9:24 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
do you own the "dumpy building" ? it is interesting seeing you take an interest in property and buildings and businesses you do not own, and apparently communities you do not belong to.
T
7:35 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
Matt, I'd appreciate if you'd clarify that Standing Rock Cultural Arts is not involved in this legal action and that the SRCA Board voted in September 2012 not to pursue any legal action when it was the only option for appeal. As you noted, Save the Standing Rock Garden is a citizens group begun by Lisa Regula-Meyer and a separate entity from Standing Rock Cultural Arts, Inc. It might not prevent ugly comments directed at our organization or the building that we, Vinyl Underground, and tenants rent from the building owner, but we'd appreciate the clarification. I've had numerous people ask me about this since articles hit the Patch and Record Courier, and I've repeatedly had to clarify that we are not involved. Thank you.
Matt Fredmonsky
9:36 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
Tina, I think your comment clarifies it but I will be careful to state that in future articles. Please note that nowhere in my articles about the court action does it say SRCA is involved, only people who support SRCA.
Mr Confederate Man
11:13 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
It doesn't seem like a historical house anymore. It's been moved a lot. And the outside of parents doesn't show much history.....BUT It sure does look a whole lot better Then that graffiti Some people call art.
Pat
7:15 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
The whole corner on Portage and North Water Street is a dump. Even if it is to be an artist galery I would never enter the building for anything. I can't believe know one has ever put an end to this dumpy peice of property. If the City of Kent really cared about the downtown town area then they would have done something positive to this dump!
Misty Jones
11:12 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Promise you no one wants your negative energy on that corner anyway. What did you do positive for the "dump"???
Mr Confederate Man
10:56 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Pat is really speaking the truth. She is right. Misty, you can't tell me that this is the better side if town
Sue JEffers
9:26 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
please, you are invited to stay far away. amazing at the superiority complex some people seem to have.
Sue JEffers
9:40 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
as this progresses i find it harder and harder to believe that saving the house has anything to do with most people with "kswh" wanting to rip up the garden. a longstanding feud with the owner of the building and a distaste for the occupants of that building are the driving motivation for more than one of the folks. remember ned, that building as well as the bars were there when you bought that house. and 20 years later, the community still does not care to be remade in your image.