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Your Friendly Neighborhood Kent Patch Editor.

Ridiculous.

I'm happy the house will be saved as it is significant historically and architecturally for the city of Kent, but it's a shame that there couldn't be a better solution given all of the controversy between the two organizations.

Truly disappointing. Hoping this isn't over for the green space.

Why would the Planning Commission say "yes" to the exact same project they correctly said "no" to a few weeks ago? They seem clearly to have been directed to do so, despite overwhelming public support for preserving the green space and moving the antique house elsewhere. In such cases, usually one needs to follow the money.

How much better it would have been had the Planning Commission adhered to its principles rather than capitulating to a moneyed interest. Their decision is a slap in the face to both the beloved arts organization, and to the respected Cherokee painter, both of whose work will be obscured by this house that does not belong in the spot that has been selected and mandated for it by the moneyed interests.

The writer of this article knows full well that it is not proper for the Standing Rock Garden to be referred to as a "vacant lot."

WOW, property owners rights prevail amazing.

And as I mentioned before, why the concern with the way the politics were stacking up? I was not really surprised given Fink's comment that the Planning Commission would have to follow the recently empowered (by City Council) Architectural Review Board's decision (in contradiction with the codes he also listed stating that the Planning Commission is to take into account public comment) so I'm surprised that you are. I'm not sure I'm more surprised than the fact that the ARB meeting wasn't publicized while under Sunshine Law however, at least no record that I can find. Anyone still care to discuss rights?

I still hear the bile coming from some who support the Standing Rock position. I am somewhat dissapointed in this as I know most of the people who are making these statements and have worked with them in various ways over the year. Did Standing Rock believe they would have free accesss to this land forever? The people who own it were generous enough to allow Standing Rock to use it for over 20 years. I remember the Free School that was set up years ago by people who are involved with Standing Rock. It was located where the Zephyr patio is now. Times change and land use changes. With the expansion going on downtown, it was just a matter of time before someone else would have purchased the North Water lot and who knows what might have been placed there.
I also know the people who saved the Sherman-Wells house and they are not "monied" people, just smart at fundraising and dealing with the system. It's time for Standing Rock to work with the Sherman-Wells people and make the project one that will benefit the entire community.

I am proud of all the children who came out and spoke at meetings. I am proud of the petitioners who collected hundreds of signatures in support o the greenspace. I am proud of the polite demeanor of greenspace supporters. I understand how the commercial interests took advantage of the Friends by refusing alternate sites. I am ashamed of the cowardice of our city council, where only one member, Robin Turner, offered to help negotiate a community-based solution.

As an extremely visual person, I would have to say that the house looks really out of place there because the neighborhood has a more industrial feel and is full of texture.
It is the Wabi-Sabi part of town. It should go somewhere like the old jail at Fred Fuller so it can be celebrated and noticed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi

Yes. What she said.