| Longstanding tensions between Orange’s Historic Preservation Commission and the local city government are coming to a head. Last year, Mayor Dwayne Warren refused to reappoint enough commissioners to a new term. Though the HPC still remains a legal commission under an ordinance passed in 2013, Warren’s refusal to make reappointments leaves them unable to form a quorum, effectively ending their work. This is coming at a time when large developments are happening within historic districts that should fall under the commission’s review authority, according to Jody Leight, HPC chair. “Some things were getting approved administratively but other larger projects wouldn’t come to us at all,” Leight said. “There was active sabotage from City Hall and the final blow was the walk-on motion.” |
Courtesy: Preservation Bites