Former HARB Chairman and former Mayor CLAUDE LEONARD WEEKS, Jr. was fined only $3600 for illegally destroying 211-year old Don Pedro Fornells House on September 25, 2014
St. Augustine's conflicted Historic Architectural Review Board voted 2-1 to allow demolition of a 105 year old historic building in HP-1.
City building inspector Randy Hurry's report documented that the building is stabilized and safe.
The process is not "nuts," board member Matthew Armstrong said, rebutting CORNEAL.
Citizens Chris Emerick, Lee Geanuleas, Melinda Rakoncay, David Lowther, Norma Novak, Judith ____, and Debra Geanuleas opposed the demolition. Armstrong and board member Antoinette Wallace, a retired HUD archaeologist, voted for the destruction. Chair Randall Roark voted against. PAUL M. WEAVER III and JEREMY MARQUIST, two other board members, are working for developer DAVID BARTON CORNEAL and recused themselves.
Chris Emerick noted that the building is "safe enough to herd 50 ghost tour people through" without hardhats, noting that there is evidently a key to unlock the gate.
Lee Gianolious noted that the building was more than 105 years old, home of widew, more than just a carpenter's shed. CORNAL has
removed windows from upper stories to hasten destruction, violating city code. Mr. Gianolious said that the board was being asked to "euthanize a sick patient" based on "an opinion paid for by undertaker." An appeal to City Commission is now likely under the precedent we established on Echo House by vote of City Commission last year.
Our citizens are a formidable force and we are being heard and heeded. In the words that Admiral Yamamoto said after Pearl Harbor, all HARB and DAVID BARTON CORNEAL did today was "to awaken a sleeping giant." Onward to victory after victory!
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