By Srianthi Perera
The Arizona Republic
Neither Queen Creek nor Gilbert has the historic-preservation ordinances that are in place in other Valley cities, including Mesa and Tempe.
That means that owners who want to demolish historically significant buildings, usually for development, do not encounter much resistance.
A few months ago, Tony Blake purchased a small, ranch-style home in Queen Creek that he later discovered was a former farmhouse in a shrinking orange grove.
While Blake’s neighboring homes are new, tax records indicated that his house was built in 1938.
“I would love to preserve the property; I think it’s really neat,” said Blake, who is living in the 1,300-square-foot home with his family.
Blake wants to renovate the house while preserving its historical features and have it listed as a historic home. But he found no help nor guidelines from the town.
Gilbert refers to its cultural and historical resources in Chapter7 of its General Plan, which emphasizes the historic structures within the Heritage District. The General Plan lists as examples the iconic water tower, Gilbert Unified School District headquarters and the Morrison farmstead as possible landmarks that must be preserved.
But neither Gilbert nor its General Plan offers firm guidelines for preserving them or any other historically significant building.
