(Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Peter Sperling, Jim Furcini and Andy Ogan in preserving the residential historical character of Arcadia.)
[OPINIONS] AZCENTRAL.COM
(Editor’s note: Opinion pieces are published for discussions purposes only.)
Those of us in the ACA/Preserve Arcadia Neighborhood Group consider the Phoenix City Council’s action on the withdrawal of the City of Phoenix application for HP Landmark designation for the David Wright House to be a victory.
We have been advocating for both the preservation of the Wright House and the preservation of the Arcadia neighborhood itself. Any action by the city to move forward with an HP-Landmark designation would only increase the chances for a special permit to usher in the type of loud and disruptive events we’ve been subjected to for the past few years.
David and Gladys Wright never envisioned their home becoming an entertainment spectacle. We never expected our way of life in Arcadia to be disrupted in this manner.
Now that this piece of the puzzle has been solved, we will continue to encourage the City Council to ensure that the home is preserved in the way it was used, as a residential space, but with opportunities for educational programs to be conducted in an appropriate scope.
Thanks to the efforts of the Arcadia community, and surrounding neighborhoods, the home and its property now officially exists as a residential use.
There are no designations enabling the Wright House’s owner to use it for commercial purposes.
We hope our grassroots effort will send a message, throughout the city, that no Phoenix neighborhood should ever have to endure a tough zoning fight to protect the peace and tranquility its residents deserve.
Thank you! — Sue Bloom
