Oak Forest razing in Hanover sparks concerns

An issue over the razing of a historic Hanover County home comes before the Planning Commission tonight.

Oak Forest, off Rural Point Road, was built around 1828, according to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmark Registry.

The owner, Charles B. Walker, is seeking an amendment to a proffered condition that came with the purchase of the home in 2007. He's seeking elimination of a condition that Oak Forest "shall be maintained on the original site. This shall not prevent the owner of the site from adding to the home provided that its basic character remains."

In its place, he's requesting that a condition say the property owner can raze the structure but will take care to preserve "those items of historical interest or value for use in the new structure" -- including mantels, doors and hardware. It would go on to say that if the property owner doesn't want these items, they'll be given to the county.

There's also a request for a new proffer that says if the home is razed, a property marker would be constructed on the original home site to identify it as the site of Oak Forest.

Walker did not return messages left for him Tuesday and yesterday. His application states that the house "is structurally unsound." Letters from engineering firms that accompany the application say that, among other things, the home has a termite infestation that has affected much of its first-floor framing. There are also foundation problems and damage to the chimneys.

County officials sought an estimate on renovations and found the cost to be between $262,000 and $310,000, according to a contractor's report.

Oak Forest is part of a 40-acre subdivision, though the house is on a 15-acre preservation lot.

Deputy Planning Director David Maloney said county officials met with Walker before he purchased the home to explain that while the proffers allow for slight changes or an addition, the county's intent with the preservation zoning was to preserve the home.

Maloney cited other historic Hanover homes that have been preserved when development occurred, including Rutland, Cool Well and Hickory Hill.

He said he advised Walker about available tax credits that would offset some of the renovation costs.

The Department of Historic Resources visited the site last fall, and a subsequent letter to the county stated that the home is in need of repairs but remains a "significant work of architecture in Hanover County."

Carl Hayes lives near Oak Forest. He said if county leaders make an exception in this case, it will be hard to stop future exceptions to the zoning designation.

A public hearing will take place tonight at 7 at the county's administration building, 7515 County Complex Road.

Contact Holly Prestidge at (804) 649-6945 or .