In an effort to prevent the Chardon Square log cabin from being torn down and replaced with a new community center, Chardon businessman Dennis Killeen reached back in time.
It is one more chapter in the saga of Heritage House, which is due to begin construction in a matter of weeks.
Thursday, Pearce Leary, a Chardon attorney retained by Killeen sent a letter to James Gillette, Chardon law director, requesting Gillette to “…institute a civil action in the name of the municipal corporation, Chardon, to restrict and enjoin the contemplated misapplication of funds of the City of Chardon.”
The letter goes on to point out council has agreed to spend taxpayer dollars to demolish the cabin and build Heritage House, which would violate the deed restriction filed when the square was dedicated in 1812.
The restriction allows a courthouse to be built at the end of the square so as not to interfere with the view across the green. It also allows construction of a meeting house and school house, “…in which case they are to erect said meeting house five rods due South of the place for the court house … and no other places on said public square.”
Leary goes on to say:
“The Heritage House will be neither a meeting house or a school house. While it will have meeting space, it will not be a structure solely dedicated to being a meeting house, as is the existing log cabin.”
The Heritage House design includes an evaporator room for maple syrup and a kitchen/concession stand for events on the square, according to an architect’s design.
Construction is expected to be $450,000 and the entire project will not exceed $600,000, according to city Engineer Paul Hornyak.
Killeen has been outspoken in his objection to the replacement of the log cabin with the Heritage House, partly because it is larger than the older structure.
“You should walk the square — pace off the huge footprint that you will plant on our green space,” he wrote in an open letter to council members dated Friday. “As for me — having come to love the square, I will continue to do what I can to prevent this atrocity.”
Council already approved one change in the design from a metal hip-roofed structure to one with a more traditional roofline, bowing to overwhelming public opinion. The square footage and interior design remained the same.
Killeen continued to protest in his open letter to council.
“So, even if you went with the flow and voted yes in February, there’s no reason you can’t vote no today. Just make a motion, It’s not too late,” he wrote.
Chardon Mayor Phil King said Leary’s letter won’t alter the city’s plans.
“It changes nothing. It’s just a letter,” King said. “We still plan to move forward with Heritage House.”
The exact date of demolition has not been set, but it will be within the month, he said, civil action not withstanding.
“People threaten litigation all the time. It doesn’t mean they’re right,” King said.