A factual and thoroughly documented statement just adopted by the Waterford Citizens’ Association concerning L’Affaire Madison:
Resolution
Board of Directors
Waterford Citizens’ Association
June 25, 2012
Whereas Milari Madison has been nominated to serve on the Loudoun County Historic District Review Committee;
Whereas, “[s]ince 1972, Loudoun County has protected its unique historic assets through the designation of local historic districts. There are six Historic and Cultural Conservation Districts in Loudoun County: Aldie, Bluemont, Goose Creek, Oatlands, Taylorstown, and Waterford. The Village of Waterford and the surrounding rural area is also a National Historic Landmark, the highest honorary designation bestowed by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The National Historic Landmark boundary is larger than the county-administered district, which is limited to the central village area” (quoted from Loudoun County website);
Whereas “[t]he Historic District Review Committee (HDRC) is a seven-member review committee appointed by the Board of Supervisors and charged with maintaining the architectural and historic integrity of Loudoun County’s Historic Districts. The HDRC uses the county’s Historic District Guidelines as the basis for review of proposed projects. The Historic District Guidelines are an adopted part of the county’s Zoning Ordinance, and relate only to the exterior appearance and the siting of structures on a property. The siting of new construction is particularly important in a rural district where the protection of historic landscapes and viewsheds is of special importance. The guidelines are available to the public as a guide for the renovation of existing structures and/or new construction projects” (quoted from Loudoun County website);
Whereas on July 15, 2003, Milari Madison and Paul Madison, her husband, purchased the Simms House at 40153 Janney Street, a historic residence in the Waterford Historic and Cultural Conservation District, formerly owned by an African American who taught at the Second Street School in Waterford;
Whereas Milari Madison allowed the Simms house to deteriorate to such a degree that she then petitioned Loudoun County for a demolition permit and then proceeded to demolish the historic Simms House on Dec. 6, 2006 (pictures are attached);
Whereas on Feb. 14, 2006, Milari Madison petitioned the National Park Service to delist the Waterford Historic District and the surrounding area, which had been designated as a National Historic Landmark;
Whereas on Aug. 24, 2007, the National Park Service denied Ms. Madison’s petition and wrote: “[W]e wish to state that far from warranting dedesignation, Waterford possesses a commendable degree of integrity. We wish to commend the Waterford Foundation on its heroic and sustained efforts over the past seventy years in promoting good stewardship and to commend the many caring property owners who have so lovingly managed their land and buildings. The efforts of the Foundation and the landowners of Waterford have resulted in the protection of the [Historic] District in the face of remarkable pressure from rising land values and demand for suburban growth. While there have been some losses, most notably your own demolition of your property at 40153 Janney Street, the vast majority of the resources that contribute to the [Historic] District are not only intact but are protected under easements that were voluntarily donated so that future generations can enjoy this remarkable place.” (Copy of National Park Service letter is attached.)
Whereas on April 13, 2007, Milari Madison filed a petition with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources to delist the Waterford Historic District from the Virginia Landmarks Register (copy of petition is attached);
Whereas on Dec. 5, 2007, the Virginia Historic Resources Board voted unanimously to deny Ms. Madison’s petition (copy of Board minutes is attached);
Whereas Milari Madison has flooded local-government agencies with zoning and other complaints, many directed at citizens of Waterford, Virginia;
Whereas Milari Madison has inundated local-government agencies with hundreds of requests for information, causing the staff of these local agencies to expend untold hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of staff time;
And whereas Milari Madison has no special training in architecture, history, historic preservation, local-government relations, or any other qualification in reviewing requests for action by the Historic District Review Committee;
Now therefore be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the Waterford Citizens’ Association, a nonprofit association comprising 106 individual citizens in and around Waterford, Virginia, that the Waterford Citizens’ Association strongly urges the Board of Supervisors of Loudoun County, Virginia, to reject the nomination of Milari Madison to serve on the Loudoun County Historic District Review Commission.
realloudoun 