Battle over controversial home in Raleigh's Oakwood neighborhood continues
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The battle over a modern home built in Raleigh's Historic Oakwood neighborhood will continue Tuesday morning.
A Wake County Superior Court judge is hearing arguments for and against the house as well as how the city goes about approving building plans.
In the battle over Louis Cherry's house built across the street from Gail Wiesner's home, everyone has something to lose.
"Most folks understand you have a building permit you're supposed to be able to go ahead, and my clients did," Nick Fountain, attorney for Louis Cherry told the judge on Monday.
Last September, the Raleigh Historic Development Commission approved his plans to build a modern-style house in the Historic Oakwood neighborhood.
With permit in hand, Cherry began to build, but Wiesner appealed saying his house did not follow proper guidelines. The city's Board of Adjustment agreed and construction came to a halt.
Cherry's attorney, and those for the City of Raleigh, have come out against that decision saying the BOA has no room to overrule a historic commission made up of experts.
Still, attorneys for Weisner argue the house shouldn't have been allowed to go up in the first place.
"The historical heritage of our state is one of the most valued and important assets," Andrew Petesch, attorney for Gail Wiesner read aloud in court. "The conservation and preservation of historic districts and landmarks stabilize and increase property values in their areas and strengthen the overall economy of the state."
