The Independence Township Board is taking yet another step to try to save the McCord farmhouse.
At the April 5 regular board meeting, trustees voted unanimously to amend the planned unit development agreement between Stonewall Farms LLC and the township.
Currently, the agreement states the McCord property, including the old farmhouse, barn and other outbuildings on 2.23 acres of land located on Pine Knob Road, must be used for ‘public use or purpose.? The board voted to amend the PUD agreement to make the purpose to restore the building, but allow for residential use.
‘We checked with a title insurance company and they will not cover the home for residential use (under the current PUD agreement),? said township attorney Kathryn Caruso. ‘They want us to amend the PUD agreement.?
Trustee Dan Travis motioned to amend the agreement.
‘A great deal of introspect went into finding any possible way to make this viable,? he stated.’The money to do that, even to stabilize the barn, was a very high number.
‘Our intent was good, our goals were lofty; unfortunately, we were unable to restore this home and barn.?
The old farmhouse, barn and other outbuildings were given to the township by Stonewall Farms, LLC several years ago.
The property originally belonged to the Stickney-McCord families. Janet Stickney McCord sold the property to Stonewall Farms, LLC, which then transferred a portion of the property to Independence Township during some development negotiations.
‘It’s a shame to see how it’s been deteriorating over all these years,? said Supervisor Dave Wagner. ‘It’s a truly beautiful property.?
The township board unanimously approved the motion, and the PUD agreement will now go to the planning commission for amendment.
According to Caruso, the work at the planning commission stage can take 30-45 days.
After planning commission approval, another 30 days will be needed to bid the project to developers, who will restore the home and adapt the structure to residential use.