St. Charles woman wants to sell property; but panel says whoa

Until recently, Ann Shirley Bowie had planned to sell her house and an adjoining lot for enough to pay off two mortgages and retire to Ohio with money in the bank.

But now the 67-year-old St. Charles woman finds herself scuffling with historic preservationists over whether the Victorian structure should be protected as a local landmark.

"They say they want to preserve history, but they're destroying someone's future in doing so," Bowie said.

The chairman of the city's historic preservation commission contends officials are not trying to hinder Bowie's ability to sell, but rather want to preserve a historical piece of an old neighborhood.

The dispute began after Bowie, whose husband died July 23, says she received a tentative offer for the house at 405 S. Seventh St. and a ¼-acre next door for about $720,000. The house would have been demolished, and three new ones would go up on the property, Bowie said.

That plan prompted Steven Smunt, a local dentist and a neighbor of Bowie's, to quickly file paperwork nominating the house as a landmark with the city's historic preservation commission, of which he is chairman.

Landmark status would prevent the house from being torn down, although it could be relocated on the property with city council approval.

Smunt said the 2,953-square-foot structure -- built in the 1890s and known locally as the "Eddie Munster house" -- is a vital part of his neighborhood and a city that Bowie plans to leave behind.

"This house was around before (Bowie) was around," he said. "She was never part of this community, and she doesn't intend to stay. So who's going to protect the neighbors from the destruction of their neighborhood?"

The towering structure is one of several built by Charles A. Miller, a Civil War veteran who owned a local paper mill and served as a St. Charles alderman, town clerk and township supervisor.

Known for its elegant interior woodwork and pocket doors, among other features, it is tucked away in a wooded corner lot.

Smunt said he and other neighbors don't oppose selling the house -- only compromising its historic value.

"This house, it's a well-recognized structure because of its architecture, and there are very few examples of it around," he said. "We feel this is important for the citizens of St. Charles to preserve for future generations."

Bowie said she plans to take her attorney to a public hearing tonight, where the commission could vote on landmark status. She is asking people to come to the 7 p.m. hearing at city hall, 2 E. Main St., and support her "right to sell to whom I want."

Mayor Don DeWitte cautioned against putting too much stock in the commission's recommendation, which will then be considered by the city council. Homeowners also can appeal landmark designations.

Bowie said the house has been in her husband Thomas' family since the 1950s, and he warned her before his death that "parasites would come out of the wall" to stop her from selling it.

However, Kim Malay, the city's historic preservation coordinator, said Bowie's husband had warmed up to the idea of preserving the house and even allowed commission members to tour it shortly before he died.

DeWitte said he wants to see "in writing" any interest Thomas Bowie showed in making the house a landmark before he would support such a recommendation.

The city previously has designated two houses landmarks against owners' wishes. Malay said both projects ended up being "success stories" that eventually won over the previous owners.

Bowie, so far, isn't budging.

"If you want to not tear it down," she said, "then please come and buy it, city of St. Charles."