The "yellow house" has been spared, at least for a year. Monday night, the Herndon Heritage Preservation Board voted to deny owner Chris Adams' application to tear down the structure located adjacent to the Adams-Green Funeral Home at 719 Elden St.
Representing Adams at the public hearing, Timothy McGrath, of McGrath Real Estate Services on Carlisle Drive, said that in light of opposition to the house's proposed demise, Adams was exploring ways to save the 2,000-square-foot, two-story structure. It is believed to date back to the late 1800s, by incorporating the house into the renovation of the funeral home or by moving it to another part of the property or to another site entirely. Even so, McGrath said Adams was not seeking to defer the board's decision.
"We know the yellow house can be rehabilitated. The question is at what cost and at what utility to the Adamses?" McGrath said. "Regardless of how you vote tonight … the yellow house will be there for at least a year and by then we'll have answers."
McGrath said Adams did not want to place the house, locally known as the yellow house, on the market just yet because they may want to keep it. The residential structure, which has been moved at least once before, housed the Herndon School and the Fortnightly Club library. It has been vacant for more than a year.
Adams had sought permission to demolish the house, which is located in the Herndon Heritage Preservation District, to enlarge the funeral home's parking lot.
By law, Adams can appeal the board's denial to the Herndon Town Council. If the council also rejects the application, the owner can attempt to sell the property. If the property is not sold within a year, and it is determined the owner made a bona fide attempt to sell it, the applicant can resubmit a demolition application.