Owners of Heideloff Mansion Look to Postpone ‘Historic Landmark’ Decision

The city’s planning commission is slated to meet next Thursday to decide whether to designate the 98-year-old Heideloff mansion a historic landmark under the city’s ordinance.

Not so fast, say the owners of the property, who oppose the designation.

The neighbors of the property — not the property owners — submitted the paperwork to make the mansion a historic landmark.

A law firm representing the Semaan family, which owns the property, has asked the city to push back the ruling to “afford us to compile information.”

“The Semaans did not imitative this process but now have to play catch-up,” according to the request from the Baker Hackenberg and Henning law firm, noting the property requires testing for asbestos contamination.

“People could show up for the hearing and say just about anything, so we have to be prepared for anything.”

The historic landmark ordinance is written as a two-step process: First the planning commission must decide whether a property is eligible for the designation — which it did earlier this month.

Now, the commission will rule on whether the property at 13474 Edgewater Drive should receive the designation as Lakewood’s fourth-ever historic landmark.

At odds is historic preservation versus private property rights.

After receiving notice that the home was under consideration, Michael and Stacey Semaan, then proposed to demolish the home.

The city’s architectural board of review is considering that proposal.

Jeff Weber, a neighbor who presented the historic designation plans, pointed to the architectural and historic significant value of the home — as well as the dwindling number of remaining waterfront mansions.

The Semaans said that if the home receives the designation, they would likely sell the home, and believe that the property would lose value.

A proposal for an extensive renovation to the property was approved by the city last year. Plans to build a second home on a second parcel, near the lake, were also recently approved by the city.

However, Stacey Semaan recently said there was “resistance” from the neighbors and noted that there are several issues with the house, including a damaged foundation and asbestos in the basement.

Instead of fixing it up, the Semaans are now proposing to demolish the home and build another one on the property. 

“We are either going to get the permit to (demolish the house), or sell it and be gone,” said Michael Semaan.

In the purchase agreement, the Semaans said that they wouldn’t buy the home if it were going to be named a historic site. 

The designation means that demolishing the 98-year-old home would be next to impossible.

Weber, and another neighbor Mary Breiner, submitted a 20-page application, replete with photos and a historical narrative of the property — one of the largest residential properties in the city.

Michael and Stacey Semaan bought the home for $750,000 in June 2011, according to county property records.

The previous owners of the four-bedroom, 4.5-bath home — with a soaring foyer, grand staircase, a formal dining room overlooking a reflection pond, cherry floors and a carriage house — moved out after 30 years of ownership.

The 2.6-acre property was once eyed for a 14-home development, but those plans were scrapped in March 2011.

Turns out, neighbors weren’t thrilled with that idea either.