Ah it’s been a long time since this tale began – next month will be two years. I have been round and round, up and down, and it looks like it’s finally coming to a close.
I’m not sure if I have the wherewithal to detail the minutia that has happened since we first put the gazebo up, but I can certainly give a general overview – I know some of my friends are waiting to hear the ending, and I’m sorry to report it’s not the fairytale I had hoped for.
During the interim between erecting the gazebo and going before the zoning board, something truly remarkable happened – I became the President of the Board of Directors of the Lower Merion Historical Society. The hows and whys are a story for a different day, but certainly the communication over the gazebo helped put me in touch with people who were involved. I continue as president and have made many new friends and connections as well as, I hope, helped revitalize a 75-year-old community organization that had recently been through a rough patch that almost resulted in its destruction. Anyhow, back to the story at hand.
The day before we went before the zoning board, I reached out to the three neighbors who had yet to sign the non-objection form I’d sent out. I don’t want to get into specifics because it’s still very difficult for me to talk about, but one neighbor who I considered a close friend and trusted responded by calling us to tell us they did not support it, they did object, and they didn’t think we should be able to put “something like that” in our front yard. I was flabbergasted, but more than that, I felt terribly betrayed. It had been months and months since this had started, and there had been plenty of opportunities for them to talk to us about it in person, but they’d waited until the night before to reveal their feelings over a brief phone call. I will stop here because I’m getting upset just thinking about it and I’m trying to put it behind me. Anyhow, I heard nothing at all from the other two neighbors, one of whom had actually initially offered to come with me to the hearing!
Long story slightly shorter, the hearing went well, although I could tell one of the men on the board was against it. We waited what felt like forever for the outcome, and when it finally came, were disappointed yet again – they were unable to grant us relief based on the reading of the code. It was suggested I contact my Commissioner and ask him to advocate for a code change.
I was able to connect with my Commissioner, who was very nice, but not super helpful. Building & Planning was very busy, he told me; they didn’t object to the code change but it would be way down on their list. I would have to take the gazebo down and then re-erect it when – and if – the code changed.
During the course of this, I connected with an attorney to do estate planning for us. Unbeknownst to me, he was also a Commissioner – and when the topic of the gazebo came up organically, he exclaimed, “YOU’RE the gazebo?” He then proceeded to go to bat for us with the head of Building & Planning, who initially told him not to worry, that they’d get the code written. We’ve been waiting ever since to do any work on the gazebo, including putting a roof on it. It’s sat there, unfinished, through rain and snow, sun and wind. It’s twice been decorated with Christmas lights and I’ve sat in it to do things as menial as open mail and to think about my childhood and my grandparents.
A few days ago, I received the same notice I got nearly two years ago – that we had five days to remove the structure or face a $600 a day fine. I reached back out to my attorney friend, who reached out to Building & Planning. And we finally got our definitive answer.
“As far as I know, [head of B&P] was exploring the possibility of a code amendment to permit historic artifacts in frontage yards. However, [Township solicitor] expressed reservations, citing the challenges in creating and enforcing such a provision.
I know this will be disappointing news for the owners. From the ZHB testimony, it is apparent that they went to lengths to justify the location of the gazebo. I hope they can explore relocating it to another part of their property- it’s a really beautiful structure.”
Really a very kind and thoughtful response, if not the one we were hoping for. I’m feeling very deflated after two years of this has culminated in a disappointment, but as I tend to do, I am looking for a bright side. I’ve met people I never would have connected with thanks to the gazebo. I have gotten to practice determination, perseverance, and now, resilience. The saddest part, the hardest part, is knowing one of our neighbors, rather than speaking to us, rather than treating us as friends, chose to complain to the Township. I wrongly tend to assume that people will treat me with the same respect and dignity with which I treat them, and that’s not always the case. So this has contributed to my general misanthropy – but that’s part of my charm, is it not? The constant volunteer who would do almost anything for almost anyone at yet at the same time is disgusted by humanity as a whole. The paradoxical woman. The enigma.
I’m afraid that is the end of my story. I have reached out to a journalist regarding the possibility of telling the story of the gazebo in a local publication, and he said he is interested. I’m not naive enough to believe this will change the outcome, however – it’s just sweet to think of this wild tale being immortalized somewhere besides my personal blog.
Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive, complimentary, and generous as we pursue this to the bitter end. I won’t forget. ♥️
complikated 
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