By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Objectors who want to save Doris Duke’s main residence have filed an appeal Friday, Nov. 5, with the township Board of Adjustment.
The group called DORIS (Demolition Of Residence Is Senseless) has been given a place on the zoning board’s Dec. 2 meeting in the township municipal building. It’s presumed the filing puts a hold on the issuance of any demolition permit for the 65,000-square-foot house whose core dates back to the 1860s.
The Duke Farms Foundation received permission to process its demolition permit after the township Historic Preservation Commission’s vote on Oct. 29.
DORIS says its primary focus was to convince the commission to deny the demolition permit. In a press release, the group says the Historic Commission “did not perform its due diligence and blindly accepted the testimony of the Duke Farms Foundation with little supporting documentation.”
The appeal relies on the state Municipal Land Use Law to justify the appeal to the Board of Adjustment.
The appeal says the commission committed “extensive procedural and substantive errors” in violation of local and state law.
The commission demonstrated bias and acted in a disrespectful and unprofessional manner toward the public,” and that there was “insufficient basis in the record to support the decision.”
Final resolution was passed without allowing public comment, a violation of the state’s Open Public Meetings Act, the group says. The objectors said they believe two of the member had an appearance of a conflict, if not an actual conflict. “At least one member of the commission actually slept during portions of the hearings,” they said.
The appeal asks the Board of Adjustment to reject the commission’s decision, deny the demolition permit and take some action, perhaps holding a new hearing.
The appeal also repeats a contention made during the hearing that the municipal ordinance language creates a presumption against demolition by saying demolition of historically significant buildings “shall be discouraged.”
DORIS supporters said they were surprised the demolition was approved.
“The Historic Preservation Commission decision was wrong, to put it mildly,” Nancy Piwowar, local history advocate and DORIS member, said. “They made this decision knowing that the Doris Duke’s residence is on the township’s historical inventory and is also eligible for the state and national Registers of Historic Places. It was obvious that Duke Farms did not sufficiently address the seven required conditions in Hillsborough’s historic ordinance to permit demolition.”
Ms. Piwowar said, “It is outrageous to think that Doris Duke would support the demolition of the Duke family homestead even though her will is not specific about its use after her death. One only has to look at her character and actions.“
The DORIS group says Doris Duke had a great love for historic preservation as demonstrated by her efforts to save the Duke estate boundary wall from demolition by the state of New Jersey when Route 206 was widened. Even before that, when her mother decided to sell the Duke estate after the death of her father, Miss Duke initiated a legal challenge that went to the Supreme Court. Miss Duke prevailed, and called the residence home for the remainder of her life.
Doris Duke is also the founder and benefactor of the Newport Restoration Foundation, which saved more than 82 structures there and supported Newport’s revival.
Elisabeth McConville, of Bridgewater, her personal assistant for 20 years, attests to Miss Duke’s devotion to her home.
“The Duke family lived in the residence for more than 100 years. This was the place that both father and daughter called home. This was their official residence.”
Ms. McConville added, “Miss Duke spent most of her time at Duke Farms even though she had other residences. Miss Duke thought the mansion would be used by the foundation to further her mission and interests. She never thought they would tear down her beloved home.”
David Brook, a DORIS supporter, Hillsborough resident and an attorney, filed the appeal.
“It is our hope that the Board of Adjustment will reverse the demolition decision and deny the permit,” Mr. Brook said. “Doris Duke’s residence is a treasure we cannot afford to lose. Preservation of the residence will add significant value to the community and allow future generations to appreciate the story and legacy that Doris Duke wanted as part of her philanthropic efforts.”
