Caryn Hodge, Governor Albert Bryan Jr.'s nominee to the Virgin Islands Historic Preservation Commission, told lawmakers Thursday that financing difficulties and probate laws present greater obstacles to redevelopment in the territory's historic towns than preservation requirements, as she defended the commission against claims that it discourages investment.
Ms. Hodge, a real estate broker and former history teacher, appeared before the Committee on Rules and Judiciary, where she urged lawmakers to help property owners overcome barriers to restoring and redeveloping historic buildings. Her nomination ultimately received unanimous committee support.
“You cannot get a construction loan in the Virgin Islands, and while there are tax incentives that exist for property owners, a lot of our community, we don't have a lot of cash available to take advantage of a tax incentive,” she told lawmakers.
Ms. Hodge also identified the territory's probate laws as a factor contributing to stalled redevelopment, particularly when families inherit properties but encounter difficulties transferring ownership or settling estates.
“You have families who would love to redevelop their properties, but the current probate law is a hindrance,” she told Senator Milton Potter.
Senator Novelle Francis Jr. has introduced legislation to modernize the territory's probate laws, including changes intended to simplify estate administration and inheritance procedures.
However, Mr. Francis noted that financing is not an obstacle for every property owner and questioned Ms. Hodge about complaints of delays in obtaining approvals from the Historic Preservation Commission.
Although she has not yet served on the commission, Ms. Hodge suggested that securing a quorum can be difficult because members have other professional responsibilities. She said meeting attendance is “often a challenge since everyone has… a main job,” but maintained that she was unaware of any “untoward delays with applications.”
In her prepared testimony, Ms. Hodge described the commission as “an incredible resource for property owners in the historic districts,” arguing that its responsibilities extend beyond enforcing preservation requirements.
She said commission members function as “free consultants,” offering guidance on building materials, paint colors, building plans, and other aspects of restoring historic properties.
Ms. Hodge maintained that owners purchasing buildings in designated historic districts should understand that renovations are subject to preservation standards.
“I will say that if you purchase a property within the historic district, you should know from the outset that there are going to be rules that have to be followed with regard to redeveloping a property,” she stated.
Responding to Senator Angel Bolques Jr., she rejected the suggestion that the commission's requirements prevent property owners from moving forward with improvements.
“I do think it's a bit of a myth that the HPC is an impediment to people redeveloping their property,” Ms. Hodge said.
She pointed to the commission's flexibility and the range of colors, materials, and architectural styles available to owners seeking approval for renovations.
Senator Kenneth Gittens pressed the nominee on how the commission distinguishes a historically significant property from a building that is merely old.
He asked whether she would support a review system that “applies different levels of review based on a building's documented historic significance, the architectural character, and contribution to the district.”
Ms. Hodge declined to commit to such a system without examining how the proposed review categories would operate, telling Mr. Gittens that she would first need to “really understand what those levels are.”
“My intention on the historic preservation commission is to help the public and the Legislature to recognize its value and support property owners in being able to develop their properties,” she later told him.
Ms. Hodge also pledged to examine the details of the laws governing historic preservation as she prepares for potential service on the commission.
Her nomination now moves to the full Legislature for further consideration.
