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08-09-2001 HPC MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL THURSDAY, AUGUST 9,2001 Members Present: Bud Houlton, Kurt Kragness, Jeff Gongoll, Cindy Olson, Pat Dwyer and Bruce Penner Members Absent: Jim Nord Staff Present: Stephen Rohlf 1. Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Consider 8/9/01 Agenda COMMISSIONER DWYER MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. COMMISSIONER HOULTON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Consider 7/12/01 Minutes • COMMISSIONER DWYER MOVED TO APPROVE THE 7/12/01 HPC MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER GONGOLL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4. Consider Items on Planning Commission 8/28/01 Agenda The Commission reviewed the items on the 8/28/01 Planning Commission agenda and felt there were no conflicts or issues regarding the preservation of the city's heritage with the possible exception of"Trout Brook South". The property involved with this request is part of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) site 21Haj. Scatter lithic artifacts have been found on this site. The Heritage Preservation Commission is recommending that any artifacts found during any phase of this project be reported immediately to the city and SHPO. Also, the HPC recommends that the city reserve the right to require further archaeological investigation, if warranted at a later time. 5. Consider Boelter Property The HPC noted that the Boelter property on Highway 10 is the last independent gas station building in Elk River. They concluded, however,that safety concerns regarding a realignment of the Highway 10/Main Street intersection override any • historic importance of the property or building. 6. Discuss City's Certified Local Government status • Stephen Rohlf informed the group that final application for CLG status has been signed by the appropriate city officials and has been mailed off. 7. Discuss Context Study of Elk River Lengthy discussion pursued regarding the current redevelopment proposal that has been presented to the city's Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). It was the consensus of the HPC that this particular plan was insensitive to the preservation of the city's heritage. The HPC was pleased that the HRA was committed to conducting a context study prior to making decisions regarding the downtown area. The HPC encourages the HRA to consider a more balanced approach of preservation, restoration,remodel and redevelopment in the downtown area. Preserve the buildings that are identified as important to the city's heritage through the context study, restore them, remodel them if necessary to make them functional (in keeping with the historic theme of the area) and redevelop those buildings that are not significant or have lost their integrity. 8. Discuss Elk River Area Rotary's Plan to Restore the Handke Stadium Jeff Gongoll informed the group that the rotary is still in the process of raising . money for this project. 9. Discuss Bank Erosion on the Elk River and Potential Archaeological Site. Stephen Rohlf and Bud Houlton discussed erosion that has occurred on Mr. Houlton's property along the Elk River,just below the Dam. The city has applied for a Section 569 grant from the US Corps of Engineers to stabilize this erosion. The erosion uncovered a layer of concrete approximately ten feet below the surface, which may be part of the original mill site. An archaeological investigation of the site has been included as part of the grant application. 10. Other Business The Commission briefly discussed the potential for Mr. Houlton's farm being in public ownership. 11. Discuss Items to be on the,September 13th HPC Agenda It was the consensus of the group that the agenda in September contain the same items as August's agenda with the exception of discussion regarding the Boelter property. 12. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting of the Elk River HPC was adjourned • at 8:35 p.m.