02-13-2003 HPC MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
• HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2003
Members Present: Cliff Lundberg, Cindy Olson, Pat Dwyer, and Kurt Kragness
Members Absent: Jim Nord, Bud Houlton and Jeff Gongoll
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 6:35 p.m.
2. Consider 2/13/03 Agenda
COMMISSIONER DWYER MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 4-0.
3. Consider 12/12/02 Minutes
• COMMISSIONER DWYER MOVED TO APPROVE THE 12/12/02
MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER LUNDBERG
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
4. Consider Items on Planning Commission 2/25/03 Agenda
The Commission reviewed the items on the 2/25/03 Planning Commission
agenda.
COMMISSIONER LUNDBERG MOVED TO ADOPT A STANDARD
CONDITION THAT WOULD APPLY TO ALL REQUESTS INVOLVING
EXCAVATION OR GRADING THAT READS AS FOLLOWS:
"ANY ITEM OR CONDITION FOUND THAT INDICATES THE SITE IS
LIKELY TO YIELD INFORMATION IMPORTANT TO PRE-HISTORY
OR HISTORY SHALL BE REPORTED TO THE CITY IMMEDIATELY.
FURTHER, THE CITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO STOP WORK
AUTHORIZED IN ITS APPROVAL UNTIL THE SITE IS
APPROPRIATELY INVESTIGATED AND THE WORK IS
AUTHORIZED TO CONTINUE BY THE CITY."
AND HAVE THIS CONDITION SPECIFICALLY APPLY TO THE
• SCHMIDT MINERAL EXCAVATION REQUEST. COMMISSIONER
DWYER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0.
• 5. Consider Conducting Oral Interviews in 2003
The Commission decided to conduct oral interviews using volunteers. Kurt
Kragness will contact the Oral History Society regarding someone to provide
training for the volunteers. Stephen Rohlf informed the group that an add for
volunteers has been placed on the city's web site. Commissioner Lundberg
mentioned the RSVP program in regards to getting senior citizen volunteers.
Commissioner Olson offered to be the volunteer coordinator and to contact Mrs.
Strei regarding the RSVP Program. The rest of the Commission will come to the
next HPC meeting prepared with a list of potential interviewees.
6. Discuss Literature Search and Archaeological Modeling Grant
The Commission reviewed the proposed grant for conducting a literature search
of Elk River and archaeological model with a focus on the milling district.
Stephen Rohlf informed the Commission that the State Historic Preservation
Office indicated that the city is likely to be awarded this grant, turning the city's
$5,000 for this effort into $17,000. Mr. Rohlf and Commissioner Kragness also
discussed the excitement of the State Archaeologist, after his visit to Elk River's
milling district.
7. Comprehensive Planning Process Discussion
• The Commission discussed the proposed new definition of the city's "Central
Business District" and potential conflicts a change to commercial zoning may
pose to historic residential areas. The Commission decided to view the proposed
Central Business district to identify any conflicts prior to the next HPC meeting to
prepare a recommendation to the Comprehensive Plan Committee.
Discussion regarding areas proposed to be changed form single family to high
density residential also pursued. The Commission was concerned that this change
may act as a catalyst for redeveloping certain neighborhoods with historic
significance. It was noted that many of these neighborhood represent a good
portion of Elk River's affordable housing stock. The Commission decided to
continue this discussion at their next meeting.
8. Discuss Heritage Preservation Site Overlay Zoning District
The Commission decided to see what the scope of the Downtown redevelopment
project is before recommending establishment of a Heritage Preservation Overlay
District in the Downtown area.
9. Other Business
Commissioner Lundberg informed the group that the Elk River Rotary Club has
• discovered the location of the original bell from the Elk River School. The group
discussed their ideas of how to display this bell and asked Commissioner
• Lundberg to relay to the Rotary praise for their efforts.
10. Discuss Items to be on the March 13th Agenda.
The Commission decided to discuss the following at their March meeting: oral
interview, SHPO grant, and comprehensive planning process.
11. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting of the Elk River HPC was adjourned
at 8:35 p.m.
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