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04-03-2007 HPC MIN • MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL Tuesday,April 3, 2007 Members Present: Chair Lance Lindberg,Kristin Harris, Matt Christiaansen,Moll y Nadeau- Peterson and Steve Rohlf,Councilman Larry Farber Members Absent: Jeff Gongoll and Kurt Kragness Staff Present: Rebecca Haug and Nicki Blake-Bradley 1. Call Meeting to Order Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission was:11.eC i order 39 p.m. 2. Consider April 3.2007 HPC Agenda ' 1f< N Commissioner Nadeau-Peterson questioned ® •er the priorities item incl e...'the policy recommendations.Rebecca stated that it did. sioner'Nadeau-Peterson requested the addition of two items. She would like to speak abo '. 'National Preservation Conference and Preservation Leadership Training. f, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER r t HLF,AND SECONDS°BY COMMISSIONER HARRIS TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS f NDED..ALL IN FAVOR.MOTION • CARRIED. 3. Consider Marc V MiMinutes MOTION B MMISS ER HARRIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CHRISTIAAN` :.,PTO 'OVE THE CH MEETING MINUTES AS WRITTEN ALL �AV, ', QTION ARRIED. 4. owntown Redevelopment V*1(Force Update • '" Lindberg up the HPC regarding the upcoming Task Force meeting.He stated th ! chael Koop and) onnie McDonald would be speaking for Historic Preservation.He will a be presenting^te HPC priorities/policy recommendations at this meeting. Counts ; ber guested an update to"bring him up to speed"regarding the Policy Recommends. hair Lindberg went through the titles and guidelines of the policy recommendations to be presented to the Task Force. Councilman Farber commented on the downtown area,stating that it is his expectation that the area from the Bluff block to the park will be gone. Commissioner Rohlf questioned the economic benefits of the current downtown projects if taxpayers end up paying for a parking ramp. Further,he felt having the current parking lot tied up during construction of a ramp would have adverse affects on existing businesses. • Commissioner Rohlf concluded by stating that the height of the Bluff Block and monotific design of Jackson Place are out of proportion and character with the rest of downtown. Buildings are a part of historic character in their design,look,etc. and there is less of a visual Heritage Preservation Commission Page 2 April 3,2007 • tie-in now with the newest construction.Discussion followed regarding the height of the buildings being constructed. Councilman Farber commented on his opinion that the Bluff Block is "high quality"but that Jackson Place is less so due to wood construction. Commissioner Rohlf stated that the land under Jackson Place was donated to the City of Elk River in the 1800's for open space (forever).He mentioned a loophole that the City used to approve the project. Councilman Farber stated that the Council and Mayor speak of three more buildings"going next".Commissioner Rohlf commented that the projects weren't market driven because he doesn't feel that they would have happened without city incentives,, Councilman Farber stated that he liked downtown,but unfortunately there were some bad facades put on in the 1980's.He asked a question"where" draw the line".The Sunshine Depot was discussed. Chair Lindberg commented that the Task Force}/s• orce s,,to decide what is d downtown and referenced the Maxfield study.He discussed the developers that spoke tot,„Task Force and added that he called Dunbar(one of the contraicrors) aftet‘he meeting. Chair�dberg m stated that Dunbar felt the old buildings shouldt maintained,on the Bluff Block.He added that Dunbar stated he had never seen a community rte ,wanted to tear down their old buildings. r Councilman Farber questioned wh'_® as a matter of �,-.. o.mmissioner Rohlf stated that the City found money to d � buildings. ssioner Nadeau- tY Y "��� $ Co�', • Peterson stated that there are grants to help rehabilitate old buildings. Councilman Farber .. s r. t he feels downtown has ”"=en studied to death.He added that money would ave to be . _ into the buildings in order to keep them. Rebecca discussed ., ric , R. is and design guidelines. vfik Cass . A•hlf e emphasis be given for reuse and rehabilitation of buildings. w added that� e are generally against the projects.Commissioners Harris and Lindberg reed. Rebecca Rebeiktvdescribed ho khe policy recommendations were developed for Councilman Farber. •5. Review H136-• et %/Policy Recommendations Chair LindbergF uestioned whether there were any comments or questions on the policy recommendations.A question was raised on the first page as to who is going to conduct the economic development feasibility study and whether the HPC can be involved. Commissioner Nadeau-Peterson questioned whether the grants could be referenced. Rebecca answered the first question by stating that she expects the City would conduct the study.Commissioner Christiaansen stated that it should be an independent contractor as an un-affiliated third party. • Heritage Preservation Commission Page 3 April 3,2007 • Councilman Farber stated that if the City Council doesn't have a say,it could create a wedge. Discussion followed regarding un-affiliated neutral parties.Discussion turned to design guidelines and ordinances next. Commissioner Rohlf requested the addition of individual landmarks to objectives number one. Councilman Farber discussed the downtown neighborhoods and splitting lots to build another house,etc.He stated that he does not like the new mixed in with the old.He added that the city council doesn't want the modern missed with the historic regarding commercial and asked if the HPC was working toward the residential areas also. Commissioner Rohlf stated that the ordinance currently addresses,commercial properties. He discussed standards for downtown.Chair Lindberg discusse®1 4A. omprehensive Plan with regard to historic integrity. Commissioner Rohlf added that an or:* ance would need to be developed for residential neighborhoods. Councilman Farber commented that the HRA(Housingand Redev ®ment Authority)is looking at Jackson Avenue as commercial all the but they may-4' ay tart until Sixth Street. Commissioner Rohlf stated that there has to 1:4'.4114.6,,historic �.ct to apply standards to. Councilman Farber stated that he would like to see :er homes stay.Discussion followed regarding an ordinance for residential areas?Is Commissioner Christiaansen suggested t the City Coun ,',.t,,14,0,clictate the ordinance. Councilman Farber stated that the City C . giants to hear` ommendations from the • HPC. Commissioner Nadeau-Petersotnreco I r , at it be a future agenda item. fi � Commissioner Role suggested that the «"`' could do a anket ordinance that new buildings "must fit the character of existing neighborhood".He added that staff could work on the ordinance if it r+ *ved guidance from the C�Council. Rebec it. • ssed that} takes invol,+emnt e €rom the neighborhoods to make it a success. c oven tl h the City of St. Cloud's experiences. Councilman Farber stated d the character the`mss made by the homes around it... and added that the city has a lot of funds the restoration of the Pit. Distlit; on returned to lot split conundrum.The city cannot"condition"the design of a house. ` Commission`` Nadeau-Peterson made a motion to add the historic neighborhoods to the next agenda. Ccilman Farber stated that he will discuss this at the next workshop session for the City Council.He added that the lot split issue was extended to give the HPC and HRA time to comment.The HPC(and staff) had heard nothing of this situation.Discussion turned to Jackson Avenue and the home turn over there. A comment was made that Maple Grove is creating what Elk River already has. Rebecca discussed putting together a power point presentation for Chair Lindberg's presentation.She will work on one for him. • MOTION BY COMMISSIONER NADEAU-PETERSON AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CHRISTIAANSEN TO ADOPT THE POLICY Heritage Preservation Commission Page 4 April 3,2007 • RECOMMENDATIONS WITH MINOR CHANGES AS DISCUSSED.ALL IN FAVOR.MOTION CARRIED. 6. Archaeological Dig Dr.Rothaus has chosen the weekends of June 28—30th and July 5—7th.Rebecca stated that the July weekend would not work(too many people gone for the fourth of July).Discussion followed that the month may need to be changed.Rebecca informed the commission that Dr.Rothaus wants to do some in depth studies (i.e.ground penetrating radar) so the costs are higher than before. The City has given$10,000 to go forward with the dig and SCSU will match again.The weekends listed were best for Rothaus and Joe McFarland.Discussion followed that residents may need to be charged to participate. Food costs were discussed and more money could be requested from the City Council. Dr.Dr4c4tiAlaus is checking with Joe about what weekends work best. Only offering the dig fy ne weekend was also discussed.A comment was made that this is the only no .' ' driven archaeological dig being conducted right now. 7. Other Commissioner Nadeau-Peterson discussed that.the National Preservation Conference is going to be held in the Twin Cities this year Imo October -6.Scholarships re=available through MHS (MN Historical Society) and the Council pays or two people to attend.If interested in attending,please let Rebecca know. Commissioner Nadeau-Peterson a sed the Preservation Leadership Training being held in Owatonna from June 23—30.She commented that perhaps chair Lindberg would like to go.Commissioner Rohlf questioned whethfi Vp, ,conomic Development staff might go. Coucilman Farber expressed his opinion that '3`..`K,*oner.Rohlfls suggestion was a great idea. A comment w made thatth the Natio Conference coming to MN,a statewide event will likely be"held aa one clad"only event.It rmost likely happen in June.More n� information will b6forthc.w .* as it is received.' 8. Sch e C men# :: and Identify Items The next re. hed eeting for the Heritage Preservation Commission will be held ,,u%.A. Tuesday,May.y h at 5: items to be discussed include the minutes, town Redevelopment.-1",; Force Update,Planning Commission items (if there are an Archaeological Dig,and ordinance discussion if the Council directs the HPC to do so. i r �f 9. Adjournme j` Commissioner` dberg adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m. •