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4.1. HPC DRAFT MINUTES 09-16-2021Meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission Elk River City Hall Thursday, July 15, 2021 Members Present: Chair Lance Lindberg, Commissioners Zachary Griffiths, Tony Mauren, and Michele Cole Members Absent: Commissioners Joshua Fox, Mike Hangaard, and Debra Mortensen Others Present: Planning Manager Zack Carlton and Councilmember Garrett Christianson 1. Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:25 p.m. by Chair Lindberg. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Consider July 15, 2021, Agenda Chair Lindberg requested to add item 5.4. Draft Comprehensive Plan. Moved by Commissioner Mauren and seconded by Commissioner Cole to approve the July 15, 2021, agenda. Motion carried 4-0. 4. Minutes of May 20, 2021, Heritage Preservation Commission meeting Moved by Commissioner Griffiths and seconded by Commissioner Mauren to approve the May 20, 2021, meeting minutes. Motion carried 4-0. 5.1 Elk River Documentary Commissioner Griffiths presented the final script for the commission to review and requested they email him any changes. He stated it takes him approximately 15-16 minutes to read and felt like the entire documentary could be around 20-30 minutes. He will be working with cable TV staff to begin filming footage in the next few weeks and will be collecting photos from sources like the Sherburne History Center Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall July 15, 2021 to add to the video story. He stated eventually they’ll have to determine how to site sources. He explained he’s working on storyboarding the storyline, which will determine how many volunteer commissioners needed to speak or on-camera interviews. He discussed how he’ll portray the storylines throughout the film and was asking for the commission’s feedback. Commissioner Mauren explained how he obtained photos from the Sherburne History Center. Mr. Carlton requested to get cost information and approval from him before purchasing any photos. 5.2 David Faribault Trading Post Commissioner Mauren stated he has done extensive research on this topic but wasn’t able to specifically locate the exact site of the David Faribault trading post. He stated he spoke to Theresa Slominski, the GM of ERMU, who was open to the possibility of placing some sort of marker on the property of their new field house building. Ron Wilkes presented a 1857 plat map of Orono and would forward a copy onto Commissioner Mauren. Commissioner Mauren stated the earliest map he located was a Sanborn fire insurance map dated 1899. Chair Lindberg discussed his research of the location and based on his findings felt the location proposed was fairly accurate. The commission discussed the plaque wording could state the trading post was located “near this location” if they so choose to. They also discussed the potential location on the ERMU field house property. Mr. Wilkes stated he did some preliminary research on obtaining a sculptor and reached out to Chad Fisher of Fisher Sculpture from Pennsylvania. Chad stated he would be interested in this project with an estimated cost around $100,000 and would require we provide the pedestal. After some discussion, it was determined further research and decisions needed to be made to continue this discussion at future meetings and a plaque might be a better budget option. Commissioner Mauren discussed installing a hitching post along downtown Main Street. 5.3 Additional Projects and Updates Commissioner Mauren updated the commission on the status of his article on the history of aviation in Elk River. He explained he found a great photo of the lead aviator of Elk River Aircraft Company and needs to obtain photo permission from the Chicago Historical Society. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall July 15, 2021 5.4 Draft Comprehensive Plan Mr. Carlton presented the draft land use plan. Chair Lindberg had some comments regarding expansion of an area to be considered as downtown neighborhoods. He explained some history about the area on Morton Street sometimes known as the Horseshoe and noting some notable historical families lived in the neighborhood. He stated at one point they were considering designating the neighborhood as historical but that would require specific architectural standards along with the support of the neighborhood. He stated he does not want this neighborhood to be included in a commercial district, stating it will affect the integrity of the neighborhood. He prefers the preservation of the neighborhood as is and requested discussion at the Planning Commission and City Council levels. Mr. Carlton explained the discussion at the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee regarding the expansion of the downtown district and where to draw those boundaries with consideration of the constraints of Highway 10 and the railroad tracks. He stated the proposed expansion west of downtown doesn’t mean adding additional buildings like Jackson Avenue and Granite Shores but instead supported the growth of the downtown character. He stated not everything would be zoned commercial nor would they tear down what’s currently there. He stated the uses and boundaries in the downtown would then be reviewed and rewritten. Any changes would be up to the property owner and the city wouldn’t generate these changes. He stated this proposed change wouldn’t happen overnight. He stated what it would do is allow property owners additional opportunities to their parcels. Chair Lindberg stated he would prefer more boundaries be in place to protect the integrity of the Morton residential neighborhood. Mr. Carlton stated there would be a public comment period and review by both Planning Commission and City Council. 6. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Lindberg adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission at 7:25 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green. Tina Allard City Clerk Lance Lindberg Heritage Preservation Commission Chair