03-20-2025 HPC MINMembers Present:
Members Absent:
Council Liaison Absent:
Meeting of the Elk River
Heritage Preservation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Chair Lance Lindberg, Commissioners Linda Campbell, Jayne Dietz, Zachary
Griffiths, and Gavin Tuckey
None
Councilmember J. Brian Calva
Staff Present: Community Development Director Zack Carlton
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission
was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Lindberg.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Lindberg led the commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Consider Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Griffiths and seconded by Commissioner Dietz to approve the March 20,
2025, Heritage Preservation Commission agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consider Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Campbell and seconded by Commissioner Griffiths to approve the
January 16, 2025, Heritage Preservation Commission minutes.
Motion carried 5-0.
5.1 Historic Interpretive Site (Water Tower Park)
Mr. Carlton stated the Request for Proposals (RFP) document is being prepared and asked the members of
the HPC for their input in finalizing the Project Overview and Scope of Services portions of the RFP. The
commissioners discussed and provided input. Mr. Carlton asked them to consider what content and
historical elements they could consider for the site. When the consultant is hired, he will invite them to the
next available meeting to formulate the member's thoughts and ideas as well as the vision of the site.
5.2 Downtown Small Area Plan 2024
Chair Lindberg provided an update and timeline for the downtown small area plan and while plans may
propose new construction, he reminded the commission that the historic components of the downtown
area will remain, keeping the original downtown buildings. He stated this 20-year plan will be presented at a
Heritage Preservation Commission Minutes
March 20, 2025
Page 2
future open house in April and will outline all the varying options for the public to consider and provide
feedback.
Mr. Carlton stated the plan does propose redevelopment of the church building, and he has spoken to the
pastor at the church. He explained to the pastor that the city is not proposing to purchase any building at
this time but rather, should the church decide to change locations in the future, the city would consider
redevelopment at that time. The King Avenue parking lot would probably be an area that would see some
changes in the nearer future. He stated the goals would be to create an area to bring people in and
encourage them to stay for longer time periods. The major area of redevelopment would take place on
Railroad Drive and plan incorporates a few different design plans. The last component of the plan to
envision a link over Highway 10 to tie the areas on either side is the grade separated bridge or a tunnel.
The commissioners asked further questions regarding some of the proposed redevelopment.
5.3 Other Business
Mr. Carlton asked if the commissioners would be interested in attending a Thursday Farmers Market event
to promote the HPC. Suggestions would be to do Plinko trivia, explain the future water tower park project,
and other relevant ideas. The commission landed on July 31 as the date to attend the Farmers Market and
Mr. Carlton will confirm the date with Parks and Recreation staff.
Mr. Carlton asked about advertising a walking tour during the summer months. Chair Lindberg stated it was
best to have smaller groups and they seem to work better as it invites better conversations. Mr. Carlton will
work with Chair Lindberg setting up some walking tour dates.
The Preserve Minnesota Annual Conference is scheduled for September 10-12 in New Ulm. Commissioners
Campbell, Griffiths, and Tuckey expressed interest in attending.
Mr. Carlton updated the commission members with details about the proposed Capstone housing
development on the Specht Farm, a 500+ residential housing development.
Commissioner Dietz suggested the downtown hitching posts be installed at the water tower park.
The HPC discussed the population records on Wikipedia.
Chair Lindberg left the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
6. Adjournment
Moved by Commissioner Campbell and seconded by Commissioner Dietz to adjourn the meeting
of the Heritage Preservation Commission.
Motion carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
I
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Heritage Preservation Commission Minutes
March 20, 2025
Page 3
Minutes prVpared by Jennifer
ce 1. fia berz, Chair
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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