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02-13-2007 HPC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL Tuesday, February 13, 2007 Members Present: Chair Lance Lindberg, Kristin Harris, Jeff Gongoll, Kurt Kragness, Matt Christiaansen Members Absent: Molly Nadeau-Peterson and Steve Rohlf Staff Present: Rebecca Haug and Nicki Blake-Bradley Others Present: Stewart Wilson, HRA 1. Call Meeting to Order Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission was called to order at 5:33 p.m. Rebecca handed out information from the MN Preservation Conference in Duluth, MN 9/15/05 titled "Emerging Issues in the Values of Preservation" 2. Consider February 13.2007 HPC A eg nda Commissioner Kragness requested the addition of an item to Other... a meeting with Don Heinzman (sp?) and Bill Maertz concerning a historic room at the Activity Center (old library). MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GONGOLL AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CHRISTIAANSEN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. 3. Consider December 12, 2006 and Tanuary 10,, 2007 HPC Minutes Commissioner Kragness expressed concern over changes to the minutes from the December 12~ meeting. He requested the initial minutes, or Nicki's notes from the meeting. A comment was made that the minutes should be read carefully. Nicki stated that she can "track changes" in the original document rather than making copies of the notes. The commission requested that the tracked changes document be sent to them prior to the next meeting. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GONGOLL AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KRAGNESS TO APPROVE THE JANUARY MEETING MINUTES AND RETURN THE DECEMBER MINUTES TO STAFF TO BE BROUGHT TO THE NEXT MEETING AS DISCUSSED. MOTION CARRIED. 4. Planning Commission Update Rebecca referred to the memo included with the packet regarding the difficulty in preparing Planning Commission items for the HPC meetings. She asked for guidance from the commission on what they would like to do going forward. The Planning Commission meeting this evening had nothing of concern for the HPC. Commissioner Kragness questioned what works best. Commissioner Gongoll clarified the options. Rebecca commented that her having the authority to put the "automatic" comment on projects and notifying the commission would probably work best. Heritage Preservation Commission Febniary 13, 2007 Page 2 Discussion followed regarding the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Commissioner Kragness commented that he feels the HPC can authorize Rebecca to put in comments for the HPC. He is okay with that. General agreement was understood from the commissioners present. 5. Downtown Redevelopment Task Force Update Chair Lindberg discussed the draft minutes of the Task Force meeting. He stated that he had not been able to obtain them unti14:45 p.m. so he had just made copies. He summarized the meeting and stated that two speakers were heard, Frank Dunbar and Mark Moorhouse. Most members of the task force felt it was an interesting meeting with several stating it was the best so far. Chair Lindberg read the comment bullet points of each of the speakers. For example, Dunbar stated that the focus should be on the downtown, south of the railroad tracks. The north side of the tracks should be reserved for businesses thatwill/would support retail on the south side. Moorhouse had commented that any project that relied upon getting purchase agreements from numerous home owners to be able to do large re-development projects has been "a nightmare" in his opinion. Another comment was that he (Moorhouse) hasn't been involved in any projects where the community didn't try to retain older downtown buildings. He added that it's important to the overall character of the downtown area and for historicity (Chair Lindberg defined this). Chair Lindberg commented that "they" are looking for finances from sales of apartments, but will be happy if they break even. Chair Lindberg added that the downtown area will probably be geared toward elderly rather than young families. Items discussed included the focus on the funeral home and dental office. A comment was made about there being so much retail downtown. Chair Lindberg read over the small group discussion items/findings. He added that Heidi had not gotten the synopsis of comments that were made on the board written up yet. Chair Lindberg asked Stewart Wilson to comment. Mr. Wilson clarified several items. First, he commented that discussion was on the Riverview apartments, not on the nursing home (guardian angels). Next, he commented that a parking ramp might be a mistake due to logistics of getting in and out. He finished by stating that Moorhouse had worked on (and owned) developments with restaurants which didn't go well. Discussion concerning this was that restaurants may be "wish list" items that may never work. A point was made concerning keeping or maintaining integrity of neighborhoods to complement downtown. Discussion followed regarding incremental change. Commissioner Christiaansen questioned whether there was any discussion regarding design standards. Chair Lindberg stated that no one asked. Mr. Wilson commented that Dominium (Moorhouse's company) owns and operates apartment buildings in Elk River. Commissioner Kragness questioned how the speakers prepared themselves for the meeting. How did they learn about the project? Was it through staff meetings? Chair Lindberg Heritage Preservation Commission February 13, 2007 Page 3 commented that he was not sure, but the gentlemen seemed well versed and very credible. Their purpose was to give a market perspective. Rebecca added that next month, Terry Maurer will be speaking regarding the highway situation(s). Chair Lindberg also added some discussion of the Maxfield study. Commissioner Kragness commented that if the purpose of the speakers is to inform the Task Force, then he wondered if historic preservationist(s) would be speaking as well. A comment was made that someone in Historic Preservation had been contacted and they wanted $1,800 to speak. Commissioner Kragness asked if the marketers were speaking pro Bono. If not, then the task force would be justified in paying a historic preservationist to speak. He added that Michael Koop from the SHPO might be willing to come to speak for free. Rebecca commented that the task force may have schedules set already. Chair Lindberg added that it may be flexible and noted that it has been discussed by task force (members?) that this process may take longer than initially anticipated. Mr. Wilson added that the staff or facilitator may be in charge of the speakers. Chair Lindberg stated that he will ask about this. Commissioner Kragness questioned what the next step is then. The response was discussion of Hwy 10. 6. Review HPC Priorities Rebecca informed the commission that she reworded a few areas as a result of the special meeting, although there were very few actual changes discussed at the special meeting. She added that she received a list from the SHPO regarding historic buildings in Elk River. Most of them are akeady gone. Commissioner Gongoll questioned what the time line is for this. Chair Lindberg stated that the general impression was that it was needed by the February meeting, but he isn't really sure at what point it will be discussed or addressed. A question was posed as to how the Task Force works... a plan is formulated and the HPC comments? Chair Lindberg stated that he is not sure about the process and may need to talk with Heidi and Stacy (facilitator) for clarification. Once a plan is developed, the plan can be commented upon. Commissioner Kragness expressed his opinion that this (polity recommendations) should be considered on the "front end" because the main question is where are the plans being developed from... the meetings? If so, the task force should have this tool in hand when beginning the process rather than after decisions have been made and minds set on one outcome. The polity recommendations should be presented/submitted as soon as possible. Chair Lindberg commented that there are two phases to the project. First there is an information gathering phase and then the workshop sessions begin. Commissioner Christiaansen commented that the polity recommendations fit into the information gathering phase. Chair Lindberg stated that he may need to specifically address this with Task Force staff (Heidi and Stary). Commissioner Kragness commented that Chair Lindberg is the representative for the HPC so he is comfortable with him contacting the Task Force staff. Chair Lindberg stated that he will talk with them and it can be discussed at the next meeting. Heritage Preservation Commission Page 4 February 13, 2007 ------------------------------------- Commissioner Gongoll questioned when the next task force meeting is scheduled. It is set for March 1St. Commissioner Christiaansen proposed bringing changes to the policy recommendation to the next meeting. Rebecca had received comments from him and has incorporated them into the document. Commissioner Gongoll recommended putting it on the agenda for approval. Chair Lindberg asked Mr. Wilson to comment as to whether he had misinformed the commission or if there were any other changes, etc. Mr. Wilson stated that he would have to look in the book. He added that it was the intention of the task force to have each commission represented so that no one was left out. They want a workable document at the end of the process. Mr. Wilson stated his opinion that the HPC has pertinent comments to bring to the Task Force. Comments and suggestions are welcome. A final question was raised as to whether feedback will be obtained during the workshop phase and when the opportunity to give input is available. No answer was given. 6. Other Elk River Historic Room Commissioner Kragness attended a meeting with Don Heinzman (sp?) and Bill Maertz concerning the potential for adding an Elk River Historic Room to the library/activity center (or other options) once the new library is built and relocated. Don feels it's important to focus on Elk River's history and wants to do something. It's important to know that this building will not be just for seniors. Commissioner Kragness added that the Historical Society is "on board" and perhaps the HPC can have a role in this. He added that Mr. Maertz may have a larger group meeting and asked if anyone is interested in participating. The new library is scheduled to open in January '08, but they are discussing what options are right now. Chair Lindberg commented that perhaps an e-mail message could be sent out by staff when more information is available. Commissioner Gongoll questioned whether artifacts from the historical center would be put on display. Commissioner Kragness stated no, but duplicated pictures could be used... things of that sort. He added that exhibits are very labor intensive. A comment was made that perhaps people could listen to oral histories there. Nicki reminded commissioners who have volunteered to do interviews that they need to be done within the next month or so to meet (soft) deadlines. Historic Preservation Documents Commissioner Kragness commented that he has been gathering LOTS of documents on historic preservation and offered them to everyone. Digital Video Recorder Chair Lindberg commented that he has a digital video recorder that could be used for some of the oral history interviews if anyone is interested. He is willing to loan it out for the project. Discussion turned to the poor recording quality of the new recorder. The Heritage Preservation Commission February 13, 2007 Page 5 recommendation was to remove the microphone and record without it once to see if the microphone is the problem. Annual Report Rebecca informed the commission that Chair Lindberg did a spot for the HPC on the annual report for the city. She stated that he did wonderfully. It was filmed at Hoebelheinrich's. 8. Schedule next HPC meeting and Identify Agenda Items The next regularly scheduled meeting for the Heritage Preservation Commission will be held on Tuesday, March 6th at 5:30 p.m. due to Rebecca being gone on the 14~ and Commissioner Gongoll gone on the 15~. The items to be discussed include the minutes, Downtown Redevelopment Task Force Update, Planning Commission items (if there are any), polity recommendations and possibly the Archaeological Dig (we need to start thinking about dates). 9. Adjournment Commissioner Lindberg adjourned the meeting at 6:37 p.m.