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03-06-2007 HPC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2007 Members Present: Lance Lindberg, Steve Rohlf, Jeff Gongoll, and Kurt Kragness Members Absent: Kristin Harris, Matt Christiaansen, Molly Peterson Staff Present: Rebecca Haug 1. Call Meeting to Order Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission was called to order at 5:38 p.m. 2. Consider HPC Agenda Staff requested addition of December minutes and Archaeological Dig. Chair Lindberg asked to add a discussion about potential speakers for the Downtown Redevelopment Task Force. Agenda was approved as amended. 3. Consider December 5.2006 and February 13.2007 HPC Minutes A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER KRAGNESS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GONGOLL TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER MINUTES. MOTION WAS APPROVED 3 TO 1. COMMISSIONER ROHLF ABSTAINED. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GONGOLL AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KRAGNESS TO POSTPONE APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY MINUTES UNTIL AMENDMENTS ARE MADE. MOTION CARRIED. Chair Lindberg will provide staff with changes for the February meeting. 4. Downtown Redevelopment Task Force Update Chair Lindberg informed the HPC that Terry Maurer, City Engineer, spoke about the potentials for Highway 10 through downtown. He informed the group that it could be lowered, elevated or left as is. He also discussed the possibility of closing down Main Street and directing traffic to Jackson St but there were concerns with the option because of the Railroad tracks and it would require purchasing private property. Chair Lindberg also informed the HPC that this area is not a high priority for MnDOT and traffic projections for 2028 put it a Level F service which is low. To quote Chair Lindberg "we are between a rock and a hard place due to the river on one side and the highway and railroad tracks on the other." After the presentation by the City Engineer, the task force broke up into small groups and discussed what option would be least detrimental to downtown. The majority of the groups decided that leaving it where it is would be the best option. Commissioner Gongoll asked about the possibility of elevating Main St over Highway 10. Chair Lindberg said that doing that would cause more parking issues and landing issues. Commissioner Gongoll also asked Heritage Preservation Commission Mazch G, 2007 Page 2 about the by-pass by Armstrong Blvd. Chair Lindberg said that it was not discussed but that option would probably not help the situation anyway. The second question the task force small groups discussed was whether or not North Highway 10 should be connected to the core downtown and if so, how much. The groups discussed that looking at the north and south as two separate issues. The third question the small groups had was whether or not downtown should expand to the west. Some of the participants said "yes". It was discussed that the funeral home is not the best use for getting shoppers because it doesn't get people downtown. Commissioner Rohlf asked if the goal is to convert the downtown commercial business district to residential. Commissioner Lindberg said that more housing would help support the retail. However, most felt that having businesses converted into homes is a good transition and acts well as a buffer. Commissioner Rohlf said that he feels this is a good transition and it is good to plan things through. He is concerned with the urgenry of redevelopment. Chair Lindberg said that some downtown property owners may want to redevelopment and the purpose of this plan is to determine what would be allowable and have ordinances in place to make sure that the projects fit. Commissioner Kragness wants to make sure that there are historic design standards in place. Chair Lindberg spoke with Heidi Steinmetz about having a speaker to discuss heritage preservation. Chair Lindberg spoke with Bjorn Skoquist, Mayor of Anoka and he would be willing to speak. Commissioner Kragness suggested Michael Koop from the Minnesota Historical Society since he is familiar with Elk River. Commissioner Rohlf asked if the HPC would be able to attend the meeting when the speakers attend. Chair Lindberg said yes but the HPC would not be able to make any comments. Chair Lindberg also went through the memo from Heidi Steinmetz with the proposed schedule for the task force. The task force would like to be able to have a couple of open houses. 5. Approve HPC Policies Due to the low number of commissioners present, it was decided that the policies be brought back to the next meeting for approval. 6. Schedule Next HPC Meeting and Identify Agenda Items Archaeological Dig -Staff discussed the options for the summer 2007 dig. Dr. Rothaus is concerned that there isn't enough money so we will need to request donations. However, the city is also soliciting donations for the Energy Expo so we're not sure what type of response we'll receive. IT was also discussed that the dig be held only one week-end and possibly charge. The Commissioners do not wish to charge the residents. Staff will further discuss the dig with Dr. Rothaus. Commissioner Rohlf discussed whether or not we're still going to pursue going into the river. Commissioner Gongoll and Commissioner Rohlf will speak with the Houlton's since they own the river and see if they would be willing to allow this to happen because it will Heritage Preservation Commission Mazch 6, 2007 Page 3 require a lot of money and staff will need to apply for a grant by the end of January 2008 from the state. The next regularly scheduled meeting for the Heritage Preservation Commission will be held on Wednesday, April 11~~ 2007 at 6:00 p.m. 7. Adjournment Commissioner Lindberg adjourned the meeting at 6:56 p.m.