Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 8:00 a.m.
Fargo Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting
City Commission Chambers, City Hall
Agenda
1. Approve Minutes of the June 24, 2008 Meeting
2. Storefront Rehab Projects
3. Local Landmarks Update
4. Oak Grove Survey Update
5. Schedule Oak Grove Open House
6. 2008 CLG Meeting: September 20, 2008 in Devil’s Lake
7. Other Business
8. Liaison Reports
• Planning Commission – Christine Kloubec
• Board of Adjustment – Paul Gleye
• House Moving Board – Paul Gleye
• Housing Rehab – David Shultz
• Renaissance Zone Authority – Peter Moynihan
5. Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 8:00 a.m.
MINUTES
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Historic Preservation Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the City Commission Room at City Hall at 8:00 o’clock a.m., Tuesday, September 16, 2008.
The Historic Preservation Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Andrew Nielsen, Melissa Sobolik, David Shultz, Peter Moynihan
Absent: Paul Gleye, Christine Kloubec
Chair Shultz called the meeting to order.
Item 1. Approve Minutes: Regular Meeting of June 24, 2008
(8:00 a.m.) Hearing no comments, Chair Shultz stated the minutes stand approved.
Item 2. Storefront Rehab Projects
(8:01 a.m.) Dawn Mayo presented a slide show and updated the Members on the progress of the 2008 storefront rehab projects that were approved in the spring. For the 117-119 Broadway property, Ms. Mayo spoke with the workers at the project and stated they are pulling off old facades to see what is behind them structurally. She stated they will start full time this spring to begin structural work. She added the architects will be looking at the photos to finalize their plans. Ms. Mayo continued, giving the following updates: the 115 Broadway project is in the beginning stage; the sign band is being pulled off of 113 Broadway; the 109-111 Broadway project has not begun; and at 214 Broadway glass has been removed, framing is in place for new storefront glazing, and the exterior has been painted dark grey.
Peter Moynihan questioned whether the second floor windows in 214 Broadway were going to be sash windows. He stated, as it shows in the photos, they don’t seem operable. He stated it is good, however, that they go the full length.
Chair Shultz added that at 216 Broadway prep work has begun, painting is estimated to start this week, and tuck-pointing will be done before fall.
Ms. Mayo continued with 608 Main Avenue stating the old stucco has been removed, work has been done on the canopy, second floor banding, and glazing; 610 Main Avenue found detailing underneath when they uncovered brick and the arched cornice area was still existing.
Chair Shultz asked whether there was intent to have storefront rehab funding for next year and asked at what point that decision goes before the Board.
Ms. Mayo responded the Community Development Committee (CDC) has oversight over the funding. She stated they will be meeting on Thursday, September 25, 2008 to decide how to use the Community Development Block Grant funding. She added a decision will most likely happen in the spring. She commented there is still a need for storefront rehab. Looking at the downtown building study update, she stated 37% of downtown buildings were noted to need work on the facades. For example, King House and Metro Drug would be good candidates for storefront rehab. Ms. Mayo stated it would be good to speak with the Community Development Committee to reiterate there is still a need for storefront rehab.
Chair Shultz concurred that there are still needs out there and mentioned to address the need in an official way and show the progress, such as in the photos, to the CDC.
Dave Anderson, CDC Member, stated he will pass this request and information on to the CDC.
Item 3. Local Landmarks Update
Ms. Mayo distributed handouts regarding the local landmarks update. She stated the local landmarks initiative subcommittee met last week to fine tune the local landmark designation forms created. She stated one page contains the criteria, another shows a listing of good candidates for a landmark designation, and the last page is the nomination form. She clarified local landmarks could be buildings and structures, monuments and statues, landscape features, century trees, and/or infrastructure that add to our quality of life. She stated the owner or an interested party can submit a nomination. The Historic Preservation Commission would review the nomination, and if approved, would award a certificate signed by the Mayor. A web page would be created for the Local Landmark Listing.
Melissa Sobolik questioned whether applications could be ongoing any time during the year.
Ms. Mayo answered nominations will be taken at any time, and stated there is no deadline, as long as the criteria have been met. She mentioned that the landmark nominations are meant to honor things that contribute to and are a valuable part of the community. She stated there are no regulatory oversights attached to this.
Chair Shultz stated there are no catches, no requirements, and it’s nice to know the landmarks will be given more public awareness, which can help to preserve them.
Ms. Mayo stated the Commission could make a motion to approve the criteria and the nomination process. She continued, saying that she could put together a slide show of items worthy of recognition and could present that later to the City Commission to get their backing. She stated recognizing landmarks is a power of the Historic Preservation Commission but feels it would be good to have the City Commission involved. She said it would show the City Commission some of the projects the Historic Preservation Commission is doing.
Mr. Moynihan moved to accept the criteria and nomination form. Second by Andrew Nielsen. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4. Oak Grove Survey Update
Ms. Mayo stated Steve Martins from NDSU is working on the Oak Grove survey. She said he has taken photos of all the properties, completed the first 15 site files, set-up folders and digital files, and gathered information from regional studies. She stated his goal is to gather research by this fall, work on the draft this winter, and present by spring.
Ms. Mayo stated there will be an open house in the Oak Grove neighborhood to show residents the materials and maps, and explain what the Commission is doing. She said she is hoping one or two Members might be able to be present for the open house and is hoping to start setting-up potential dates for sometime in October.
Item 5. 2008 CLG Meeting – September 20, 2008 in Devil’s Lake
Ms. Mayo stated she will be attending the Certified Local Government meeting and will report back. She says it is an opportunity to see firsthand what other communities are doing with their projects.
Item 6. Other Business
Chair Shultz requested to change the standard meeting time for this Commission to the second Thursday at 8:00 o’clock a.m. beginning in October.
Andrew Nielsen moved to change the HPC regular meeting to the 2nd Thursday of each month at 8:00 o’clock a.m. Second by Mr. Moynihan. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 7. Liaison Reports
Chair Shultz mentioned the subcommittee is doing neighborhood reviews and looking at overall patterns of architecture and will meet in the next couple weeks.
Item 8. Next Meeting
Due to the change in the regular meeting schedule, the next meeting will be October 9, 2008 at 8:00 a.m.
The time at adjournment was 8:34 a.m.
