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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-02-03City of Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 3, 2005 Page 1 of 4 Meridian Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Meridian City Hall – Mayor’s Conference Room February 3, 2005 Minutes The regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Meridian Historic Preservation Commission was called to order at 5:30 P.M., Thursday, February 3, 2005 by Chairman Walter Lindgren. Members Present: Walter Lindgren, Frank Thomason, Tom Hammond, Carol Harms, Steve Turney Others Present: Brad Hawkins-Clark (staff), Ann Swanson (SHPO) Item 1: Roll-Call Attendance: Roll-call: __X _ Walter Lindgren – Chair __X__ Frank Thomason __X__ Tom Hammond – Vice Chair __X__ Carol Harms __X__ Steve Turney Item 2: Update on Emily Peeso Contract for National Register Nominations: Walter noted that Emily Peeso (consultant) met with Lila Hill and has a meeting next week with the Grappatons (owners) regarding background information on the N. Main Street structure. Item 3: Discussion of Short Term Goals and Priorities for 2005: Ann Swanson of the State Historic Preservation Off ice (SHPO) was present to answer questions and help the Commission brainstorm on the FY05 short term goals, especially as it pertains to spending the City of Meridian’s CLG funding. The following points were discussed: Creating an Electronic Database of the Historical Survey  Ann noted it’s important to have a GIS system in place and to verify the City’s existing system compatibilities with available data. She estimated that the task to input Meridian’s paper survey information would probably cost several thousand dollars.  SHPO’s d-base application software is MS Access 2000. It would be helpful to be compatible with that software so data can be exchanged with them in the future.  If the Commission decides to focus on this action, the two primary next ste ps would be to assess the City’s hardware and software and to determine what data should be input – which can be broken down into “bite size” stages. City of Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 3, 2005 Page 2 of 4  Ann suggested that the Commission approach Emily about her willingness and/or availability to build the database and how this task would be balanced with updating the survey. Updating the Reconnaissance Survey  Ann said Meridian’s existing survey is 17 years old. It provides an excellent baseline but should be updated. These surveys are “living documents” that will always be updated.  Walter asked for Ann’s suggestions on how HPC should set -up and fund the survey work. She noted that SHPO’s $3,000 for FY05 must be matched and that all of the match could be in-kind (including staff or commissioner time). At the end of the year, SHPO needs receipts that total $6,000 worth of services/projects. They reimburse the City on a per invoice basis. At this point, Walter made a motion to approve the release of up to $2,000 to Emily Peeso for reconnaissance survey work and to defer the database work for now. Digital photos would be required as part of the survey. Discussion followed:  Both Frank and Steve clarified that we want to hold some funds back and not commit all of the HPC’s budget this early in the year.  Further discussion took place about the database and whether or not we should set that up first. Ann noted some examples of how a database could benefit the City, including easy access for planning studies, development reports and creating brochures.  Brad said he could verify with the City’s IT Department on the current system and if the d-base can be created with existing hardware and software.  Walt asked Ann if the database was a good priority for HPC. She said it’s a small but important project and you need to start somewhere, even if you don’t complete the entire project in one year. She said it’s important to let HPC’s goals and projects drive the funding – not vice versa.  Walter stated that he would ask Emily to attend the March meeting to: a) provide an update on the National Register application process, and b) discuss updating the reconnaissance survey and how much she would charge  To provide more clarity on the budget process, Ann wrote the following funding sources and amounts on the board for discussion: Federal / SHPO Revenue $ 3,000 City of Meridian Revenue $ 7,000 Total FY05 Revenue $10,000 Emily Peeso Contract ($ 4,200) City of Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 3, 2005 Page 3 of 4 Balance of Available FY05 Funds $5,800 HPC Contingency Funds ($1,800) Need to Spend by 10/01/05 $4,000  With the motion still on the floor, Frank summarized that it seems the survey is the priority project.  Steve asked if HPC should review the entire short term and long term goal priority list to make sure we’re choosing the highest priority project. He recommended HPC consider an activity for May, which is Historic Awareness Month. Walter amended and clarified his motion as follows: - defer the prioritization process to another meeting; - request the SHPO office assist the City in creating a contract to update the reconnaissance survey; - prepare an RFP for a survey based on the boundaries of the Urban Renewal District; and - set aside $2,500 for the survey contract. Steve seconded the motion. All ayes the motion carried. Item 4: Review of Old Town Development Applications: Robert Monson Conditional Use Permit / CUP 05-001 HPC reviewed an application to convert the existing residence at the southwest corner of Meridian Road and Pine Avenue to a retail / office use with a new driveway on the south side of the building. No alterations are proposed to the exterior. The commission noted that it was a solid structure and recommended giving the owner information about tax credits available through the National Register of Historic Places program . No other comments. Buich 3-Story Building / CUP 05-005 HPC reviewed an application to demolish the existing Shell gas station building at the southwest corner of Main Street and Broadway Avenue to construct a new 3 -story, mixed-use building that would have retail on the first floor, office on the second and residential units on the third. The commission generally supported that application but had the following comments: - the multi-pane window design of the third floor is too busy and the “colonial suburbia” look does not match Old Town’s character. - there is too much difference between the first and third floor designs and recommend the architect try to blend these designs on the Main Street elevation. City of Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 3, 2005 Page 4 of 4 - since this is the first new, mixed-use building in Old Town, the commission believes the City should pay special attention to design details. Item 5: Update on Western Heritage Historic Byway Plan: This item was tabled to March 3, 2005 meeting. Reminder of the next regular scheduled meeting is Thursday, April 7, 2005. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. (Tape on file of these proceedings.) Approved: / / Walter Lindgren – Chairman Date of Approval Attested: William G. Berg, Jr. – City Clerk