HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-02Meridian Historic Preservation Commission
March 2, 2006
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City of Meridian
Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
Meridian City Hall – Mayors Conference Room
March 2, 2006 Minutes
1. Roll-call Attendance:
X Walter Lindgren – Chair X Frank Thomason
O Tom Hammond – Vice Chair O Carol Harms
O Steve Turney
X staff – Will Berg
Lindgren: Today’s date is Thursday, March 2, 2006, 5:30, regularly meeting for the
City of Meridian Historic Preservation Commission. We currently do not have a
quorum, but we are going to hear a presentation from Steve Malone f rom the Ada
County Historic Preservation Council and Curt James from the same commission,
the Chairman, I am sorry. So, this is not a public hearing, but being recorded, I
guess more for reference and as a resource. Gentlemen, I appreciate you guys
taking the time to come see us. We will make this productive one way or another.
2. Adoption of Agenda:
Thomason: I move we adopt the agenda as presented.
Hammond: Second.
Lindgren: Call the question. All those in favor.
THREE AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Approval of February 2, 2006 Meeting Minutes:
4. Preservation Plan for Ada County by Steve Malone of Ada County Historic
Preservation Council:
Malone: I think a year ago, the Ada County Preservation Council sponsored and put
together (inaudible---). W as there anyone there from Meridian?
Lindgren: I don’t think so.
Malone: The way it turned out there was a big enough crowd (inaudible ---) two
hours (inaudible----). So, anyway the purpose of getting together anyways is mainly
is just to get to know who is doing what (inaudible) ties into the purpose (inaudible) is
how you compliment our efforts. I have got copies of the draft right here and it is a
very, very early draft (inaudible----). We are still trying to figure out exactly – we are
kind of following some guidelines that are put out (inaudible ------). So, a big part of
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what we are doing is the county is doing all kinds of historic surveys for the last 16 or
17 years and I guess I will back up just a little bit. I have been with the county for
about a year and one half, a week after I showed up they said Steve, how would you
like to be the guy that stands for the preservation? (Inaudible ---). We are going fish
out of water (inaudible----).
Lindgren: Can you just give a broad – what purpose does the preservation have?
Malone: We are just trying to develop a work plan. The past year and one half we
have had some (inaudible) with previous Council. About two years ago they were
kind of a full (inaudible). Craig Slocum (inaudible ----). (Inaudible-------) and Sherry
Oliver who is (inaudible). She was the only (inaudible----). So, again, the Council
did just a complete turnover and going to keep crashing (inaudible ----) the history of
the old Ada County Courthouse that has been going on for a bout two years
(inaudible----).
Lindgren: This is all prior to the whole legislation (inaudible----).
Malone: Well, yeah, so basically one of the very first things that I was handed was
the courthouse (inaudible) together (inaudible) and looking a way to help us out.
(Inaudible----). We got it published last year and that has been a big focus of our
(inaudible) is getting – we have an annual county (inaudible---) program (inaudible)
and the whole idea of the preservation (inaudible---).
Lindgren: Are these activities that are really looking out for the public? I mean is
that kind of what – I know that is the focus is to really make sure that the lay person
really sees these things and really understands why we are doing this or what we
are doing it? I find that being a challenge, though.
Malone: Yeah, I mean that is tough, we got our first County Treasurer seat
(inaudible---). So, we are (inaudible) and we are starting to understand how to get
the word out.
Lindgren: Do you –
Malone: Well, I just say that is just sort of, I think, another aspect of this and what
we are trying to accomplish too is identifying events because we will be certain that
(inaudible) and kind of stumbling along and (inaudible) like Kuna Days, Dairy Days
and (inaudible) Days and we really do have another chance to do some public
outreach and education and trying to get other organizations involved and
(inaudible-------). I think that is probably what that is trying to do is like identify all
these opportunities and resources.
Lindgren: I think it’s a great idea. That is what we have identified as the way to do it
because (inaudible-----).
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Malone: Well, and the other thing I would say too and I think the others are
(inaudible-------) and (inaudible-------) some connection.
Lindgren: Like the county Comprehensive Plan? What is that?
Malone: There is a special area of development that talks about historic
preservation. Obviously there is an overview to that and policies (inaudible -----).
What we have got now is just (inaudible----). There is some opportunities that are
very specific about some of the policies (inaudible----).
Lindgren: Which we did have a presentation (inaudible-----). In fact we had – I think
we were looking into was incorporating a sign at their expense, right? At Storey
Park because that was kind of the initiation – consider that the initiation point of the
tour, I guess.
Thomason: And there is an initial point sign there referring to the survey process.
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: There is a picture in the Western Heritage and you can see that it was
(inaudible----).
Malone: That is another part of it (inaudible) probably one of our goals would be to
(inaudible-----) because there is a real (inaudible----). (Inaudible--------).
Lindgren: But, do you see that as a focus for a group such as ours? That is one
thing that we are trying to look into is signage and identification and again, that is
another way to, again, I guess the biggest issue we are running into is we can do all
this good work here as this group, but until the public (inaudible----).
Malone: What it does is raise awareness – we have commissioned (inaudible----)
and basically interpreted (inaudible----). Basically what they told us is you need to
go out and do interpret signage, do all the various (inaudible -----). By doing that that
facilitates (inaudible----), writing (inaudible) and suddenly somebody driving around
trying to find this stuff. Find the sign and you know you are there. That is a big thing
and that’s why we want to know what all the interpreted signage is so that if we have
something that is (inaudible----). (Inaudible---------).
Lindgren: But this is really up to each group to facilitate. Is that right? You know,
this is Meridian’s take at it and (inaudible) may not be similar to what –
Malone: You probably are going to do something in a consistent format (inaudible -).
I can see where there is a huge opportunity, though it might (inaudible) in trying to
get all the players together and get interpreted (inaudible----). There is just nothing.
There has got to be more than just Historic Preservation (inaudible ----). It doesn’t
make sense for the county to go out and (inaudible) and the Army of Corp do their
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own thing and (inaudible) do their own thing and (inaudible) do their own thing. It
would make a lot of sense for all of these to (inaudible).
Berg: Well, Steve, just talking on the aspect of the city or the community because
sometimes this is more of a community, not just a city limit, I think, but the county
being a central documentation, a gathering place and I know you have to do it on
other agencies, but I am just saying for our communities like Star, Kuna, Meridian
and Eagle you have that information and we make sure we give you the information
so we can access it also. But that just makes more sense for you to be holding it all
together because our boundaries don’t seem to stop right at a city limit. It can drag
out into the county, but yet it is still part of our community and touches another part
of the community.
Lindgren: Impact area or whatever.
Berg: Yeah. But, it just seems like it kind of makes sense to be the central
information center to get that to you. Because like I said, there are more othe r
things than just what we as a community looking at is a historic –
Malone: We are kind of waiting for some things to happen where they are going to
move (inaudible---) website (inaudible), hopefully it is going to (inaudible----).
(Inaudible) allowed to have all the national registry nominations (inaudible----). So,
that somebody can get up there and they can find the picture of the property and find
the picture of the property and find out (inaudible ----).
Lindgren: Yeah, that is another issue. So, for example we have two that are just –
we just found out within the last month that they had been accepted by the
Department of the Interior. Would it help to transfer that information to that website
so I would at least have a link to it? You know what I am saying because the Ada
County and Meridian, Meridian and Ada County so somebody can go into the Ada
County website at a link or have that – or that document.
Malone: Right now our website –
(Inaudible discussion)
Berg: I think it’s a community thing, I really do.
Malone: (Inaudible----) again we were being told we were going to have to reinvent
the wheel (inaudible---). There is an area there where we have got (inaudible ----).
We have got various things.
Lindgren: That is wonderful. I mean it’s a neat – I don’t know if those are (inaudible-
----). I mean is (inaudible-----). That one particular structure here, for example, there
is a gentleman, a photographer studio over here, a beautiful house.
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Thomason: It is called Image West Photography; it is on State across from
Jackson’s.
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: It looks like a green house, but I talked with them about getting some
signage started and he was a little more – he was just really upset that people would
come – not even historic (inaudible------). So, I don’t know that is one of the things
that would be nice for us to (inaudible---) up again, formal and informal, but I don’t
know how you get around that factor because you are promoting this as a (inaudible)
saying these houses and yet this guy is saying I don’t want you guys here right now.
You know because people take it a little further, a little too far. They starting getting
into the –
Berg: Walk down the sidewalk, looking at the house, knocking on the door c an I
look inside to see what it looks like inside? I mean, I understand how he wants to
protect his privacy.
Lindgren: But, anyway, I guess we (inaudible------) map?
Thomason: Yeah, it probably needs updating, but it would still be of interest and the
houses are still there.
Lindgren: I don’t know where the original artwork is. I know I have seen those flyers
everywhere. If there is a way that we can even update and bring it into the 21 st
Century and get that (inaudible-----) information and put it in a friendly format.
Berg: Yeah and maybe once you get this going, you can tell us what kind of
information you want and we can help get those things put together and say here it
is, here it is.
Malone: Well, that is what I was thinking like a Phase I is getting (inaudible---) and
Phase II is maybe making consistently formatted and some information –
(Inaudible discussion)
Thomason: I had a question about – Boise City has its own historic preservation
commission?
Lindgren: Yes.
Malone: Also looking at the (inaudible) historic –
Thomason: I used to call (inaudible).
(Inaudible discussion)
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Thomason: I was wondering does your Commission, Council interact with the Boise
City group and --?
Malone: We try to. They are going through a touch t ime right now. They added an
extra historic district (inaudible-----).
(Inaudible discussion)
Malone: They kind of backed themselves into a corner and they (inaudible ----).
Thomason: That (inaudible) achieved, but there was an existing relationship that
even though it may be in it’s infancy that it would make sense for us to keep that in
mind and try to work with (inaudible).
Malone: Well, and that is what we have been trying to do. Two weeks ago, we
(inaudible-----). I think that is the point. I mean, keep trying to build these
relationships and find out what other groups are trying to do and once (inaudible)
maybe we could have a little bit better communication channels then start
coordinating some of these projects.
(Speaker unknown): Again, part of the plan is we need to evaluate serving
(inaudible----).
Lindgren: All this week we have had surveys, which (inaudible ---) and will continue
this year. That formatting is all standard formatting use.
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: So, whatever those forms are that we see, your same documentation
(inaudible----).
Malone: One of the other things in going through the process of surveys is to start
taking a look at the various plans and realized that there isn’t a whole lot of agencies
that have historic (inaudible). I didn’t realize that under the Corp of Engineers
(inaudible-----). You have got (inaudible-----). (Inaudible------). Her husband was
one of the engineers (inaudible-------). The Army Corps plans to talk about
(inaudible), while understanding (inaudible).
Lindgren: So, you are saying at that point, (inaudible) have the resources to even –
(Inaudible discussion)
(Speaker unknown): Well, I think the point being that it’s (inaudible) identifying all
those resources of the work that has been done (inaudible ---) gone through the
things like (inaudible) communities. All these things, these various f orms that need
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to be filled out, most of them have some sort of component identifying resources
(inaudible). Now basically what they are trying to do is saying well, how many
groups have gone through and identified it’s resources? All we really need to do is
file that, (inaudible), survey some documents and then if we have that we should
have a good list of (inaudible) resources.
Malone: Again, the key thing is (inaudible) who the players are (inaudible) historic
and then understand what that means and at some point it may be some money.
Maybe the project (inaudible--) compliments ours and maybe we can reduce their
costs (inaudible---) because again we have got the Army Corp, we have got the
Boise project, we have got Ada County Parks and Water (inaudible), we have got
Boise Parks (inaudible---). There are a lot of people that potentially could
(inaudible).
Lindgren: I think that that would include in that scenario would be the local
(inaudible), too right? You are saying, for example if we had a infrastructure out
here in north Meridian that was of interest to the Meridian City, (inaudible) outside of
maybe our city limits, Ada County and City of Meridian are saying how can we
collectively – you know what ever the project was.
Malone: You always have to sort those things out and get them on the register.
That is the first step and (inaudible---).
Lindgren: Technically can we get somebody on the register that is outside the city
limits (inaudible)?
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: There you go.
(Speaker unknown): Well, that is the other thing is trying to identify like the
(inaudible) areas on (inaudible). If we cou ld identify the resources that are out there
(inaudible----).
Berg: Yeah, a good example is that cemetery that is out there by Bridgetower that
was being gobbled up a little bit and Lila was waving some flags and now at least
there is a spot that designates that that isn’t kind of a pioneer cemetery.
Thomason: There is a field off Ustick and Linder.
Berg: That land is being gobbled up for development and sometimes you lose track
of what was actually –
Lindgren: I haven’t seen what they have come up with, but at the Creamery building
now is generating some sign drawings and that sort of thing –
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Thomason: It has been sold, right?
Lindgren: Yeah, Rick Steel is in fact – it says shops (inaudible---). So, the
Creamery being and it is funny – because you talk to me, we talk to Lila sometimes
(inaudible---). Lila, you know – it is the last thing you would expect here to say.
Anyway, so those are some of the things, you are right that we can get ahead of
because sooner or later they get P&Z process (inaudible----).
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: Well, no not yet. I mean it will be.
Thomason: Guidelines for Old Town and those have been adopted, have they not?
Berg: Yes, they have and that is, I guess you would say the design. Most of the
approval is done by the Planning Department, but there are guidelines that were
adopted.
(Inaudible discussion)
Berg: Old Town.
Lindgren: Well, we had one or two that did and I need to get back to P&Z because –
well I think it was something that was in the core area – for example there was a
development for a – and it wasn’t too much that it was turning down anything, it was
a new mixed use building that – the Buich one, right and it was and we had some
input and we responded back to P&Z on that and I gu ess they would (inaudible), but
since that time we haven’t seen anything come through and I am just wondering –
Berg: I don’t think there has been that much come through – because you are on
the same radar tag as MDC and in their district they want to kn ow what is going on
so they can make comments and those transmittals are sent to us.
Lindgren: We can refresh their memories like hey guys by the way if things are
coming in we do want it to be routed to us and we would like to take the chance to at
least – sometimes, I don’t know our schedules don’t – only meet once a month –
Berg: But, if we get that information we can at least make whatever adjustments
would be needed or a couple of people or whatever to make a recommendation,
especially getting it to you to –
Lindgren: What do you see as far as Meridian – as far as a group we struggle with
that, too. What is the best way that we can be using the funds that are allotted to us.
(Inaudible---) we had two buildings – two structures that were registered and getting
signs and then having some sort of – you know Frank being with the Valley Times
and some process with them. I mean those are the things we are going to start
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looking at, but what other things do you think a city like this could best use it’s
housing resources?
Malone: I think those are the same kinds of things that (inaudible ---). I mean you
look at the inventory of 400 plus structures and I think it’s probably about (inaudible -
). Some of them may be a lot more special than others (inaudible----).
(Inaudible discussion)
Malone: (Inaudible---) effort, but it’s unfortunate that (inaudible) did that, but at the
same time it’s good that we did. We got so derailed trying to get that book released,
we kind of forgot about (inaudible----). The first thing to do would be to (inaudible).
Need to make sure that they understand (inaudible--) that you are doing something
special for the community (inaudible---).
Berg: Sure and probably the other thing is if they have some problems to contact
you before other things could happen. I am not saying that we have money to do
things, but maybe we have resources to help them like if something is falling apart –
well don’t just throw it away if it falls off the side of a barn. Let us know and maybe
we can try and help.
Malone: Another thing too is try and figure out what groups are out there, what
groups have (inaudible---) so if somebody like (inaudible) a turnover at such a young
Council, nobody really knows what the opportunities are out there and certainly we
can hire lots of professionals, (inaudible ----) so we can at least (inaudible), right now
we (inaudible) ownership and we would like to get the knot out and (inaudible).
Berg: Sorry to interrupt. I want to go ahead and open the meeting bec ause we do
have a quorum and we can just kind of continue on –
Lindgren: Can I just kind of go through roll call and then maybe adopt the agenda
and then just go right --? So, why don’t we officially open up the monthly regular
Historical Preservation meeting. Today is Thursday, March 2, 2006 at 5:30 or it is
actually 6:10 P.M. at the moment. We will do roll call attendance.
Roll Call: Walt Lindgren is here; Tom Hammond is here; Frank Thomason is here
and staff Will Berg is here. Carol Harms is (in audible), so we do have a quorum.
Should we do meeting minutes?
Berg: We can do that later.
Lindgren: Okay. Why don’t we just role right back into the conversation. Just to
bring up, this is Tom Hammond, our Vice-Chair of the Commission and this is Curt
James and Steve Malone and talking about Ada County Historic Preservation and
how the city groups and Ada County group might better well interact and we might
have some redundancies and might better help each other’s purposes.
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(Inaudible discussion)
Malone: To me the most of the things that he said we could do is (inaudible) a
number of (inaudible) and build a better front of the Historic Preservation community
(inaudible----). So, then it would sort of bring to bare all of the available resources,
whether they would be budgets or (inaudible) connections or whatever (inaudible ---),
just (inaudible) unified front of whether they (inaudible ---) or CLD’s or state level
efforts or whatever. I think the more we can do and continue to get together to
collaborate more on projects (inaudible) and then maybe (inaudible ---).
Lindgren: You know I went to one of the seminars. It was the – I think it was the
(inaudible---) National Trust yearly meeting in Portland and there was a group and I
can’t think of the group, but it was more -- probably be the one that we should be
more involved with. I can’t remember the name.
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: I am sure you probably have heard of the (inaudible)? Does that sound
familiar?
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: That is kind of what –
Malone: That is one of our policies that we try to (inaudible -----).
Lindgren: (Inaudible-----) this isn’t even on our radar. Did you go there?
James: Yeah, so I went the first day and they were sort of running – it was an all
day sort of introductory training. I did find that the more (inaudible -----).
Lindgren: One of the things they offer is, it’s an acronym and I am not sure what
(inaudible) and it is called CAMP and they will come here and we can get, I mean
collectively in groups together that would help share the costs because you are
paying a lump sum for a general, just the talent to be there and then you have to pay
for food or whatever, but it’s like and I think it’s either you can do it for just a day and
just (inaudible) and Ann was pretty high on it and she said once you experience
(inaudible-----).
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: Is this something you think your group might be a part of and it’s just –
(Inaudible discussion)
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Lindgren: No, just bring one guy and have that guy who understands (inaudible ----)
because it sounds like we have got similar challenges and (inaudible) and say you
know we really need to be – I don’t know maybe they won’t tell us anything we don’t
already know. I could pursue it and see what the costs would be. Email them to
you.
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: I suspect that we can cover it with our group and your group and maybe
Eagle or something like that, sort of makes sense.
Thomason: That’s to bring that (inaudible) over here?
Lindgren: Yeah.
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: I just wonder if there comes a point (inaudible) too many different
problems. I mean, if we have similar challenges then the focus will be on what we
want to talk about and not too – I think Boise City probably poses different.
Berg: You could maybe ask them, though, what do they think is the perimeters that
we should – like how big is too big or how small is not worth that and then does
Canyon County have the same kind of organization as what you are trying to put
together with their communities or not? Because maybe you just throw out one
invite the Canyon County that we are going to have this and can you get a hold of
whoever might be some community adventures and then tell us?
(Inaudible discussion)
Malone: I know there is the Council of some sort that Canyon County themselves
are (inaudible-----).
Lindgren: One of the other things that we are looking at is I think it’s in August
(inaudible) Dairy Days is one of the after hours events is going to be at (inaudible)
Frames (inaudible----) cut and framing and we talked about one way to (inaudible)
some of these old photos and I think we talked about different ways of doing it like
one is having a raffle or one is you bid on it – whatever it is, but it’s the exposure
(inaudible) and I wanted to (inaudible) because people go to those, no problem. You
flip into the Historic Preservation, you have got a captive audience and that is what
we are trying to do (inaudible----) and then incorporate it where you get some
images that can be sold or I don’t know we haven’t really (inaudible ----) or things like
that –
(Inaudible discussion)
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Berg: No we have several different groups though. This here is the city –
Thomason: This is the city agency, but we already have for the funding –
(Speaker unknown): We have a historic foundation.
(Inaudible discussion)
Malone: We have gotten some pretty positive feedback from the (inaudible -----).
They were actually serious about (inaudible----).
(Inaudible discussion)
Thomason: Oh, the County Commission.
Lindgren: I mean when I think of projects our projects are like – I mean because
they are just budget – how do you rally, like in this case –
Malone: That one we were fortunate because there was somebody working out
there that understood the value of that (inaudible-----). (Inaudible-----). The county
can give (inaudible----) and it is up to them to try and figure out how to get (inaudible)
and make sure it is not an ongoing burden (inaudible). But, I think they have got
their act together.
(Inaudible discussion)
(Speaker unknown): We happen to have help with the (inaudible ---). We notify the
group of the bigger, largest community and you guys (inaudible ----). Those are the
kinds of the things that if we had more of those channels built.
Lindgren: Well, there is nothing to stop it from private funding or that sort of thing or
donations.
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: Well, it sounds like we are heading that way.
Malone: They are working with Idaho Heritage Trust to (inaudible---).
Lindgren: Even the network that we individually have in our own profession and that
sort of thing – it could be a good partner for what you are looking to do and I know
you have been good about sending (inaudible----) and stuff like that, it just keeps it in
front of us all the time and I think that is helping because – (inaudible) first Thursday
is our one day a week is you focus on preservation and we go away –
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Malone: (Inaudible----). It is interesting when we decided that we were going to do a
preservation (inaudible---) to try and find the time and effort for (inaudible---). The
first thing (inaudible) was how you do a preservation? We started reading it and
realized number one that (inaudible) and number two (inaudible ----). What that does
is give us a lot more credibility in our decision making. We can give you this big
picture and say (inaudible) hundreds of thousands of dollars of stuff (inaudible ---).
Lindgren: When you said you think you had much (inaudible) 40 percent minority is
that through surveys and things that are already – just fragmented and you just kind
of needed to bring it all into one?
Malone: If you looked at the article (inaudible) copies and (inaudible---) address part
of the preservation. One of the things that we are required every year is doing
(inaudible) and the very first one is (inaudible) and why we are doing it and the
(inaudible---) and so we just kind of slowly started answering all those questions and
when we did those first kinds of exercises it made the whole make sense to us.
(Inaudible---) it would be nice to have it all in this document with (inaudible ---).
Lindgren: You just didn’t realize that you were already thinking in that direction.
Malone: Well, we knew that those were some of the things that we had – the piece
of the puzzle that we had to put together to have any rationalization (inaudible). The
whole idea pretty much of preservation (inaudible ---).
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: We are probably just going to table the balance of this stuff. The rest of
the stuff is actually –
Malone: Maybe another 10 or 15 minutes. Is that okay?
Lindgren: Okay.
Malone: This generally follows (inaudible ----) when you get down to the summary
that has preservation efforts. That is kind of the beginning of the framework that
they gave us. All this other stuff is just (inaudible).
(Inaudible discussion)
Malone: Are we still on?
Lindgren: Yeah, yeah.
Malone: Yeah, Frank asking about this last paragraph (inaudible ---). One of the
things that recently hit the newspaper was the county’s desire to find collection
workers to help (inaudible) because they have got like a thousand different positions
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that need to be filled every year. The collection workers get older and older, things
get harder and harder to replace (inaudible). They publicize and they pay $125 per
a days’ work, $150 if you are (inaudible ---). Anyway that $125, you can either take
that home with you or instead of doing that you can have all the taxes taken out –
take the whole $125 and donate it directly to the non-profit. So, like you guys have
two non-profits (inaudible----) and if they just wanted to do their own fundraising and
they could get – let’s say they got 8 people together to work elections and go
through the process and potentially they could raise $1,000 per year (inaudible --).
Lindgren: Is this kind of, I mean not under the table kind of money, but I mean is it
just like – are you paying them like a 10-40?
Malone: Yeah, you would do the same thing just like you would do for any other job.
You have the option that you don’t have to accept the money (inaudible----). It’s like
me, if I was to do this and take that $125 that is equal to the amount of money that I
could give them (inaudible) donate the money (inaudible -----). You know it is a way
for a smaller non-profit that doesn’t have a lot of access (inaudible). Again,
(inaudible----) that you could even have some money that (inaudible) that maybe
something would come up that the county needs, a little bit of money that could be
matched.
(Inaudible discussion)
(Tape turned over)
Malone: We kind of took a fairly broad approach with the past preservation efforts
(inaudible---). So, we know who else is in historic preservation. We know that the
BLM has the Snake River Birds of Prey and they have got a (inaudible) heavily
involved in the Birds of Prey for the (inaudible). By just identifying good players it
makes it a lot more effective and knowing who can help us. Another part of the thing
was trying to identify what historically certain surveys that can (inaudible -------). The
great thing about doing that for us is we are able to go back to all these surveys that
(inaudible-----) and realize that what would be the one exception, all the
recommendations ever given to us by consultants (inaudible). So, that helps us.
Now all of sudden we have got a wrath of stuff that needs to be done. (Inaudible ---)
how much is out there. (Inaudible----) which is part of how that helps us figure out
what the plan (inaudible---). Personally I think there was an agricultural county
which I kind of try and think of what the landmark structure would be and (inaudible)
which you have got the schools, looking at the Grange Hall. I am not sure
(inaudible) those things are, those are kind of the ones that (inaudible) and if we are
going to try and save any of our agricultural area, this is probably (inaudible) a whole
lot of rules (inaudible----).
(Inaudible discussion)
Meridian Historic Preservation Commission
March 2, 2006
Page 15 of 22
Thomason: The Locust Grove School, the one that replaced the one in (inaudible) in
’29 is still standing on Locust Grove just south of Overland on the east side up off of
the Mountain View High School.
Malone: We found in the files a history of all the Boise schools and it got me
thinking about Kuna and Meridian.
Thomason: Do you have the history of the Meridian School District by (inaudible ---)?
(Inaudible discussion)
(Speaker unknown): Well and the Preservation of Idaho (inaudible) I mean I know
they are doing that in Boise.
Malone: Which is a good learning thing (inaudible ----). What they found out is that
there is nothing in Boise School District’s procedures that said they need to consider
that. There is very little in there (inaudible---) and so they are working with them in
trying to – actually get state (inaudible). I think they are also trying to (inaudible ----)
with the Boise School District to where they (inaudible ---) five miles down the road
and ready to pull the trigger and (inaudible---) a big issue here (inaudible-----).
(Inaudible discussion)
Malone: I am not sure if any of those are actually historic district and I can’t waste
(inaudible-----), but the problem is the school has just been zoned (inaudible----).
This tells you that that’s the people you have to reach out to (inaudible) and try to get
those people engaged. But before that we would like to know if there is any historic
research out there because (inaudible----) out of the Meridian School District’s
(inaudible---). It’s really not – we may not want to bother (inaudible----). So, we are
kind of doing these (inaudible) studies to kind of reach out to (inaudible) to help us
(inaudible-------). Just for our own sanity, we wanted to f igure out who the other
preservation groups are (inaudible). Originally when I started this, I took a
(inaudible), Council (inaudible----) some society (inaudible) and put it together
(inaudible), but if I put it in here it helps me kind of go through an understanding it
and it also gives (inaudible) document that (inaudible ---) take the time to read this
(inaudible----). We can spend a whole lot more time being productive and less time
educating.
Lindgren: There are so many (inaudible----). I agree, I have the same feelings like
what are we doing here? What is our purpose here? I think it is a great idea to have
this information.
Malone: The great thing about it is this thing is going to be on the website
(inaudible) and if somebody else wants to take it and do the Meridian plan, cut out a
whole mess of it and (inaudible) it is there. This part about the legal basis for history
preservation, short of what Meridian does legally, encourage history preservation
Meridian Historic Preservation Commission
March 2, 2006
Page 16 of 22
and the rest of it (inaudible). That is one thing we are doing is we have got this legal
basis for historic preservation and we got all the (inaudible) and (inaudible) the
current (inaudible) and get into (inaudible) trying to summarize the (inaudible -----).
They created a whole bunch of stuff and various groups that we are going to relate
to potentially (inaudible) a significant (inaudible). There is a nice section in there
about how Historic Preservation integrates some things and it kind of gets into – try
to come up with narrative that says bring me the project and we are going to do an
(inaudible) and this is kind of how (inaudible ----) process. It’s a process (inaudible)
because I can take a look at it and say (inaudible) and as a rezone, (inaudible)
regulations (inaudible----) to a subdivision (inaudible---). There really is nothing in
there to say – the only way we can get them in the subdivision is (inaudible -----). It
kind of points out potentially the gaps (inaudible----). It’s just a great process to
know in your own mind (inaudible----).
Lindgren: I think it’s kind of odd. There is new development, for example, what is
your take Curt or Steve, your take on your groups’, I guess review of a new project
that has a historical reference to that particular project (inaudible)? We are
reviewing a new building for downtown Meridian and I am thinking well what is our
role here because we are not the design review committee – I think the
contemporary – well, that might be a bad example. What is a preservation group in
your mind, what kind of recourse do we have when it comes to new development
projects (inaudible---) on that historic (inaudible)?
Malone: That is a pretty good question. You would hope that if you were really
going to value historic property to the (inaudible), you wo uld not want something
totally out of scale and character (inaudible---).
Lindgren: The scale is one thing, but to say oh we want to see brick or we want to
see (inaudible), you know what I mean? It’s like well why? I mean this is a
contemporary building with a contemporary design. I mean what sort of recourse
would this group have and why would we get in the middle of something like that,
which isn’t really preserving history.
Hammond: We are talking about actually new development.
Lindgren: Yeah, I agree scale and everything like that we should be looking at that
regardless. That is really not historically (inaudible----).
Malone: I am kind of agreeing, if all you have on the (inaudible) is something that
says you guys need to review the condos (inaudible---). But to me if it is really
important to you that you feel like there is a historic labor here that needs to be
perpetuated, then you probably want to go a lot farther and (inaudible---) go as far as
having (inaudible) –
Lindgren: Well, actually that is why the MDC and it’s guidelines are being promoted
anyway. It does all kind of fall into place nicely, I guess I am just trying to
Meridian Historic Preservation Commission
March 2, 2006
Page 17 of 22
understand that because we were reviewing it and I was thinking well why are we
even reviewing this new building as a Preservation Commission?
(Inaudible discussion)
(Speaker unknown): I mean I guess I was just thinking in terms of just building – I
even think it may be more important than what used to be (inaudible) history of the
actual piece of land and how that may be related to new structure and (inaudible). I
mean, I think that is what our involvement has been (inaudible), but more about what
was there and how exactly (inaudible).
Lindgren: Isn’t it relative – kind of off the subject, but isn’t it also that we are creating
history here and what is relevant to us today? Is everything – is it only a passage
(inaudible) to us? You know what I mean?
(Inaudible discussion)
Malone: This is what I think, too, so for example (inaudible) eminent design of the
building they have incorporated like a window from the original (inaudible) the office,
so I see a role of a group like ours in trying to promote practices like that. So, some
of these new structures retain some of the character of what came before th ey did.
So, I mean even if it’s nothing more than that, I think that is a pretty substantial thing.
Lindgren: Still expressing contemporary –
Malone: The rest of the building has nothing to do with any historical design
(inaudible) at all, but it retains the flavor or –
(Inaudible discussion)
(Speaker unknown): You probably saw the article in the paper of the (inaudible)
district in Nampa and the developer there (inaudible)? Well, anyway, Nampa has
kind of a really interesting historic downtown (in audible----). It is interesting. I
learned a little bit about it in the last couple of months. Part of the most significant
structure in all of Ada County (inaudible----). You go down there (inaudible----) you
know kind of like what Curt was saying, yo u could build some (inaudible) signage
into that structure (inaudible---). I mean, if somebody understood that a whole
square block of downtown Nampa was (inaudible).
Lindgren: We got other ways to reference and maybe we can advocate that verses
saying we don’t like your design this way, we want to see brick and you know –
Malone: Well to me that’s almost (inaudible ----). That is just like (inaudible----)
historical rendering, Disneyland type –
Lindgren: Then it starts to look a little (inaudible) and it runs that risk – yeah.
Meridian Historic Preservation Commission
March 2, 2006
Page 18 of 22
James: Well, I have to run. It was really nice meeting you.
Lindgren: Nice to meet you Curt.
(Inaudible discussion)
(Speaker unknown): That’s kind of one of those big things that we are trying to work
on. This is one of the things that is recommended for either (inaudible) for
characters (inaudible) and that is pretty tough (inaudible---). That is everything from
downtown Boise to Gold Rush, all the various variations throughout the county
(inaudible---). So, what we are trying to do is put together a detailed timeline
(inaudible---). That is really someplace where (inaudible ---). We know a couple of
things –
(Inaudible discussion)
Malone: We would certainly welcome any input on that. (Inaudible---) for
development for those areas.
Lindgren: Do you know (inaudible---)?
Thomason: Late ‘60’s.
Lindgren: Have you met her?
Malone: I met her (inaudible) with one or two meetings with the MDC.
Thomason: The MDC isn’t very old – about two years old. It started out without a
name and then –
(Inaudible discussion)
Thomason: This group –
(Inaudible discussion)
Thomason: This is something we might even want to look at or do. That is just
fabulous.
Lindgren: I think it’s neat.
Malone: Like I said I think – I am hoping that (inaudible--) many other (inaudible---)
subtract from the (inaudible).
(Inaudible discussion)
Meridian Historic Preservation Commission
March 2, 2006
Page 19 of 22
Malone: See originally we thought that it was tied very closely to the Comp Plan and
a way it does because it really helps us underst and what the issues are and it talks
about policies in the Comp Plan and make sure that we can do all the things that we
want to do and that deadline is early June is what we are shooting for, but we have
been told since they kind of had this deadline in e arly summer and we realize
(inaudible---).
Lindgren: Well, it looks like you are well on your way.
Malone: Yeah, I would certainly hope that – I want it done before the next budget
year, so hopefully we get a budget (inaudible) and I really want to get as much done
in the next two months as possible so we can get it to the budget.
Berg: So, the Board is going to adopt this plan?
Malone: We have got to figure out exactly how that –
Berg: (Inaudible) to the Council because if they do adopt the plan then it can be a
big part of the Comp Plan.
Malone: We probably are going to need – we have got a chapter that kind of
establishes the Council (inaudible) and (inaudible---). It would be just one of our
responsibilities that we view the plan and figure some policy either in the Comp Plan
or wherever (inaudible). These things are important and somehow (inaudible).
Berg: I can just see that as much work as you put into this that you want something
to somehow tie it and (inaudible---) and to fall back into what this plan means and
then you know you can keep updating it and get the (inaudible) just by itself, not just
by having being approved by the Comp Plan – the Comp Plan has to be approved
by a public hearings and you know that.
Malone: Well, from what I could find out, essentially I have been kind of minding our
files to try and understand (inaudible ---) and I know for a fact that we have strategic
plans back in 1993, I can’t find one older than 1993 and they were like (inaudible ---).
I would really like to have a much farther timeline to be looking at and then update
that periodically too. Maybe do that every three or four years. (Inaudible ----)
because if we don’t then the decision maker is going to (inaudible ---). It is your
policy, it is your decision to really (inaudible) and we are running out of time. I think I
will kind of tap it out with that.
Berg: Just a question then. Is Hubbard Lake kind of a historical feature because I
know in the paper you talked about a park?
Malone: Well, we are working on some other projects together – (inaudible---) I
heard about it just very vaguely maybe three or four months ago. (Inaudible ----).
Meridian Historic Preservation Commission
March 2, 2006
Page 20 of 22
One of my other little things (inaudible---). Last year we had our first history
scavenger hunt (inaudible) didn’t have one this year – incorporated Nampa,
(inaudible), Star –
(Inaudible discussion)
Berg: Are these antique auto?
Thomason: These are curb production and sports (inaudible).
Berg: I was just wondering how old they are because my father -in-law is involved
with restoring old – he has 1913 Speedster –
(Inaudible discussion)
Malone: So anyway they put this together they are like some old (inaudible) shacks
(inaudible----).
Thomason: There is a (inaudible) of what looks like (inaudible) sha ck. Is it Ada
County or Meridian? Just west of Cloverdale on the south side of Franklin Road
across from what used to be the Cedar Inn. There is a (inaudible) of a homestead
shack. Do you know what I am talking about? Is that in Meridian or Ada County ? I
like things like that.
Berg: A quarter mile west of Cloverdale on the south side of –
Thomason: Do you know where I am talking about? There used to be a clothesline
thing and a little out building and those are gone. Now, all that is left is –
Berg: -- well a quarter mile so you would have to determine where –
(Inaudible discussion)
Thomason: Or move that to the new Settler’s Park. It’s not very big. That whole
little shack is no bigger than this room. You can see right through it. It’s poignant
and evocative. The next time you are driving down, check it out before it’s gone. It
lasted longer than the Cedar Inn.
Malone: Anyway, the point I was getting at is the (inaudible ---). So, there is
potential that (inaudible). So, if she sells that property, I am thinking that our group
needs to stay in touch with her because they will need to bring (inaudible ---). Maybe
(inaudible) is the place to do it. If they are looking to try and do – I know right now
that Harbor Park they are constructing (inaudible) and one of the things that we are
going to do is (inaudible---). If you have got a public meeting space and people
need to schedule for local stuff and (inaudible) downtown Boise (inaudible).
Meridian Historic Preservation Commission
March 2, 2006
Page 21 of 22
Thomason: Are you serious? I was raised on Lake Hazel Road and I had to find
Lake Hazel (inaudible---).
Malone: That is the other thing, too. It would be nice to figure out some way to put
some (inaudible---) developers (inaudible-----).
(Inaudible discussion)
Malone: Yeah, good point because of all of the planning community (inaudible)
because they understand that they are only going to get top dollar if they can
(inaudible--).
Lindgren: Yeah, I do agree. That is a good point. I appreciate your time, Steve.
Thanks.
Thomason: Congratulations on all of the work you have done.
Lindgren: Table some items. So, I am going to make a motion to table these items
for next month.
Hammond: Second.
Lindgren: Call the question. Any discussion? None? All those in favor.
ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
Lindgren: Make a motion to adjourn.
Thomason: Second.
Lindgren: All those in favor.
ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
5. Follow Up and Feedback on Emily Peeso’s Historic Registered Structures’
Presentation to the Meridian Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Tuesday,
February 7, 2006 by Tom Hammond:
6. Update on Meridian Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours in
August 17, 2006 at Finer Frames by Tom Hammond:
7. Update on Progress on Historic Signs (Tolleth House) by Walter Lindgren:
8. Budget / Finance Report:
9. Update on Review of Emily Peeso’s Contract:
Meridian Historic Preservation Commission
March 2, 2006
Page 22 of 22
10. Review HPC Fiscal Budget and 2006 Goals on Which to Focus:
11. Review of 2007 Goals:
ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:56 P.M.
APPROVED:
_______________________________ _____|_____|_____
WALTER LINDGREN - CHAIRMAN DATE APPROVED
ATTEST:
_______________________________
WILLIAM G. BERG, JR. - CITY CLERK