HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPAB 08-24-17 minutes
Historic Preservation Advisory Board
August 24th, 2017 | 12-1:30 pm
City Hall: Madison Room - 121 N. Rouse Ave., Bozeman MT
A. 12:05:34 PM (00:11:32) Call meeting to order and Roll Call
Present Were:
Michael Wallner (Chair)
Vicky York
Jeanne Wilkinson
Chris Saunders (Staff Liaison)
B. Changes to the Agenda
C. 12:06:42 PM (00:12:40) Minutes for Approval:
None
D. 12:06:48 PM (00:12:46) Public Comment
E. Action Items
12:06:49 PM (00:12:47) 1. Review of proposed re-adoption of 4B guidelines.
Planner Saunders offered some background on the Historic Preservation program and its implementation
into code in the 1990s. The language used references the Secretary of Interior, the Federal agency charged
with administering the National Preservation Act. This was the basis for review for some time, but they
came across some issues with using it as it is written by architects for architects.
12:11:31 PM (00:17:29) The City adopted Resolution 3885 in early 2006 that was more user friendly for
the Conservation Overlay. The document reviewed how to do design review and what kinds of issues
dealt with specifically for historic properties. The Conservation Overlay includes some non-historic
structures and some that have yet to be inventoried, but applied the same set of standards set by the
Secretary of Interior, specifically written for historic properties which caused some stress.
12:13:00 PM (00:18:58) Saunders stated that this document has sections specifically for historic
properties and goes over things that are generally applicable such as the pattern of the street, form of the
building (shape), and has some defined guidelines for residential vs. commercial. Saunders continued to
discuss how the historic districts were identified in Chapter 1-4 and how Ch. 5 specifically reviews
Cooper Park, Bon Ton, Main Street, etc.
12:18:52 PM (00:24:50) Saunders explained that the City continued to change and that there were
questions that arose out of the process of updating the Growth Policy and Neighborhood Plan(s) in 2009,
officially adopted in 2010. The State authorized communities to create Neighborhood Plans that are
able to be more specific to a smaller area.
12:21:18 PM (00:27:16) Saunders clarified that no one Neighborhood Plan stated that one area was
more important than another. One Neighborhood Plan, The Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan
reviewed some items more unique to the B3 zoning district area. The document recognizes the area as
being diverse and called for design guidelines that were more specific to the Downtown area.
12:26:27 PM (00:32:25) Saunders explained that in an attempt to balance the importance of preserving
historically significant structures and character and encouraging new growth in Bozeman, they worked
with local architects and proposed to the Commission a new section of the Bozeman Guidelines for
Historic Preservation & The Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District called Subchapter 4B.
12:30:28 PM (00:36:26) Saunders explained that the Subchapter 4B Guidelines are the first time in B3
zoning where there is an explicit set of rules for transitional standards. Saunders said that the question
has been raised on whether the Subchapter 4B was adopted properly. The City will be going through a
re-adoption process of the existing document, unchanged.
12:33:14 PM (00:39:12) Board member Vicky York stated that the NCOD consultant’s report indicated
that the 4B guidelines were temporary and asked for clarification. Saunders replied that there was not a
specific date for how long the 4B Guidelines would be in place, but that the City has funds to do a
broader, more comprehensive study, but that the process was stalled when the Historic Preservation
Specialist position became vacant.
12:37:11 PM (00:43:09) York asked about the addition of 4B and whether it removed any other
guidelines. Saunders answered that he did not know of any removed guidelines, but that Chapter 4 still
applies and that Chapter 4B applies to a very specific area. If something is not specified in 4B, Ch. 4
would still be in place as it applies to a more general area.
12:43:28 PM (00:49:26) Saunders clarified, in response to a question, that the 4B re-adoption is in
response to the original adoption process being questioned more than the content. He stated that it is
possible for the Commission to direct some amendments after it has been readopted.
12:45:14 PM (00:51:12) York asked what role the Historic Preservation Advisory Board played in the
adoption of subchapter 4B. Saunders stated that he was not part of the board at that time, but other
board members stated that they did not see much indication that the board was involved.
12:46:29 PM (00:52:27) Saunders stated that there is typically a clear standard of which document is the
governing document. The NCOD guidelines were more specific and typically more specificity overrides
more general guidelines when there is a conflict or unresolved issue.
12:50:58 PM (00:56:56) The HPAB members discussed the re-adoption of the Subchapter 4B guidelines
and what role they would play – whether they’re looking at the content or the process of adoption. The
board identified this as being an opportunity to make suggestions.
12:58:28 PM (01:04:26) Board members discussed going through Subchapter 4B in depth at their next
meeting. After discussions with some architects specializing in Historic areas, the board discussed
looking into methods utilized by other communities that would offer a different approach.
01:01:28 PM (01:07:26) Board members discussed the fact that other communities require charrettes
with neighboring properties to help involve affected parties
01:05:37 PM (01:11:35) Board members discussed the fact that the Historic Preservation Advisory
board was not involved in the previous adoption of 4B. They pointed out that this is their opportunity to
be involved and ensure that Historic Preservation is addressed from a non-personal perspective and to
work toward something that aligns with other guidelines in place.
F. FYI/Discussion
G. 01:10:25 PM (01:16:23) Adjournment
For more information please contact Chris Saunders at csaunders@bozeman.net or 406-582-2260
Preservation Board meetings are open to all members of the public. If you have a disability and require assistance, please contact our
ADA coordinator, Chuck Winn (TDD 582-2307).
To stream other Advisory Board / Public meetings, click HERE.