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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-20-11 Historic Preservation Advisory Board MinutesMinutes for Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board (BHPAB) meeting January 20, 2011 In attendance: Mark Hufstetler (Chair), Crystal Alegria, Bruce Brown, Lora Dalton, Lesley Gilmore (Substitute Secretary), Jared Infanger, Jane Klockman, Courtney Kramer (City Liaison), Dale Martin, Boone Nolte, Paul Reichert. Quorum established. Absent: Ryan Olson, Jecyn Bremer, Anne Sherwood Guests: Orlando Piva, Tax Abatement Applicant; Carson Taylor, City Commissioner Liaison Meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm. Minutes for Nov. 23, 2010 meeting were not available for approval; it is believed that they were completed immediately after the meeting and set aside. They will be submitted for approval next month. There was no public comment. There was no ex parte communication. Introduction of invited guest: Orlando Piva. Project Review and Recommendations to Staff: Project for Tax Abatement: American Indian Institute at 502 W. Mendenhall. CK explained the Tax Abatement process and proposed the following improvement to the process: approve a project provisionally, then verify compliance on site upon completion of the project. We would need a resolution to enact this. Abatements are not submitted to the City Commission until the projects are completed. CK introduced the project, being reviewed by planner Cary Thorpe. Has received COA. Does it qualify for tax abatement? Orlando talked about the project. The building has basically been falling apart for fifty years. Replacing two exterior doors. Interior doors have already been replaced. Roof framing will need to be rebuilt in 5-10 years. Fascias are rotted and will be repaired and repainted. The Board discussed the project and considered the following: Is it restoration or maintenance? Shouldn’t a project be more than inertia? Isn’t the abatement meant to be a reward to offset additional cost of restoration? Are too many changes being made to the interior? It was noted that the submitted documents were incomplete (drawings were not annotated) and not reflective of the applicant’s verbal description, obfuscating review. It was agreed to refer review of the project to the Professional Review Subcommittee (PRC), who should make a recommendation to the full board. The PRC will also draft a statement of intent for the abatement process, in order to regulate this process. The statement should reflect the actual ordinance. A motion was made and seconded to delegate the matter to the PRC for review and recommendation. Unanimously approved. Chair’s Report by Mark Hufstetler Tax Abatement Program: We need the PRC to review the process and guidelines, and prepare a 1-2 page project review with key issues and explanation of scope. CK only brings the projects forward; she is not endorsing them. Discussions should be as if CK is not there. DM noted that the basic question is whether the process is meant to reward exception projects or to encourage as many as possible (as a broad incentive). BB noted that the process represents a shifting of tax burden, so the process needs to add value. It was agreed that we need a justifiable process. Since we’ll be receiving more applications, we’ll need an efficient system that doesn’t place a burden on the city (taxwise). It was moved and seconded to forward the next applications to the PRC. Unanimously approved. PRC will also review the checklist to ensure that proper documentation will be provided by applicants. Light Poles (at Cleveland & Wilson) Update: Northwestern Energy has agreed to replace the existing concrete streetlights with a similar concrete streetlight. Original poles are 10’ high; the new ones will be 12’ high. Concern was expressed about the taller pole casting light into bedroom windows. It was posited that with the low glare “cut off” optics and house side shield option, that this shouldn’t be an issue. While replacement of the original fixtures is not preferable, use of these replica fixtures – in lieu of current metal poles – is considered a victory. Praise is extended to the manufacturer, who reduced his price, and to MH, JK, BB, and others. Windshield Survey: CK brought printouts of the GIS dot project, which illustrates the extent and ratings of the 1984 survey. Different colors represent the ratings: contributing, landmark, neutral, intrusive, etc. The maps shown – of Lindley HD and one overall of the Conservation Overlay District (COD) – reveal that some areas in the COD weren’t surveyed. This map can be used as a blank slate to redo the survey – starting with the windshield survey. Task: Windshield survey a few dozen blocks within the next few months. Planning & Policy Subcommittee will derive the guidelines and checklist. Highway signs announcing Bozeman’s historic districts - status: CK has repeatedly asked MDT about the status. She received a letter from MDT stating that the signs are being manufactured and will be installed this spring. Guest Speakers/ House Tours: This was tabled to next month. Planning & Policy Subcommittee report by Lora Dalton Windshield Survey – Subcommittee to choose geographic area and do it. Working with City Commission – we decided in our prior meeting with the Commission to: Get involved early. Use the consent agenda to process more COA’s, and to defer more COA’s to the Professional Review Subcommittee. See all proposed demolitions in the COD. This has been happening. Improve our meeting minutes – to accurately and more thoroughly explain our intent and approach to the Commission. Tax Abatement Process: Make a clear linear path for the applicants. The Professional Review Subcommittee will help with this. Old Business: Demolition by Neglect Ordinance: We need to decide how this should dovetail with the Uniform Property Maintenance Code. Chief Code Inspector Bob Risk has offered to speak with the Subcommittee, to share his experience living in areas with demolition by neglect ordinances. Construction Bond: We need to develop a list of red flags as to when a bond should be required. Sign Inventory and historic sign ordinance: Subcommittee is reviewing the historic sign ordinance of Medford, OR, which is a good example that protects historic signs, while allowing for introduction of period signs. Will be helpful in offering guidelines for Bozeman – exempting historic signs from the regular sign ordinance. Next meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 1. 2011, 6:30 pm at Mark’s house. Education & Outreach Subcommittee report presented by MH as proxy for RO The Subcommittee did not meet last month. LD would like to see a BHPAB flyer distributed around town or at Story Mansion – to get to people before they start work on their homes. CK will bring the archive of pamphlets BHPAB has produced in the past. Next meeting: Thursday, Feb. 10, 6:30 pm at Jane’s house. Staff Liaison Report by Courtney Kramer COA’s: low count, as it’s the beginning of the year. Zoning issue revolving around the houses on Mendenhall. Most lots are zoned B3, which encourages business to grow north of Main Street. Commercial on the first floor, with residential on the second floor. Residential use is not allowed on the first floor. CK would like to see this modified to allow residential on the first floor, in order to keep the houses intact. CK brought this up at a planning staff meeting. CK will keep us posted. Preserve America grants have been announced. We did not receive one for the Depot or East Willson. Disappointing. CK will try to find out why. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.