HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-21-11 Historic Preservation Advisory Board Minutes
Historic Preservation Advisory Board at the HRDC Building –
21 April 2011
Members Present: Mark Hufstetler (Chair), Jecyn Bremer, Bruce Brown, Lora Dalton, Lesley Gilmore (Substitute Secretary), Jared Infanger, Courtney Kramer (City Liaison), Dale Martin,
and Boone Nolte - Quorum established.
Absent: Crystal Alegria, Jane Klockman, Ryan Olson, Paul Reichert, and Anne Sherwood.
Guests: Carson Taylor, City Commissioner Liaison
Meeting was called to order at 6:40 pm.
Minutes from prior meeting:
Motion to approve was made by LD.
Motion was seconded by JI.
Approval was unanimous; JB abstained (due to prior absence).
Public Comment: None.
Ex Parte Communication: None.
Introduction of Invited Guests: Steve Keuch, who has applied for a seat on the Board.
Project Review and Recommendations to Staff:
Staff explained the review process and the triggers.
Brief discussion of property at 410 S. 3rd in the Bonton Historic District:
Staff classified the project as a demolition and wrote a memo disapproving of the demolition.
This has prompted the owner to return to the drawing board.
Hopefully this will result in an improved design.
Review of staff-proposed revisions to the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District Code Chapter 18.28:
CK explained that the genesis for proposed changes to the code stems from staff preference to lessen the number of COA review items, as they create a heavy workload. This might not
be where the Board wants staff to concentrate their efforts.
CK related that Chris Saunders has been the primary draftsman of the revisions, but he was unable to attend tonight’s meeting.
CK still wants strong review in the historic districts, but would like to ease up a bit on reviews outside of the district – in order to free up staff time.
The Board reviewed the specific list of items in the list of exceptions (i.e. to not be reviewed by staff).
CK confirmed that there is currently no distinction between review of properties within the historic districts and those outside the districts. All properties in the Neighborhood Conservation
Overlay District (COD) are reviewed similarly.
MH is concerned about the double standard the proposed revisions would incur – with applying stricter process to properties in the historic district and in the National Register of Historic
Places. This could engender a disincentive to nominate historic districts and erode the integrity of the COD.
CK stated that there are different tenets between the COD and the National Register – so should they be treated the same?
MH noted that there are still a number of unlisted potential National Register properties and historic districts. If the resource survey were updated and all eligible properties had
been nominated, then perhaps we could apply different regulatory processes to them.
MH feels that the city would be best served by having one set of guidelines applied to all. Otherwise it could be perceived as a regulatory disadvantage to be in a historic district.
MH noted that there might actually be some properties that we would recommend stricter guidelines for – such as landmarks.
It was agreed to move away from a perceived double standard and to retain the basic principle of treating all the properties in the COD the same.
The Board reviewed items A.1.a. – f., in Article 18.28.040, on page 28-3 of the code to see if some could be eliminated from review by staff. The following modifications were agreed
to (note that the Board was guided by CT to not write the code, but to provide a sense of direction):
Fences: define non-synthetic (i.e. not white vinyl), visually compatible. List acceptable products such as wood and masonry. All other products should be reviewed.
Egress windows: This section seems to only address basement windows. The windows should match the design of the other basement windows. Design: what about material and configuration?
And why not just say that white vinyl is not allowed?
Shed: have to be behind the front plane of the building, so can’t just plop it down in front of the building.
Roofs: state shingle or wood roofs (not shakes).
Omit item e re windows, as windows need review.
Omit item f re solar panels, as the impact will vary case by case. Such panels can really be problematic.
The Board will review the final draft after CK and Saunders revise.
Chair’s Report:
Officer elections occur annually.
LD nominated the following slate:
Chair: Mark Hufstetler.
Vice Chair: Jared Infanger.
Secretary: Lesley Gilmore.
Note: RO had relayed to MH that he didn’t want to be considered for an officer position.
JB seconded the motion. All voted in favor of election.
Applications for Boards seats:
All Board members introduced themselves to Steve Keuch.
MH described the member structure: the term expirations stagger years.
8 members’ terms expire in June 2011: Crystal, Dale, Jane, Anne, Paul, Jared, Jecyn.
One at-large expires in June 2011.
One historic district member term expires in June 2011.
MH hopes that all reapply.
AS could re-apply to release her at-large seat, if needed.
MH explained the duties of the Board:
Advises the city.
Reviews renovation and demolition projects.
Schedules outreach and education via tourism, Preservation Days, movie night, etc.
Highway signs: CK reported that she received an email from MDT that they have the brown Bozeman historic district signs (for the highway) and plan to install them when the weather is
conducive. CK hopes this will be concurrent with installation of signs within the historic districts.
Concrete lampposts:
CK reported that the new ones should be installed this May.
Both BB and LD stated that they are interested in obtaining some of the old lampposts, and that Story Mansion might be as well.
CK to call Chuck Winne to see about getting old posts. CT asked to be called if any problems ensued.
Speakers/House Tours:
Neutra House (see footer) on S. Church: This should be toured in a few months, perhaps in lieu of the June meeting.
John DeHaas’ recent death was mourned. CK recommended that MH and AS write an editorial about his death, noting how instrumental he was in promoting historic preservation in Montana.
Policy & Planning Subcommittee Report: by LD.
Signs:
P&P will attend the next North 7th Urban Renewal Board meeting, hoping to open up channels of communication and to talk about the URB’s possibilities for keeping their signs.
MH asked all Board members to photograph their five favorite signs, which he’ll post on our website.
LD explained the intent of preparing guidelines for a sign ordinance and for working on a sign inventory.
It was agreed that it is hard to convey what makes a sign culturally significant - and that it can be a matter of taste – but that the conversation has to begin.
DM questioned if we were supporting good taste or common taste? He said that North 7th represents a span of time and sign tastes. Are we willing to act as the sign police? He feels
that education might be futile, because it will sanitize the roadway.
MH agreed that what DM is saying is congruent with the committee’s beliefs. The goal is to make the sign code be less restrictive, and to provide a vehicle for keeping the existing
signs.
The sign ordinance was adopted in 1992 with the intent to limit billboards and reader boards. Downtown now only has two billboards.
CT noted that the City demoted changes in the sign code from top priority to medium, so the City will review it within the next year.
CK noted that the North 7th trial run should hopefully identify issues and stumbling blocks.
LD stated that other historic district sign ordinances should be helpful.
JB stated that the goal is to preserve signs, but not to encourage false historicism with reconstructed signs.
Demolition by Neglect and Construction Bonds:
CT stated that the Planning Department is keen on adopting the International Maintenance Code. Then will see how well it addresses demolition by neglect.
CT will check with the City Commission and Manager, as CK had been asked not to work on the demo and bond issues. CT doesn’t see why the Board shouldn’t be working on it, in order to
be ready when the city is.
LD plans to invite Bob Risk to a meeting because he’s worked for cities with these ordinances. Or the committee will just give public comment at the commission meetings.
Tax Abatement:
P&P is working on the checklist.
LD cautioned all to be aware of the ordinance and its mandate. The reviews are to be based on the ordinance.
Next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 3 at 6:30 pm, at BB’s new office next to the Conoco Station on Main Street.
Education & Outreach Committee Report: CK read for RO.
The committee has decided to simplify their efforts and concentrate on the resource survey. Their next meeting will be a survey meeting.
May 11 presentation on tax credits: CK will invite various school board members.
Tours: DM has volunteered to write a walking tour of the cemetery, covering aspects not typically included: the military, landscape, etc.
Next meeting will be scheduled via email.
Staff liaison report:
COAs: Should reach 100 COA’s by the end of April; there are a lot of hail damage repairs being submitted.
A development group / hotel chain – was going to buy the Armory and tear it down for their development. They will look at the old Carnegie Library parking lot site instead.
The Rocky Mountain Rug Gallery building is empty.
The City has $150,000 of Preserve America funding for downtown. Board members are encouraged to think of worthy projects.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.
END OF MINUTES
Secretary: Lesley M. Gilmore