HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHPCMinutes_2007_01_11
Brookings Historic Preservation Commission
January 11, 2007
A meeting of the Brookings Historic Preservation Commission was held on Thursday, January 11, 2007
at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall. Members present: Mary Bibby, Carrie Van Buren, Wayne Hexem, Jerry
McCollough, Alice Pittman, and Stephen Van Buren (arrived 4:17 p.m.). Shari Thornes, City Clerk,
was also present.
Chairman Van Buren called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
Agenda. Information about the "Safe Ride" program and 725 4th Street were added to the agenda. A
motion was made by Bibby, seconded by McCollough, approve the agenda as amended. All present
voted yes, motion carried.
Minutes. A motion was made by McCollough, seconded by Bibby, to approve the December minutes.
All present voted yes; motion carried.
Next monthly meeting. Thursday, February 1, 2007 at 4:00 p.m.
Preserve America. No report.
Update on Animated Sign Issue.
McCollough reported that the sign subcommittee met on January 8th and went to Daktronics to have a
presentation of what their signs can do, for the purpose of seeing what can be done to ameliorate any
adverse impacts of illuminated signs on the areas for which this review is taking place. The committee
is charged with reviewing illuminated signs for religious and institutional activities in residential areas
and the Central Business District.
The presentation began by addressing the business advertising advantages of such signage, stating that
the Daktronics illuminated signs are "like billboard application". Since their handout stated that they
could control the brightness, McCollough said he asked that they do that on the full size display they
had, "So that it would be acceptable if it was for a church across the street from your home" to, as their
handout stated, "...adjust brightness from dim to bright...". It was not possible for him to do this.
The Daktronics representative also made a black background with two messages scrolling across, one
with letters in blue lights and one with white lights (thin letters). The blue ones seemed acceptable, but
the white ones weren't. When asked to put other colors on, only green was acceptable. Red and amber
lights were still too bright. The representative said this was the dimmest they could get.
They tried a static color background with the main message (such as "First Baptist Church") and a
smaller scrolling or fading message. The color background was too bright. Messages that faded in and
out seemed more acceptable than those that scrolled across the sign.
McCollough's conclusions were two: 1) These signs, if permitted, should receive Board of Adjustment
review and approval because of the subjective nature of the colors, brightness and movement; 2)
Permission should be based on the classification of the street upon which they will be placed.
Relative to street classification, the following criteria are pertinent to decisions relating to illuminated
signs: a. number and candle power of street lighting; b. presence of traffic signalization; c. volume of
cars per hour (relative to headlights and illumination of tail/brake lights; d. uses other than residential
which are normally permitted.
In this regard, interior streets (widely spaced low intensity street lights, no traffic lights, low traffic
volumes, no non-residential uses other than religious or institutional) would not be acceptable locations
for such signs.
Collector streets such as Medary south of 6th St., and Orchard Street (widely spaced low intensity street
lights, no traffic lights, but higher volumes of traffic) might be acceptable locations for such signs, but
with restrictions. Such restrictions might require a black background, only blue or green letters, fading
rather than scrolling changes in the message, illumination ceasing after a certain hour, such as 10:00).
For arterial streets such as 8th, Main, 22nd (regular high intensity street light illumination, traffic signals,
high traffic volumes, non-residential uses permitted), Board of Adjustment review should be required.
The Central Business District was addressed. Dan Hanson stated that there is a feeling that Historic
Districts should be treated differently with modern signage, and that conflict should be avoided. The
implication is that these illuminated signs may not be acceptable in the CBD.
Someone asked if the restrictions made by the municipality could be programmed into the sign. The
answer was that they have the ability to do that, but there is no 100% guarantee that the sign owner
won't disable it through software.
McCollough said the subcommittee is scheduled to meet again next Monday at 5:00 to discuss this
issue.
(Van Buren arrived at 4:17 p.m.)
Tour for University Women's Week. The tour is confirmed for Thursday, June 14, 2007, from 1:30
to 3:00 p.m.
Central Residential Historic District—National Register District
Central Elementary / Museum Project. Thornes noted that the project to remodel the building will
only be reviewable if the school still owns it. It is the School District's intent to transfer ownership of
the building to Mr. Dale Larson and then lease back the school until the new school is built. Thornes
met with Dick Dempster, an architect retained by Mr. Larson, to review the project. He noted that
Mr. Larson is sensitive to the building's National Register status.
Brookings County 11.1 Review - Harvest Church. On December 13, 2006, the BHPC provided an
official comment on the project and on December 18th that comment was submitted to the State
Historic Preservation Office. Thornes distributed copies of a January 2, 2007 letter from the State that
agreed with the BHPC's findings and restated those findings in an official letter to the County.
Boever House (7th Avenue & 6th Street). McCollough noted that at the last BHPC meeting there
was a brief discussion about the fact that the Methodist Church has acquired the red house on 6th St.
(the Boever House) and intends to move it to another location. He said this raises concerns for the
future of the streetscape of one of the major entrances to the downtown - 6th Street.
McCollough said the character of Brookings is defined by its tree-shaded arteries leading to the city
center, lined with turn of the century homes of fine architectural styles. On 6th Street this begins east
of Medary and leads to the newly constructed bank building which is architecturally sympathetic to
Brookings' historical aesthetics (the gas station is an unfortunate exception and, hopefully, can be
replaced in the future with a more acceptable structure). The Boever House is a landmark anchoring
the west end of 6th Street's residential corridor and should remain in place.
In the recent past the Methodist Church was permitted to relocate other adjacent residences, but those
buildings were not of architectural significance, so no precedent should have been set which would
justify moving the Boever House. In those past meetings with church representatives the retention and
protection of architecturally significant structures was stressed, so it is dismaying to find that they don't
realize how important it is to preserve both their valuable church buildings and the historic residences
around them.
McCollough said in considering endangered historical features which should be protected, the 6th
Street corridor should be high on the list. This proposal shows that there needs to be more public
awareness of the threats to Brookings' historical future which could destroy the uniqueness which sets
us apart from so many other, mundane, small cities whose economic strength has been transferred to
outlying strip centers.
ACTION: Invite representatives of First United Methodist Church to the February meeting to
discuss the issue.
725 4th Street. Thornes reported that due to the restoration done on this property the State has
reclassified this as "contributing" in the Central Residential Historic District. The home is owned by
Rick and Joanie Holm.
Safe Ride Program. There is currently a transportation program operated by the Brookings Area
Transit Authority and an organization on campus that provides bus rides. The program may be
expanded to include a fixed route with specific stops. The installation of signage and benches has been
discussed. A few of the proposed stop locations are in historic districts. Installation of benches and
other amenities would be reviewable under 11.1.
Nominating Committee Report and Election of Officers. Hexem presented the following officer
slate on behalf of the nominating committee: McCollough as Chair and Stephen Van Buren as Vice
Chair. A motion was made by Hexem, seconded by Bibby, to adopt the slate as presented. All
present voted yes; motion carried.
DBI Representative. Alice Pittman agreed to serve as the BHPC representative on the DBI Board.
Calendar/Announcements/Correspondence/Communications
MainStreet News, Nov 06
Preservation Advocate, Winter 06
Preservation, Jan/Feb 07
Forum News, Jan/Feb 07
New Trust Representative
Membership - There is still one vacancy on the Commission. Interested parties have picked up
applications but none have been returned.
The 2007 National Trust conference will be held in St. Paul.
Meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes