HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHPCMinutes_2011_01_20Brookings Historic Preservation Commission
January 20, 2011
A meeting of the Brookings Historic Preservation Commission was held on Thursday, January
20, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. in City Hall. Members present: Ryan Hall, Janet Gritzner, Dennis Willert,
Mary Bibby, Les Rowland and Pam Merchant. Tom Agostini was absent. Shari Thornes, City
Clerk, was also present.
Chairperson Willert called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. (Merchant/Hall) Motion to
approve 12/07/10 minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried. (Bibby/Hall) Motion to
approve the 12/21/10 minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Next Meeting: Thursday, February 10th @ 4:30 p.m.
New Business
Nominating Committee Report / Election of Officers. Nominating committee members
Gritzner and Bibby presented the following slate of officers for consideration: Willert for Chair
and Rowland for Vice Chair. (Hall/Merchant) Motion that nominations cease and unanimous
ballot be cast for the slate of Willert and Rowland. Motion Carried.
National Trust Conference Report. Bibby submitted the following written report on her
experiences at the 2010 National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference in Austin, Texas,
October 27-30.
“The 2010 Conference sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Austin, TX, was both informative
and helpful. Had it not been for bad weather and flight delays, it no doubt would have been even more productive.
Our 8 a.m. departure for Austin from the Sioux Falls airport on October 27 b ecame an 8 p.m. departure for Dallas
where we stayed overnight and proceeded to Austin on the morning of October 28.
Because of a 7 a.m. flight out of Dallas, it was still possible to reunite with our luggage, check into the convention
hotel, the Austin Hilton, freshen up, register for the Conference, and attend a 10:45 a.m. session. The subject was
"Everyone Wants to Live Within Walking Distance: What Does this Mean for Preservation?" Participants were
Mary Means of Mary Means and Associates; David Dixon, an architect with Goody Clancy; and Roberta Gratz, an
Urban Critic, Journalist, and Consultant.
Means pointed out that Main Street projects have to convince retailers that profits can be made and that they
should stay. Ironically, new areas are being developed that recreate the Main Street "feel."
Dixon spoke to the issue of density and a changing America. He said real estate markets are shaping this change
and creating new paradigms and new responsibilities. He posed the question of why is our cul ture changing so
rapidly. From 1945-1999 there was a vast housing market for homes near a golf course with big back yards and
homogeneous neighborhoods. The mass market sought the countryside which in turn affected transportation.
People now are wanting Main Streets and the urban scene. There are fewer people with children in the household --
only 23%, and people are beginning to prefer being within walking distance of amenities. Consequently, there is an
increase in the value of historic neighborhoods.
He cited the example of New Orleans which began to turn around economically when young people moved in.
There was more small lot urban housing in demand and a greater value in walkable neighborhoods. The sprawl of
yore had become too expensive.
Dixon listed five new paradigms:
1) Diversity
*Two-thirds of population growth into the 2030's will be minority
2) Main Streets
*1,000-2,000 units within a 10-15-minute walk
3) Sustainability
*Lifestyle with lower energy costs
4) Access to healthier lifestyles
*Walkability, e.g.
5) Need to attract talent
*Skilled workers
In addition to New Orleans, he cited Boston, Wichita, and Columbus as having had some success in preserving
downtown areas. He advised us to "Love thy out -of-scale neighbor, "Learn to love thy developer," and "Love thy
Main Street."
The next speaker, Roberta Gratz, talked extensively of Jane Jacobs' books. Dixon said Jacobs had been thirty years
ahead of her time.
The Local Preservation Commissions luncheon was an opportunity to meet other members of Local Commissions
around the country and to participate in the National Association of Preservation Commissions Annual Meeting.
We also heard from an excellent speaker on "Ninja Preservationism: Tough Strategies for To ugh Times" who
stressed the importance of fortitude in promoting preservation.
That evening we enjoyed a Candlelight House Tour of the lovely Judges' Hill Neighborhood and a look at 12 historic
homes. They were a stylebook of Greek Revival, Four Square, Victorian, Arts and Crafts, and Mid-Century modern.
Friday's Stewardship Luncheon featured Jane Karotkin who was a force in the restoration of the Texas Governor’s
Mansion following a devastating 2008 arson. Very little of it could be salvaged but with a $22 million appropriation
from the legislature and millions more in private fund raising, the Mansion will once again be the beautiful home
used since the days of Sam Houston.
That afternoon's session explored "What Happens When Dates Don't Matter?" refe rring to the 50-year age
requirement for most historic buildings. Brian Goeken from Chicago and Amy Guthrie of Aspen, CO, told of efforts
their communities have made in preserving properties that are less than 50 years old.
The closing Plenary Session on Saturday morning was held in the gorgeous historic Paramount Theatre. Jean
Chavez opened with a few beautiful Argentinean songs and we would have enjoyed hearing more. The main
speaker was Dr. Juan Hernandez who spoke of melding the cultures of America and Mexico. He was born and
raised with an American mother and a Mexican father and praised the benefits derived from being a part of both
cultures. He urged cultivating rather than deploring the mixing of the two.
Next, we were invited to attend the 2011 Conference to be held in Buffalo, NY, on October 18-22.
And then the trip home. This time there were no problems. No bad weather or delays and a safe arrival. I very
much appreciated the opportunity to attend this event. Mary Bibby”
Review & Update of Goals & Objectives for 2011. The Commission reviewed a draft 2011
public education goals and work plan for inclusion in the National Park Service 2010 annual
report. Staff was asked to insert applicable State goals for review at the February meeting.
Initial discussion of possible 2011/2012 grant projects . The Commission discussed projects
and priorities in the next grant cycle - June 2011 to September 2012. They reviewed previous
goal setting retreat documents, their Preservation Plan, the Lo cal Register/District Action Plan
and the State’s 2011-2015 goals and objectives. After additional discussion and prioritization
at the next meeting, staff will prepare a grant application based on Commission’s priorities,
state funding availability and state’s funding priorities. Applications are due by March 31st.
Funding award and release is typically in June.
The Commission’s 2010/2011 National Park Service grant will remain open through Sept. 2011.
Projects remaining include the facilitated goal setting retreat, a Local Register/District
Handbook for Commissions and a Local Commission training session.
2011 Preservation Leadership Training (PLT) - June 11-18 at Alexandria, VA. The National
Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Preservation Leadership Training (PLT),” is a week-long,
intensive ‘boot camp’ for historic preservation organizations ’ staff and volunteers. Class size is
limited to 40 with a competitive application process. A letter of recommendation from the
Mayor is required for each applicant. Willert attended the 2009 PLT in Portland, Maine and
Gritzner attended 2010 PLT in Deadwood, SD.
PLT is a fundable item and falls within the Commission’s ongoing continued training and
development goals:
A. Attend mandatory annual state training sessions. (Commission/Staff)
B. Attend bi-annual National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Conference.
(Commission/Staff)*
C. Participate in new member orientation process. (Commission/Staff)
D. Seek ongoing professional and technical training through professional publications,
preservation related materials, video, etc. (Commission/Staff)
E. Maintain enrollment as members of preservation organizations * (State Historical
Society, Preserve SD, National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Main Street
Organization, National Alliance of Preservation Commissions, Preservation Law Forum).
Seek ways to share professional journals and other materials with city officials,
community attorneys and interested citizens. (Commission)
F. Conduct training for commission members on amended historic preservation ordinance
and the local register process.
G. Send one member per year to National Trust sponsored Preservation Leadership
Training (PLT Boot camp).
Merchant and Rowland expressed interest in the 2011 training. Funding is dependent on the
BHPC and SHPO’s annual priorities and availability.
History & Garden Festival Co-Sponsorship, April 29-30, 2011. The Commission agreed to co-
sponsor a workshop at this year’s event. Topic/speaker selection will be finalized at the
February 10th meeting. One suggestion was to contact Sherry DeBoer at the SD Humanities
Council for ideas. A speaker idea was Stacy Newcomb Weiland, Sioux Falls State Theater
Fundraising Chair, about downtown revitalization and the Theater restoration. Members were
asked to email any ideas to staff before the next meeting.
Discuss dates and format for Facilitated Goal Setting Retreat. Members reviewed schedules
for compatible dates in April, May or June for a day-long facilitated goal setting retreat and an a
day-long local commission training session. The only dates that worked for all involved were
June 20-24. However, the volunteers were not available for two consecutive days. Staff will
check with the consultant about the June date and splitting the activities into two trips.
South campus plans report by Gritzner. Gritzner attended the January 4th City Planning
Commission to learn more about the “south campus plans” agenda item. A subcommittee has
been assigned to analyze the current zoning and develop additional commercial and business
zones in the area north of 6th Street, east of Medary and south of 8th Street.
Contributing status re-evaluation of post-modern structures in existing districts. The
Brookings Central Residential District nomination was written in 1993. The National Register of
Historic Places nomination’s “period of significance” for the Central District was 1884 - 1943.
Thornes was contacted by a new property owner in the District with interest in a tax project for
a postwar house. In response, SHPO has agreed to evaluate buildings in the Central District
from the mid to late 40s and 50s to see if the majority would be eligible for an extended
“period of significance” in the National Register listing. They f eel a majority or super majority
would need to be contributing to justify a district amendment. State staff will be in Brookings
on February 1st to take pictures, conduct additional documentation and evaluate the following
properties:
Numbers of Primary Buildings By Decade: 1880s – 10; 1890s – 15; 1900s – 21; 1910s – 36;
1920s – 9; 1930s – 12; 1940s – 10; 1950s – 5; 1960s - 2?; 1970s – 0; 1980s – 1; 1990s - (written
in 1993);
1940s:
704 Fourth St. (1942) NC
817 Fourth St. (1941) C
609 Fifth St. (1942) C
615 Fifth St. (1943) C
709 Fifth St. (1949) NC
914 Sixth St. (post-45 Amoco) NC
516 Eight Ave. (1947) NC
416 Ninth Ave. (1943) C
502 Ninth Ave. (1943) C
525 Ninth Ave. (1949) NC
1950s
817 Fifth St. (1956) NC
922 Fifth St. (1950) NC
310 Seventh Ave. (1951) NC
524 Eighth Ave. (1953) NC
415 Medary Ave. (1954) NC
1960s
1. 502 Eighth Ave. (1968) NC
2. 417 Ninth Ave. ("1964 moved" [meaning....?]) NC
Project & Issues Updates/Reports:
Preserve America Signage Revisions. Final revisions were distributed to the members for
review. Comments will be needed immediately.
Update on City Website Redesign. The City of Brookings hired CivicPlus for a complete
redesign the city’s website to include incorporation of the city’s new branding images.
Deadline for all content will be April. The new website will go live on July 22nd.
National Register Properties & Districts:
Brookings Commercial Historic District
Downtown Brookings Inc. (DBI) Report – Willert reported John Seward, DBI Director, will be
heading up Rapid City’s new downtown master plan project. Former DBI director Doris
Roden has agreed to return on a part-time, hourly basis.
11.1 Review Pending - Front Street Realignment – Staff advised an 11.1 review is expected
on the city’s proposed Front Street Realignment project.
Announcements/Correspondence/Communications
H. Horace Sr. and Cornelia Fishback House at 1001 Sixth Avenue officially listed on the
National Register of Historic Places
City/County Governmental Center 11.1 Review has been finalized
Calendar
January 20th 2011 South Dakota Historic Preservation Advocacy Day
Feb. 15th City Annual Report Deadline
March 31st National Park Service Grant Deadline
May 20-21 150th Anniversary of Dakota Territory
June 11-18 Basic PLT at Woodlawn in Alexandria, VA.
Draft February Agenda: Annual Reports, Grant Application, Preservation Month
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes