HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHPCMinutes_2011_03_17Brookings Historic Preservation Commission
March 17, 2011
A meeting of the Brookings Historic Preservation Commission was held on Thursday, March 17,
2011 at 4:30 p.m. in City Hall. Members present: Ryan Hall, Tom Agostini, Janet Gritzner,
Mary Bibby, Les Rowland and Pam Merchant. Dennis Willert was absent. Shari Thornes, City
Clerk, was also present.
Vice Chairperson Rowland called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. (Bibby/Hall) Motion to
approve February minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried. The agenda was adopted as
printed.
Next Meeting: Thursday, April 14th @ 4:30 p.m.
New Business:
Mayor’s Awards for Historic Preservation. The BHPC reviewed and approved the draft press
release. Deadline for the public to nominate a property is April 8th. Members were asked to
email property addresses to staff by April 8th.
A new award format was suggested. Ideas suggested:
Rather than at the City Council meeting, present awards at a special reception on May
10th @ 4 p.m. (prior to the City Council meeting). Thornes noted that she will be out of
town that week.
The Children’s Museum of South Dakota (former Central Elementary School) was
suggested as a potential location because the Museum will receive an award. Schedule
coordination for the Mayor and Larson family would need to be done before finalizing a
date.
The SHPO director and staff should be invited to attend and speak. Preserve SD,
Preserve Brookings and DBI should also be invited.
Other possible nominees: Former Rose Ramey house
Historic Preservation Month Activities. This year’s theme for National Preservation Month
is “Celebrating America’s Treasures.” The Mayor’s Awards will be held in conjunction with
Preservation Month. No other special projects were identified.
Campus & Community Forum, March 23-Swiftel Center. Members were informed of the
March 23rd Forum and encouraged to attend.
Project & Issues Updates/Reports:
Report on meeting with University Officials. Bibby reported that she and Willert met with
SDSU President Chicoine's Executive Assistant Robert Otterson on Tuesday morning, March
15, 2011. Bibby stated that the Brookings Historic Preservation Commission is interested in
having ongoing dialogue with SDSU officials about matters of concern to the Commission.
This would not need to be formalized meetings but instead an awareness and communication
as future plans develop.
Willert said that historic districts are of importance to the community and to the University.
Discussion followed on SDSU's thinking with regard to providing enough on-campus housing
for freshmen and sophomores and making decent housing available to juniors and seniors.
One idea would be to have city inspections every three years, and the University would make
available lists of which properties have met inspection standards. Another list would indicate
which properties had refused inspection or failed to come up to recommended standards.
Bibby said that surprise had been expressed when suddenly the houses on 8th Street were all
gone to make way for a parking lot. Otterson responded that the City Council had toured those
houses with University officials before they were torn down and expressed agreement that
they should be razed. Otterson suggested that we work more closely with the City Council.
Regarding plans surrounding Sixth Street and campus Gateways, Otterson explained that
many ideas are being considered. A primary goal is to meet student needs not only with
housing but also with retail outlets.
He invited and urged us to attend the March 23 Futures Forum from 5-7 p.m. at the Swiftel
Center. He also suggested that we be in touch with Wes Tschetter and Steve Erpenbach who
are financial decision makers; i.e., follow the money.
Preserve America Signs:
Courthouse/Carnegie/1921/Central Sign - The Commission reviewed two design options for
this particular sign and selected Option #1 (not symmetrical). Bibby preferred Option #2.
Sign locations – Since Federal money is involved, a Section 106 review will be required prior
to installation. The State will need exact locations marked on a map to be sent to the Park
Service. Merchant volunteered to meet with the County Commission chair regarding
placement on the northwest corner of the Courthouse Square. Staff will meet with city
officials on the park and downtown locations. She will also contact the owner(s) of the
Seed District.
Staff Reports & Updates:
University Week for Women Annual Porch Tour – Merchant will contact University personnel
to inquire about this year’s plans.
Legislative
o HB1099 (the bill about adding definitions into SDCL 1-19B and amending 1-19B-62)
– This bill was passed unanimously by both the House and Senate and was signed
by the Governor on March 3, effective July 1st.
o HB1248 – Extends the Tourism Promotion Tax. The original bill intended to make
this tax permanent. The House passed it but the Senate passed it with an
amendment adding a new sunset clause. The House didn’t concur with the Senate
amendment so it went to conference committee where the tax was extended for
another two years to July 1, 2013. In addition to supporting Tourism and the Arts,
the promotion tax also supports our Archaeological Research Center and starting
July 1 will also support our museum staff.
o State Historic Preservation Program Budget – No specifics yet on how the other
cuts will impact their operations. Despite the addition of the tourism tax revenue for
the museum staff, the SDSHS as a whole will still have about a $140,000 (or about
7%) cut.
Preservation Leadership Training Application (PLT) – An application is being prepared for
Rowland. The Mayor has submitted his letter of support. Application deadline is April 1st.
History & Garden Festival Co-Sponsorship, April 29-30 – The BHPC is confirmed to co-
sponsor a stained glass restorer’s workshop at the festival.
Training – The June facilitated training needs to be rescheduled. Staff will advise of new
potential dates.
Preservation Partner Reports:
Downtown Brookings Inc. – Rowland reported that DBI hopes to hire a half time director for the
program and is currently finalizing the job description.
Preserve Brookings – No report.
Preserve South Dakota – No report.
State & National Register of Historic Preservation Properties & Districts:
Central Residential Historic District
Contributing status re-evaluation of post-modern structures in existing districts – SHPO
agrees there is a strong enough "Contributing" percentage to try to persuade the Park
Service to accept an expanded district. The first step in this process is the local
groundwork. They need the BHPC to visit with the homeowners that would potentially
have their property flipped from NC to C and gauge whether the majority of property
owners would support this nomination update. If a majority objected, SHPO would not
pursue it. If the local groundwork determines that there is broad support for the update,
then Brookings needs to notify the SHPO to proceed with editing/updating process for the
nomination.
The BHPC agreed that personal contact with property owners would be more desirable
than a letter. Commission members will divide the list of property owners to contact.
Thornes will email the list of owners and talking points to Commission members.
Announcements/Correspondence/Communications/Calendar
March 31st National Park Service Grant Deadline
April 1st PLT Application Deadline
April 29-30 History & Garden Festival
May 13 Website content deadline
May 20-21 150th Anniversary of Dakota Territory
June 11-18 Basic PLT at Woodlawn in Alexandria, VA
Draft April Agenda: Preservation Month Activities, Mayor’s Award, Porch Tour
Meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes