HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHPCMinutes_2013_11_211
Brookings Historic Preservation Commission
November 21, 2013
A meeting of the Brookings Historic Preservation Commission was held on Thursday, November 21, 2013
at 5:00 p.m. in City Hall. Members present: Holly Fetzer-Fickler, Dennis Willert, Leah Brink, Mary Bibby
and Tom Agostini. Janet Gritzner and Les Rowland were absent. Shari Thornes, City Clerk, was also
present.
Chairperson Bibby called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. A motion was made by Willert, seconded by
Agostini, to approve the agenda. All present voted yes, motion carried. A motion was made by Fetzer-
Fickler, seconded by Agostini, to approve the October minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Next meeting: December 12th if needed; otherwise, January 9th @ 4 p.m. (Agostini will be absent)
Report on National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference. Rowland attended the 2013 National
Trust for Historic Preservation Conference in Indianapolis along with Jenn Brosz from SHPO. Tabled
until January when Rowland could attend.
6th Street (Main to Medary) Project. The Brookings City Council will discuss the proposed 6th Street
project at its November 26th meeting. They may also take action to send a letter to the Secretary of
Transportation regarding various concerns. The BHPC provided the City Manager and Mayor with the
following information for possible inclusion in that letter:
The Brookings Historic Preservation Commission is on record opposing the project as presently proposed.
One of the Commission’s missions is to protect and preserve our cultural landscape. Within that
landscape is the canopy of trees along Sixth Street between Main and Medary Avenues and the green
space provided in the boulevards. These would be significantly reduced by the Department of
Transportation plan.
Part of the setting of the historic district on the north and south sides of Sixth Street are the old-growth
trees that have been there since the neighborhoods were developed. Those plantings are part of the
overall design and character of the neighborhoods. Their removal would drastically change the nature of
the attractive thoroughfare now leading to the downtown area.
Moreover, the front facades of the houses in the proposed construction corridor have a consistent
setback distance from the street. Not only would the aesthetics of the front yards be reduced by a
widened road, it would bring traffic noise much closer to the buildings making them much less desirable
to live in. This will negatively impact the property values for these residences. As reference points, one
can look at 10th and 11th Streets in Sioux Falls and Mt. Rushmore Road in Rapid City to see firsthand the
impact to residential properties as a result of a road widening project.
Willert volunteered to attend the November 26th Council meeting to provide comments on behalf of the
Commission.
“Now You See It” Column. Bibby reported that the following column is scheduled to run in November.
Gritzner is working on the December column.
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Thornes has created a new city email for this program called historicpreservation@cityofbrookings.org
and Willert, Gritzner, Bibby, Thornes and Fezter-Fickler will receive emails.
Welcome to the NOW YOU SEE IT… OR DO YOU? column presented by the Brookings Historic
Preservation Commission and Downtown Brookings, Inc. Brookings is a beautiful city—part of its
character is in its many historic buildings. Join us in discovering them. A picture like the one shown
here presents an architectural feature on a recognizable structure or site in Brookings. Your challenge
will be to guess what and where it is! Location may be anywhere within the city limits of Brookings.
In addition, Downtown Brookings will post the same question on Facebook and its web page—and also
include it in its regular Flashback KBRK radio spots at 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Fridays.
A prize of a $10 gift certificate from TRENDZ will be given to the first person to correctly identify the site.
Send your answer to Brookingshistoricpreservation@gmail.com or call City Hall at 692-6281 or Downtown
Brookings at 690-4856. Provide your name and email address or other contact information.
The winner will be announced in a future REGISTER article which will also tell more about the site.
Have fun learning more about Brooking’s fascinating early history and development as we explore the
mysteries it still contains.
Historic Properties Reports:
o University Residential Historic District
o Formal comment on 11.1 Review for 605 Sixth Street. David and Sara Kneip, owners of 605
Sixth Street, have applied for a demolition permit for a house and garage located at 605
Sixth Street. The house is a contributing property and the garage is a non-contributing
property in the Brookings University Residential Historic District. The Kneip’s own a real
estate company located adjacent to 605 Sixth Street. They wish to remove the house and
garage for a 28’ x 40’ addition and additional parking.
The Commission was provided with the draft abbreviated case report and case report
standards for review. The BHPC was asked by the SHPO to provide official comment on the
attached case report. Response options:
(a) Agree with the findings of the case report and provide additional comments,
(b) Disagree with the findings of the case report and provide additional comments ; or
(c) Decline to comment on the findings of the case report;
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A motion was made by Willert, seconded by Agostini, to agree with the findings of the case
report. All present voted yes; motion carried.
o Commercial Historic District
o Pending 11.1 Review – 307 Third Street. Brian Gatzke has applied for a demolition permit
for 307 3rd Street, which is the former Brookings Locker Market, circa 1920s, located
adjacent to the Brookings Commercial Historic District. The owner purchased the property
with the intent of demolishing the structure. Plans include a 3 level building with mixed use
commercial retail on the main floor and loft-style apartments on the upper two levels. The
proposed timeline is completion in three years.
SHPO staff and Thornes toured the structure on 9/25.
The case report remains pending until such time as the applicant provides the proposed
plans and design of the new structure.
o Central Residential Historic District
• Pending 11.1 Review - 912 6th Street. Cokato, owner of 912 6th Street, has applied for a
demolition permit for the residence and garage located on this property. The building is
located in the Brookings Central Residential Historic District and is listed on the National
Register. The owner plans to remove the structure in order to construct a 40 foot
expansion to his gas station/convenience store located to the east. The design will be
similar to the existing commercial structure with access to the rear car wash provided on the
west lot line.
The case report remains pending until such time as the applicant provides the proposed
plans and design of the new structure.
Preservation Partners:
o Sustainability Council
• Posters. The Brookings Sustainability Council is developing a public education campaign
using Brookings leaders and local residents promoting various sustainability initiatives. The
ads will be used on websites, social media, email and other free venues. SDSU Marketing &
Communication is generating the design and photos. One of the posters will promote the
reuse of buildings and historic preservation. The BHPC is responsible to provide the
narrative for the poster that should include local statistics/facts, if available, and a narrative
about the photo.
The photos have been completed and are now waiting for poster design from University
Relations.
• Bob Yapp Workshop Update. The BHPC has been funded bring in Bob Yapp, a national
historic preservation consultant, to provide a multi-day preservation event with one day
dedicated to historic preservation seminars and three days for a “Window Restoration Boot
Camp.” The BHPC would like to partner with other local preservation-friendly organizations
to cross-promote the event.
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Mr. Yapp has been tentatively booked for May 1-4 in Brookings in conjunction with the
Sustainability Council’s Earth Day event and Downtown Brookings Inc.’s History and Garden
Festival.
Workshop Options:
• 1-day options: wood repair, windows, exterior painting and masonry
• 3-day in-depth window restoration
There was consensus with the May 1-4 dates and three 1-day workshops.
o Downtown Brookings Inc. (DBI).
• Brookings History & Garden Festival. DBI is planning a different format for the 2014 History
and Garden Festival to include historic walking tours of local businesses, celebration of the
Masonic Temple’s 120 birthday, geocaching, and gardening workshops.
• Trolley Rides in Central Residential Historic District. The trolley rides are scheduled for
Thursday, December 5th from 5-7 p.m. BHPC members were asked to help staff the starting
point/hot chocolate station at the Community Cultural Center. The Chamber suggested a
commission member act as a step-on guide giving details about the Central District. Willert
suggested Jerry McCollough, former BHPC Chair and tour giver. Bibby will try to contact
Jerry.
o State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Thornes will participate in a conference call on
November 25th to discuss the idea of a statewide CLG meeting next spring to be hosted in Brookings
or Huron.
Nominating Committee. Willert and Brink were asked to serve on the nominating committee and
bring forward a slate of officers at the January meeting
Draft December/January Agenda: Discussion on 2014 Goals & Objectives, Annual Reports, Nominating
Committee Report, Election of Officers
Announcements/Correspondence/Communications/Calendar
November 26th City Council Meeting, 6th Street Discussion, 6 p.m.
December 5th Mayor’s Holiday Party, McCrory Gardens Visitor Center, 5-7 p.m.
December 5th Central District Trolley Rides, 5-7 p.m.
January 31st National Park Service Annual Report Deadline
February 17th City Annual Report Deadline
April 3-5 State Historical Society Board of Trustees Meetings, Pierre
May 1-4 Bob Yapp Workshops
May 2-3 Brookings History & Garden Festival
July 16-20 National Alliance of Preservation Commissions, Philadelphia
Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes