HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHPCMinutes_2014_04_031
Brookings Historic Preservation Commission
April 3, 2014
A meeting of the Brookings Historic Preservation Commission was held on Thursday, April 3, 2014 at
4:00 p.m. in City Hall. Members present: Holly Fetzer-Fickler, Janet Gritzner, Leah Brink, Mary Bibby,
Dennis Willert and Les Rowland. Tom Agostini was absent. Shari Thornes, City Clerk, was also present.
Vice Chairperson Fetzer-Fickler called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.. A motion was made by Bibby,
seconded by Willert, to approve the agenda. All present voted yes, motion carried. A motion was made
by Willert, seconded by Gritzner, to approve the March minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Next meeting: Thursday, May 15th at 4:00 p.m.
CENTRAL RESIDENTIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT
11.1 Review - 912 6th Street. Tom Bozied, owner of 912 6th Street, has applied for a demolition permit
for the residence and garage located on this property. The buildings located in the Brookings Central
Residential Historic District, but are both are noncontributing structures. 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.
Mr. Bozied presented his proposal at the March meeting; however, the Commission tabled action until
the applicant provided additional information on the new structure design, clarification on the setback
and variances required including landscaping, and pictures.
Bozied said he learned that a 40 foot buffer is required between his business and the neighboring
residential property to the west.
The house is located on a 60 foot lot and he can’t think of any way to repurpose the house onsite due to
parking constraints.
Willert noted that the house has served as a noise and light buffer to other houses to the west. The
Commission suggested the applicant provide landscaping and fencing to control the light pollution and
noise.
Bozied said the light canopy will use LED bulbs focused downward, flush and directional. He noted
another example of this type of light at BP near the interstate.
There was discussion about curving the paving to soften the area, but he said it’s hard to maintain.
COMMERCIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT
Masonic Temple. Rowland distributed a draft design plan that would install original sized first floor
windows, rehab the second floor windows, recreate the turret, and remodel the first floor interior. The
owners are working with Clark Drew Construction on this project and are on a short timeline trying to
get a tenant in by June 1st.
INDIVIDUALLY LISTED
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11.1 Review for 423 8th Street (garage) – Pending. Bob and Pat Fishback have applied for a demolition
permit for a garage located at 423 8th Street. The property at 423 8th Street is an individually listed
property on the National Register of Historic Places. Although, the barn/garage is not listed as a
contributing feature for this nomination, an 11.1 review is still required. Formal notification to SHPO is
pending.
National Alliance of Preservation Commission Conference. The BHPC received funding to send staff
and one member to the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Conference in Philadelphia from
July 16-20. However, staff is not able to attend due to scheduling conflicts. Anyone attending on
behalf of the BHPC will be required to attend sessions pertaining to local register district commission
training. They will also need to provide detailed verbal and written reports on the sessions. Brink and
Gritzner are tentatively planning to attend. Thornes needs final confirmation by March 21st.
Volunteer Coffee with Mayor Reed. Mayor Reed is hosting the third annual City Volunteer Leadership
Coffee on May 8 and May 16 with all city volunteer board, committee, council and commission chairs
and vice chairs. His goal is to provide information on city issues and seek input from all groups. This
will also be an opportunity to bring forward an issue or concern from respective groups.
Commissioners suggested the Preserve America signs, 6th Street widening and demolitions on campus as
topics to discuss.
PROJECT & ISSUE UPDATES:
Sustainability Posters. Thornes distributed suggested “tag lines” for the two posters. The
Commission selected their favorites, which are underlined.
“The Greenest Building is the One Already Built.”
“When we reuse an historic building, we’re recycling the whole thing!”
“Tearing down one small home in your neighborhood wipes out the entire environmental benefit
of recycling 1,344,000 aluminum cans.”
“100% of the preservation movement advances the cause of the environment.”
“Sustainability means stewardship. There can be no sustainable development without a central
role for historic preservation.”
“One-fourth of material in landfills today is from construction debris, and much of that is from
demolition of existing buildings.”
“Historic buildings outlast new construction. Life expectancy for many contemporary buildings
is 30-40 years, considerably less than the life expectancy for the average restored or
rehabilitated building.” (This needs to be shortened.)
“Development without a historic preservation component is not sustainable.”
“Historic preservation is, in and of itself, sustainable development.”
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3D Laser Scanning. Sara Lum plans to contact the owners of the Sexauer Seed complex, understanding
that these aren’t structures to be dismantled, but it would be amazing places to scan. She also
suggested these visualization materials may help anyone trying to solicit funding to preserve the
structures.
PRESERVATION PARTNERS:
Bob Yapp Workshop
• Location Options. Twelve homes were nominated by owners as workshop locations.
Rowland and Thornes have toured 5 and will finish their review next week. Preference will be
given to a location that could be used for all three workshops.
∗ 728 Main Avenue (Kyle Fergen) – windows, wood repair, has garage
∗ 903 3rd Avenue (Kevin Grunewaldt) – paint, windows
∗ 316 Medary Ave (Kevin Grunewaldt)
∗ 202 6th Street (Dorothy Ishol) - windows, siding, has garage
∗ 728 6th Avenue (Natasha Penner) Paint & exterior wood
∗ 821 9th Street (Greg Pearson)
∗ 1125 5th Street (Ashley Ragsdale) Windows
∗ 502 6th Avenue (Jeff and Heidi Fischer) paint, windows
∗ 727 Main Avenue (Kristi Tornquist) windows
∗ 802 5th Street (Eileen & Steve Binkley)
∗ 321 8th Street (George & Julie Hamer) windows, paint, wood
∗ 929 8th Avenue (Rich Widman)
∗ 908 5th Street (Laine Evenson) windows, wood
• Location Evaluation Checklist. Thornes developed a criteria checklist that is being used to
evaluate each location.
• Waivers. The City Attorney created waivers that participating property owners will be required
to sign.
• Publicity. Promotion of the one day workshops and the classroom sessions will include email
and direct mail to CLGs, ads in the Shopper 2X, 3/17, 3/31, 4/7 (if needed) and Brookings
Register, utility bill insert on 3/31, posters, government channel, website, social media and radio
spots (if needed).
• Event Assistance. There are a number of logistical tasks that need to be accomplished before
and during the events. Thornes will email a list of tasks and ask for volunteers.
• Sunday Workshop Topics.
∗ Noon - Paint It Right! How to get a 12 to 15 year, cost effective paint job for your historic
house. You can hire it done, never lift a finger and do it twice in 24 to 30 years for about the
same price of a competent vinyl siding job that will last 15 years. 1 to 3 hours with Q & A,
props & handouts.
∗ 2 pm - Getting Shellacked or Innovative Woodwork Finishing & Refinishing - Safe and
efficient ways to remove old paint and natural finishes from woodwork. 1 hour with Q & A
and props.
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∗ 4 pm - Energy Efficiency for Old Houses & Buildings - Just because it's shiny and new does
not mean it will work in your old house or building. This seminar dispels the myths and
addresses how old houses were designed . Bob talks about what retro-fits for energy
efficiency actually work as well as paybacks. Insulation, air flow, weather stripping,
windows, geo thermal, solar and wind are all topics of discussion.
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
• Statewide CLG Meeting – May 29th . The Statewide CLG Meeting will be held on Thursday,
May 29th in Pierre, SD. Travel expenses are reimbursable for anyone wishing to attend including
hotel expenses for anyone wishing to drive up the day before. Members are asked to submit
their completed registration forms to Shari not later than April 4th.
• Recent AG Opinion on SDCL 1-19A-11.1. The Commission reviewed the newly written AG
opinion on the 11.1 review law. Thornes met with the City Attorney on March 11th to discuss
possible implications. A more thorough discussion of this issue will be scheduled on the April
agenda. Thornes highlighted the following key points:
• Building permits are required by law to be reviewed.
• The law pertains to any governmental entity issuing a permit of any kind.
• It requires local governments to extend certain protections to historic properties listed on
national, state or local registers.
• Municipalities and local preservation commissions are required to apply the state
administrative standards to reviews performed pursuant to SDCL 1-19A-11.1.
• Are NOT to issue a permit for any project that would encroach upon, damage or destroy a
designated property if there is a feasible and prudent alternative that would prevent such
encroachment, damage or destruction.
• The applicant bears burden of proving that the conditions for the permit have been met.
They must show absence of feasible and prudent alternatives and appropriate planning to
minimize harm.
• Applicant must consider ALL reasonable alternative plans, not just the least expensive
option.
• Any determination of existence or non-existence of feasible and prudent alternatives must
be supported by sufficient facts.
• Project opponents can suggest alternatives, but those suggested alternatives must be
supported by sufficient facts to indicate they are feasible and prudent.
• Cities have both the authority and duty to deny a permit for any project adversely affecting
an historic property if this a feasible and prudent alternative that will eliminate or mitigate
the adverse impact. Project may not proceed.
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• A proponent’s proposed use of the historic property is relevant, though not necessary
determinative, consideration.
• Alternative need not necessarily be compatible with the proposed described in the project
application (i.e. scaling back, different use, integrating old into new construction, selling).
• An alternative need not afford the highest or most profitable use to be prudent, but is
prudent so long as it provides some viable economic use for the projected property.
• Hardship does not encompass increased restoration or rehab costs caused by an owner’s
neglect of basic maintenance and repair.
Thornes said the Commission’s decision making process regarding 11.1 recommendations will
need to be clearly defined, factual and utilize a standardized method of applying the Standards.
All members will be provided with supporting material for making those decisions. Information
will be available online and in manual form. A brochure for applicants will also be created that
provides information about the process and the online links for the Standards. Thornes has
contacted SHPO to provide training on the Secretary of Interior Standards for Design and
Identifying and Evaluating Potential Adverse Effects to Historic Properties.
Thornes said there are a number of questions that need further explanation by the AG. There
is disagreement about who should prepare the case report, the applicant or staff.
Sioux Falls and Rapid City have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding regarding 11.1
review that defines types of projects that can be reviewed by Preservation Commission staff and
which ones require a full review. Thornes distributed a draft MOU for Brookings for review and
action at the April meeting. Of note, the definition of “additions” needs to be further defined
and discussed.
• Resumes. The National Park Service requires membership resumes along with the annual
funding application. Members are asked to submit resumes to Thornes not later than March
21st.
Announcements/Correspondence/Communications/Calendar
April 3-5 State Historical Society Board of Trustees Meetings, Pierre
May 1-4 Bob Yapp Workshops
May 2-3 Brookings History & Garden Festival
May 8 @ 5 pm Volunteer Coffee with Mayor Reed
May 16 @ 8 am Volunteer Coffee with Mayor Reed
May 29 Statewide CLG meeting – Pierre, SD
July 16-20 National Alliance of Preservation Commissions, Philadelphia
Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes