HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHPCMinutes_2015_01_22Brookings Historic Preservation Commission
January 22, 2015 Minutes (amended)
A meeting of the Brookings Historic Preservation Commission was held on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at
4:00 p.m. in City Hall. Members present: Leah Brink, Mary Bibby, Dennis Willert, Les Rowland, Janet
Merriman, Janet Gritzner and Tom Agostini. Shari Thornes, City Clerk, was also present.
Chairperson Rowland called the meeting to order. Discussion regarding SDSU’s street vacation plan was
added to the agenda. A motion was made by Bibby, seconded by Brink, to approve the agenda. All
present voted yes, motion carried. A motion was made by Bibby, seconded by Brink, to approve the
minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 19th at 4:00 p.m.
Discussion and possible action on an 11.1 Review Case Report for 502 9th Avenue. The owners have
applied to construct a 4’ x 11’ 1 ½ story addition on the front façade of the house for a kitchen
expansion. The addition will be incorporated to the left of the front entry. The height and pitch of the
entry dormer will be altered by raising it to the level of the roof ridge. All original siding will be
removed and replaced with LP engineered wood siding.
The “Ethel Van Cleve House,” built 1943, is a contributing structure in the Central Residential Historic
District. It’s a fairly simple house. The proposal would essentially remove all character defining
features, which are the windows, entrance roof pitch, siding and façade. The perceived impact is that it
would damage or destroy the historic significance of the structure.
Rowland and Thornes met with the applicant at their property on 9/30/14 to review the project and to
recommend alternatives that would meet the Standards, eliminate the need for a full review and case
report and enable the owners to start the project this fall. Those recommendations included window
restoration rather than replacement, paint preparation and paint rather than removal and installation of
LP siding, and modification to the addition design to retain the center entrance.
At the December meeting, the Commission determined there was insufficient information in case report
to provide comment and BHPC requested additional information from the applicant on alternatives to
the addition and siding and voted to table action.
Since the last meeting, Rowland provided the owner with a proposed design that would be retain the
original entrance and would strengthen his proposal be more likely to be approved.
Rowland noted that it didn’t matter that there were other houses with similar designs and entries to
Miller’s design proposal. From the Historic Preservation Commission’s perspective, they are looking for
the distinct character of each house in the district. He noted there is a way to provide for an addition
while still retaining the home’s original form and character-defining features of horizontal fascia and a
pronounced entry.
Mr. Miller appeared before Commission indicating he was not willing to modify his proposal of the
addition design or siding removal. He had contacted local contractors and businesses was unable to
secure a long-term warranty on painting the original siding.
It was determined that the addition couldn’t be constructed to the north due to electrical services and
the garage or to the east due to the interior layout.
The Commission asked if he would be willing to compromise and recess the addition by 6” to give clear
definition to the entry. Miller said he was told it would cost more to recess rather than be flush due to
roofline and structure supporting wall. Rowland disagreed.
Miller said he wasn’t interested in the addition if he could not install new siding.
(Agostini arrived)
ACTION: A motion was made by Bibby, seconded by Willert, to disagree with the case report and
recommend a recessed front façade of at least 4” on the west side and original siding be maintained,
citing Standards 2, 5 and 6 for siding and Standard 9 and 10 for the character of the main entrance.
Standard #2: The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The removal of
distinctive materials or alteration of features, spaces, and spatial relationships that characterize
a property will be avoided.
Standard #5: Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples
of craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved.
Standard #6: Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather than replaced. Where the
severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature will match
the old in design, color, texture, and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features
will be substantiated by documentary and physical evidence.
“Standard #9: New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not destroy
historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The new
work will be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the historic materials,
features, size, scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its
environment.”
“Standard #10: New additions and adjacent or related new construction will be undertaken in
such a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic
property and its environment would be unimpaired.”
All present voted yes; motion carried.
DISCUSSION ON 2015-16 GOALS & OBJECTIVES AND PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION ON 2015-16 FUNDING APPLICATION.
Members discussed possible projects/topics for 2015/16 and provided staff with suggestions on
proposed grant projects for consideration in the next funding cycle. The 2015/16 National Park Service
funding cycle is from June 2015 to May 31, 2016, with extension options until 9/1/16. The funding
application will be due in March 2015.
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVIEW. The City Planning Commission is holding a series
of special meetings to review the current 2020 Comprehensive Plan. They have invited the BHPC to
send representative(s) to a meeting to provide information and answer questions related to the historic
resources in Brookings. Potential dates are: February 5 & 19, March 5 & 19, April 2. The Commission
requested March 5th and Rowland, Brink and Thornes will attend.
PROJECT/ ISSUE UPDATES & FINAL REPORTS:
Public Education Committee Report. The Committee circulated a draft mailing to be mailed to
property owners.
11.1 Review Process. At the last meeting, the Commission discussed the pros and cons of entering into
a MOU with the State of South Dakota to perform 11.1 reviews. The Commission requested a month
to consider all the issues before making a final decision.
Issues to consider include:
o Benefits and cons of a MOU verses continuing with the current process.
o Number of potential projects. 2012 & 213 permits in the district:
2012 – 13 Building Permits
2012 – 1 demolition permit
2013 – 6 Building Permits
o Standard meeting dates and times will be required
o Time of meetings would have to be at 4 p.m. or later to accommodate applicants.
o Frequency of meetings
o City Clerk staff time and availability.
o Subcommittees were discussed to review projects and meet with applicants; however,
since the last meeting Thornes has gotten feedback from other preservation staff
strongly advising against this practice.
o Adoption of a strict meeting protocols and process would be necessary and consistency
in applying the standards when making the decisions.
o A streamlined application process that could be handled by anyone providing a building
permit.
o Determining which projects types to review
o Defining an appeal process.
o Defining the final decision maker.
o Authorizing city staff to determine if projects are reviewable.
o Develop a training process and schedule with SHPO.
ACTION: A motion was made by Brink, seconded by Merriman, to not pursue MOU model at this time
and maintain status quo for current process for 11.1. All present voted yes; motion carried.
2015 Public Education Workshop. The BHPC has received $1,000 to host a series of workshops on the
Federal Income Tax Credit, State Property Tax Moratorium and Secretary’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
The Commission suggested a fall workshop. Thornes will contact SHPO staff.
Proposed Legislation. SD Representative Scott Munsterman is sponsoring the proposed legislative
change to 1-19B-3, pertaining to the composition of preservation commissions. Legislative Research
Council is drafting the bill. He has asked that the Commission line up individuals across the state to
provide testimony at the committee level.
1-19B-3, pertaining to composition of preservation commission--Residence--Terms of office. The
Historic Preservation Commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than ten members,
who shall be appointed by the governing body with due regard to proper representation of such
fields as history, architecture, urban planning, archaeology, paleontology, and law. All members of
the commission shall reside within the jurisdiction of the county or municipality establishing the
commission and shall serve for terms not to exceed three years, being eligible for reappointment as
shall be specified by the governing body. Residency requirements shall be as specified by the
governing body.
Mayor Reed also supports the proposal and requested the South Dakota Municipal League’s backing.
Mayor Reed serves on the SDML Board and the proposed bill was discussed that their December board
meeting.
Commission members will be asked to contact other jurisdictions with historic preservation
commissions asking for their support and secure individuals to speak on behalf of this bill.
PRESERVATION PARTNERS:
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). SHPO Reviewed Draft BHPC Publicity mailing. They will
work with BHPC to select the 2015 CLG conference date and incentives workshop. Thornes will contact
CLG chairs for input on the date and agenda topics. SHPO featured Brookings’ Bob Yapp Workshops on
our HPC website. They are also highlighting this project in their 5-year plan.
• February 1 - Deadline for Deadwood Fund Grant
• May 29-30 - SDSHS Annual History Conference in Pierre w/ SDSHS Board Meeting
• June 9-11th – SHPO Archaeology Camp for Kids
• July 7-9 – SHPO Section 106 Training in Pierre w/ the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation
Downtown Brookings Inc. (DBI). DBI asked if the BHPC would be interested in sponsoring a speaker at
this year’s History & Garden Festival on May 1-2. The Commission reviewed their list of projects and
other planned workshops and felt the timing wouldn’t work this year.
SDSU Street Vacation Request. Rowland had a phone conversation with Chad Kuecker, Confluence,
regarding the masterplan for the alumni center expansion. They have been checking into getting a
traffic study and will do so if necessary; however, the cost is quite expensive, approximately $28,000.
Kuecker wondered if SDSU agreed to keep Harvey Dunn Street open whether the Commission would still
require the study. SDSU would rather spend the funds on the project rather than a study. Rowland
requested informal input from the Commission. Some members were still interested in a traffic study to
determine the impact on the property owners to the west. Thornes will check with the City Engineer to
determine if they have the capability of obtaining traffic counts.
Meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes