HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHPCMinutes_2025_03_13Brookings Historic Preservation Commission
March 13, 2025 Minutes
A meeting of the Brookings Historic Preservation Commission was held on Thursday, March 13, 2025 in
the Brookings City & County Government Center. Members present: Janet Gritzner, Janet Merriman,
Matthew Weiss, Tom Thaden, Sandra Callies, Nathaniel Condelli, Paula Carson and Samuel Krueger. Also
present were Zeno Wicks and Ryan Miller, City Planner.
Call to Order
Weiss called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Approval of Agenda
Added to the agenda were discussions on a literature drop, street banners for 6th Street, a University
Residential Historic District block party and a sign for Lloyd Darnall.
A motion was made by Gritzner and seconded by Carson to approve the agenda as amended. All present
voted aye.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Merriman and seconded by Carson to approve the February 13, 2025 minutes. All
present voted aye.
Other Items & Reports.
Lloyd Darnall Sign
Zeno Wicks described the history of Lloyd Darnall's work as City Engineer including the
"Darnall Dips" that were designed for both drainage and traffic calming. Wicks believes there
is enough historical merit in the Darnall Dips for a historic sign somewhere in town similar to
historic monument signs found along highways.
The Commission discussed potential locations. Miller mentioned that a sign could not be
located within a right-of-way. A sign would need to be located outside of the right-of-way on
City or private property.
b. Subcommittee Updates
Survey
Gritzner stated that the dates of construction for homes in the area was provided by
staff. There are some discrepancies with the data. Gritzner is working on the final
document.
Merriman asked if this would be for a new district or an extension of the existing
Central Residential Historic District. Thaden mentioned that it could be either. Weiss
offered assistance and asked if a new name would be required.
Public Education
Merriman is working on welcome packets and would like to focus on a webpage.
Merriman would like to send out postcards once the webpage is ready. Merriman
would also like to begin getting walking tours into a digital version.
iii. Codes & Design
Weiss and Callies presented changes to the Comprehensive Plan at the March
Planning Commission meeting. The Planning Commission was interested in the
potential revisions. One commissioner raised a question about how many homes
could be lost before the district would be lost. Another question about GIS data and
publicly available maps was raised.
Miller described the next steps in the process. Staff will begin outreach to the
property owners impacted by the changes. A public hearing could be scheduled for
May or June based on the time it takes for initial public outreach.
6th Street Banners
Callies is interested in creating streetscape banners for streetlights along 6th Street in
the Central and University Residential Historic Districts. Callies mentioned that there
are Veterans banners and Christmas decorations hung at various times of the year
and these historic banners could be added to the rotation.
Miller mentioned that he inquired with the Parks Department and they would be
open to the idea as long as they were independently funded and designed to
property fit the light poles.
iv. Incentives & Partnerships
Weiss mentioned that the subcommittee helped promote the recently created
downtown incentive programs. A mailer with information was sent out to downtown
businesses.
c. CLG Grant Application
Weiss asked members to review the budget proposed by the Executive Committee.
Merriman states that she would like to add a budget item for an annual membership in the
Brookings Regional Builders Association. Callies will seek estimates for the proposed 6th Street
banners and would propose an additional budget item for the banners.
A motion was made by Merriman and seconded by Callies to approve the grant budget with
the addition of the BRBA membership and banner estimate gathered by Callies.
d. Brochures Distribution Updates
Carson has continued efforts to deliver brochures to various local and regional locations.
Preservation Month Planning
Merriman has spoken with Downtown Brookings and they are willing to help with a
scavenger hunt.
Kreuger will help coordinate the Bob Pengra model display at the library.
Thaden will explore possible newspaper articles.
f. Brookings Regional Builders Association
Merriman would like to consider an annual membership into the Brookings Regional Builders
Association. The fee is $395. Merriman has reached out to BRBA for more information on
what is included with the membership but has not yet heard back.
g. SD History Conference
Weiss asked if anyone is interested in attending this year's South Dakota History Conference.
Gritzner is interested but would like to know if there are others interested for carpooling.
Miller mentioned that early bird registration ends April 7. Miller mentioned that the
conference will be held during the May BHPC meeting date.
h. 2026 CLG Conference
Weiss mentioned that SHPO has asked for interest in hosting the 2026 CLG Conference.
Merriman would prefer hosting in 2028 with hopes that the Armory redevelopment project is
finished. Thaden mentioned that there are major local anniversaries in 2028 as well. Weiss
will respond to SHPO declining the 2026 conference.
i. Literature Drop
Carson has arranged a literature drop exchanging walking tour brochures with Vermillion,
Spearfish, Chamberlain, Valley Springs and Wilmot.
j. University Historic District Block Party
Callies mentioned that a block party will be held on June 21 on 7t" Street in the University
Residential Historic District. Callies suggested that the Commission could be involved by
helping with invitations as part of the CLG funding request.
k. Tour Request
Weiss mentioned that the Brookings School District has reached out about a possible
downtown tour for freshman students.
UDcomine Events
NAPC Webinar— Deconstruction vs Demolition —Thursday March 27, 12:00 PM.
Next Scheduled Meeting
• The next meeting will be Thursday, April 10, 2025.
Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
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Matt Weiss, Chair
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Ryan Miller, City Planner