Committee Minutes
Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission
1405 First Avenue North
P. O. Box 13876
Grand Forks, ND 58208-3876
701-772-8756
Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2008
7:00 p.m.
City Hall
Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Caprice Benoit, Sharon Bures, Chuck Flemmer,
Gordon Iseminger, Ted Jelliff, Melinda Leach, Sandy Slater
Others: Kevin Severson, Red River Valley Community Action; Joyce Baker; Peg O’Leary
Gunderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.; a quorum was present.
Motion:
to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2008, meeting with the following correction: change 719 N. 6
th
Street to 719 N. 5
th
Street in all instances. (Flemmer, Leach)
Motion carries.
Red River Valley Community Action Agency
– Kevin Severson
406 N. 8
th
Street, built 1880 - The owner proposes to use a federally subsidized loan to raise the foundation and put a wood foundation in place. The building has no eligibility for the National Register. Severson indicated that the wood would be covered from the outside, showing either a brick or stucco finish.
Motion:
to concur with a determination of no historic properties affected by the proposed work at 406 N. 8
th
Street. (Jelliff, Slater)
Motion carries.
129 Seward Ave., built 1941 – The owner proposes to use a federally subsidized loan to replace eleven original windows with vinyl windows; install new vinyl basement windows; add a metal handrail to the rear steps; and complete various interior projects. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing element in the Riverside Historic District. A general discussion ensued, which examined the merits of wood windows versus vinyl and clarified the requirements for mending historic fabric when possible and replacing with in-kind materials when necessary if federal funds are involved. It was noted that the handrail is screened by a fence and replaces a handrail that had been removed previously.
Motion:
to concur with a determination of no adverse effect if the windows are replaced with new wood double-hung windows and wood basement windows; all new windows must match existing windows in size, type and design. (Slater, Leach)
Motion carries.
117 Chestnut Street, built 1918 – The
owner proposes to use a federally subsidized loan to replace fifteen original windows with vinyl windows; install new vinyl basement windows; replace the existing (non-original) front door with a new steel pre-hung unit; install insulation and sheetrock to the basement walls; and insulate the exterior walls from the outside with cellulose blow-in insulation. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing element in the Near Southside Historic District. The windows are in bad shape and the existing door is not original. The house is a stucco Craftsman bungalow. The stucco would be damaged from the holes created to blow in insulation.
Motion:
to concur with a determination of no adverse effect if the windows are replaced with new wood double-hung windows and wood basement windows; all new windows must match existing windows in size, type and design; new door must be Craftsman style; and holes may not be made in the stucco for insulating or other purposes. (Flemmer, Jelliff)
Motion carries.
Chair Report
– Marsha Gunderson
Belmont/Chestnut/Walnut Infill – Construction has begun on several lots in the 15
th
Avenue South area of these streets and an RFP for Walnut Place lots will close on July 31.
Coordinator Report
– Peg O’Leary
UND Nomination – Members conferred and decided that the Public Hearing would be held at the beginning of the next regular meeting: August 12, 2008. O’Leary will publicize the date. The contractor has agreed to change the beginning of the significant period to 1883 and will also include more information about Cable Pottery, lignite research and some of the details around bringing UND to Grand Forks and helping it to survive the lean finances of the 1890s.
County Fairgrounds Nomination – Upon return from the City Attorney’s office, the contract has been signed by the contractor and will be signed by the Mayor on July 9. The contractor has begun research and was in Grand Forks to take pictures of the structures last week.
Commission Appointments – At the July 7, 2008, City Council meeting Sharon Bures was appointed to the seat vacated by Dave Vorland and Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Melinda Leach, and Sandy Slater were reappointed to two year terms on the Historic Preservation Commission.
SHSND Community Conversation Date – The State Historical Society Historic Preservation division is holding a series of conversations in communities around the state. They are using the discussions to frame their long-term planning for the division and would like to visit Grand Forks in the next couple weeks. Members recommended the week of July 21, which would give more time to advertise the meeting. O’Leary will pass that information along.
MN Ave./4
th
Ave. S. MPO Study – Benoit serves on the Steering Committee and reported that the thrust of the proposal seems to be to remove all the Granitoid along this stretch, with the understanding that removal would improve the ride and the safety of the area. She said she does not feel they have shown that the area is unsafe; statistics appear to prove the opposite. While the ride is rougher, that also contributes to slowing traffic, which the proposal would attempt to do through several other measures, including raised medians, pedestrian crossing “bump outs,” and a traffic circle or other measure to change the intersection at 4
th
and Minnesota. Neighbors at the meeting maintain concerns for speeding through the area and tend to like the appearance of Granitoid, particularly if it is in good condition. Neighbors also liked markers that would identify the Historic District and a change in street lighting that would incorporate historic appearing fixtures with a more human scale and would better light the sidewalks.
Donor Reports – Members completed reports documenting time spent on work for HPC.
Near Northside Charette – Northside neighbors, city officials and members of various non-profit organizations have met twice to discuss methods of improving the neighborhood. Primary concerns are for improved play spaces, improved appearance of rental properties, a community gathering place, and safety issues.
Motion:
to adjourn. (Bures, Flemmer)
Motion carries.
Meeting adjourned.
9:00 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 12, 2008, Council Chambers, City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
signed
Peg O’Leary
Coordinator