Committee Minutes

Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission
1405 First Avenue North
Grand Forks, ND 58203
701-772-8756
Minutes
7:00 p.m.
May 25, 2004
Myra Museum, 2405 Belmont Road

Present: Marsha Gunderson (Chair), Dave Beach, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Ted Jelliff, Melinda Leach, Randy Lee, Rolf Ottum, Ken Polovitz, Dale Sickels
Others: Curt Siewert, Office of Urban Development (OUD); Peg O’Leary

Motion: to approve the minutes of April 27, 2004. (Jelliff, Polovitz)
Motion carries.
Motion: to approve the minutes of May 11, 2004. (Polovitz, Leach)
Motion carries.

1508 Lewis Boulevard Covenant Review
O’Leary explained that Wayne and Maureen Riley were out of town and unable to be present. They are the new owners of the home, which is being moved to a lot farther north on Lewis Blvd. The front porch is actually a deck like structure that is not original to the house and has to be removed for the move. The Rileys would like to replace it with a poured concrete stoop of the same dimensions. Commissioners had several questions about the appearance of the concrete (stained, dyed, patterned, solid or hollow, footed or floating). It was decided to table the discussion until the Rileys could be present to answer the questions. It was understood that this would not delay construction.

Promenade Affordable Housing District – Curt Siewert
Grand Forks Housing Authority is proposing a 127 unit housing development between North 53rd Street and North 55th Street on either side of 8th Ave. North. CDBG and/or HOME funds may be used to fund the development. The area has always been farmed. As part of the environmental assessment, Siewert requested concurrence on “no historic properties affected.” Leach expressed concern that archeological testing has not been done on the area. Members decided they would need more information on the archeological potential before a determination could be rendered.
Motion: there is insufficient information at this time to determine whether historic properties will be affected by the development. (Sickels, Ottum)
Motion carries.

123 Chestnut – Curt Siewert
Easter Seals/Goodwill North Dakota is purchasing this house for rehabilitation. A wide variety of exterior work is proposed including closing up the bathroom window, installing vinyl window inserts, installing an egress window on the street side of the house, and general repair to the house and garage. Members expressed concern with removal of the bathroom window and the vinyl window replacements, and would prefer to see the egress window on a less visible elevation. The matter was tabled; Siewert will convey concerns and Easter Seals will have an opportunity to address them and resubmit.

Long Term Planning
Gunderson reviewed some of the previous planning discussion. She also noted that our previous plan broke items down into short- and long-term projects. General discussion revolved around the following subjects:
§ Historic Districts
§ Do we continue to focus on districts?
§ How do we identify them?
§ How do we prioritize them?
§ The UND survey is done; should we meet with UND about establishing a district?
§ Surveys
§ Resurvey Riverside
§ Survey Near North Side?
§ Survey south of 13th Ave. S.?
§ Are we looking for districts?
§ Are we looking for newly 50 year old properties?
§ Are we looking for endangered properties?
§ Are we looking for hidden properties?
§ Can we get grants for surveys?
§ Will we have to look at breaking into sub-groups and surveying areas ourselves?
§ Individual Properties
§ Develop a plan of action for addressing endangered properties.
§ Education
§ Get preservation information to people who may be affecting historic homes.
§ Provide UND with examples of universities that have embraced their historic buildings.
§ Utilize media: PSAs, brochures, speaking engagements, Town Square kiosk.
§ Work with home improvement centers to promote preservation oriented workshops.
§ Encourage preservation on a neighbor by neighbor basis; adopt a “home party” strategy.
§ Column in the Herald – need to meet restraints of the paper; we can’t start and stop; we’d need to work ahead so we could meet deadlines; would have to be well done so it would develop a readership.
§ Brochures:
§ For self-tours and guided tours
§ For the Near Southside District
§ A more localized brochure to give to historic homeowners that would encourage preservation and help with or direct them to places to find appropriate methods of rehabilitation.
§ Develop a website that would address a number of issues including:
§ Preservation education
§ HPC work since the flood
§ Links to preservation sites
§ Linked to Grand Forks site, County site, State site
§ Info on historic district
§ Info on NRHP buildings
§ Granitoid
§ Feedback
§ Granitoid
§ Reintroduce the idea of reducing the amount of Granitoid listed on the Register and work with the State to finally resolve the Granitoid issue.
§ Try to get some trolley tracks uncovered in the 2nd Ave. S. area and document that and the Granitoid in a small park in the area.
It was decided that O’Leary would put all the suggestions into a format from which the Commissioners could prioritize activities for the next few years. The plan will also be reviewed and updated annually.

Almonte Infill Update – Rolf Ottum
The Almonte Infill committee consists of Ottum (HPC), Hal Gershman (City Council), Tom Lander (neighborhood), and Keith Lund (Urban Development); staffed by Meredith Richards. Ottum said the committee met once and decided which proposals to recommend. He expressed concern that the proposals were not as complete as they might have been but said that the committee agreed that proposers would have to return to the committee with any substantial changes to the approved plan. He said the homes selected for the ends of the block will have detached garages; the three interior plans have garages attached at the rear of the house.

Chair Report – Marsha Gunderson
No report.

Coordinator Report – Peg O’Leary
§ 112-120 N. 3rd St. Nomination – The last of the materials were mailed to the State on Monday. It should go to the Keeper by the end of the week.
§ Near Southside Historic District Update – Everything is at the State, review is completed and it is headed for the Keeper.

Other Business
§ Cameo Homes moves – Gunderson requested information on when these houses would be put up for sale. She expressed concern that interest rates are headed back up and summer is the prime buying season. O’Leary said Urban Development is ready to advertise the houses for sale next week. Liens on the properties have been holding up the sales.
§ 28 Conklin – Gunderson also asked to be updated on how the punch list is coming on this property as it, too, should be on the market as soon as possible. O’Leary will contact the City Engineering office to see what progress has been made.
§ Griggs Award – It was decided to present the Griggs Award to Andy Swanson at the soonest possible Council meeting. O’Leary will draft a statement and members will review and comment.
§ Gunderson announced that volunteers are welcome to help plant wildflowers in the Lincoln Drive area Wednesday afternoon.
§ Gunderson announced that the Grand Forks Herald is looking for memorabilia to commemorate its 125th anniversary. She will document and return any items provided.
§ It was noted that UND is also approaching its 125th anniversary.
§ Members watched part of the home movies taken by Edwin McCosh between 1936 and 1955 in Grand Forks. The movies include family celebrations as well as community activities like the Chiefs baseball games and the 1949 Soap Box Derby.
Meeting adjourned. 9:45 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 8, 2004, in room A101, City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,


Peg O’Leary
Coordinator