Committee Minutes
Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission
1405 First Avenue North
Grand Forks, ND 58203
701-772-8756
Minutes
7:00 p.m.
June 10, 2003
Grand Forks City Hall
Present: Marsha Gunderson, Dave Beach, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Ted Jelliff,
Randy Lee, Rolf Ottum, Sandy Slater
Others: Mary Kate Ryan (State Historical Society of North Dakota), Mike Yavarow (City Engineering)
The Commission members briefly introduced themselves to the visitors.
Motion:
to approve the minutes of May 13, 2003, as distributed. (Slater, Lee)
Motion carries.
Lift Station #4, corner of Lewis Boulevard and Fenton Ave.
– Mike Yavarow
Chair Gunderson introduced Mike Yavarow to present exterior color options for the pumping station. The plans for the lift station are for it to look like the mirror image of the one already built on Lincoln Drive. The driveway will be on the right. It should have the appearance of a typical home, although it will be made of concrete. Yavarow was requesting input on color choices for the exterior features. The Commission felt that colors chosen should look nice but not call attention to the building. The Commission also took into consideration the colors of nearby houses, so that the lift station would not compete with or distract from them. After a review of samples, a consensus was reached on the following options:
Roof – sample Q203 (darkest)
Siding – Fall Grass
Shutters – sample DD (dark green)
Soffit/fascia – Cottage White
Door – Cedar Green
Gutters/downspouts – Sherwood Green
House numbers – Dark Green
House Moves
– Mike Yavarow
Yavarow announced that the moving permits for the Lorentz, Murphy, and Ertman houses had been approved. He wanted input from the Commission regarding the lot sizes for two of these previously “approved to be moved” houses. The lots allocated to the Murphy and Ertman houses are larger than previously thought. There would be a 300-foot frontage for two lots; therefore, there exists the possibility of dividing the property into three lots. The houses being moved are currently sitting on much smaller lots. The Commission discussed how these houses would look on these larger lots, if only two lots were platted. They were also concerned about how the flow would be affected by these large lots in a neighborhood of mostly 50 or 75 ft. frontages. How do the current owners feel, and what kind of additional compensation would be required to move a house onto a much larger lot? It was also noted, repeatedly, that only one homeowner has stayed with his home throughout this process. He has been patient and amenable to work with. Is he being treated reasonably, fairly, and even, perhaps, due to be cut some slack?
Members were very concerned about what kind of structure could be built on a third lot. How would this structure affect the neighborhood? This area has a large number of historic homes. Would there be a covenant attached to the property? If the city decided to go with only two lots, the risk of an inappropriate structure would be eliminated. Lee composed the following statement:
In the event that the ultimate resolution of the replatting of the east side of the 1700 block of Lewis Boulevard is that there will be more lots than those presently contemplated for the Murphy and Ertman houses, the disposition of any additional lots should be accomplished only in keeping with the important historical character of the 1500, 1600, and 1700 blocks of Lewis Boulevard as to size, design, and style, including materials, of any structure. Consistency of that character should be protected by appropriate covenants.
Motion:
to adopt Lee’s statement as written. (Jelliff, Slater)
Motion carries.
Introduction and Comments
– Mary Kate Ryan, Architectural Historian, SHSND
Gunderson introduced Mary Kate Ryan and Ryan proceeded to describe her job duties and their relationship to the business of our Commission. She also told members about her background. Ryan will attend a meeting of the UND Preservation Sub-committee of the Space Committee, of which she is a member, while in Grand Forks.
Iseminger questioned the status of the Old Science Hall commemoration. It was also noted that Babcock Hall and the Carnegie Building are in need of attention. It was not clear that there would be an opportunity to discuss these issues at the meeting.
Beacon Tower
Gunderson reported that Urban Development has authorized $2000 for landscaping around the Tower. The cost of the commemorative plaque is a separate issue.
Chair Report
– Marsha Gunderson
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Red River Valley Community Action Houses – The proposed rehabs of 1410 S. 8th St. and 906 S. 12th St. would include replacement of windows, siding, and insulation. Both houses were built in the 1950s. The concern was the effect on any nearby historical structures. The Commission discussed the projects and determined that there would be little impact on the neighborhood.
Motion:
to concur that no historic properties will be affected by the project at 1410 S. 9th St. (Lee/Ottum)
Motion carries.
Motion:
to concur that no historic properties will be affected by the project at 906 S. 12th St. (Ottum/Beach)
Motion carries.
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PND/CLG Meeting Report – Gunderson reported that the meeting was recently held in Devils Lake. Those who attended thought that it was a good meeting with worthwhile information. Lee expressed approval of the speaker who cited a book burning case history. He felt that it was very appropriate to provide an oral history to a group that was clearly interested in such things. Gunderson felt that the combined meeting worked well, though she noted that some timing conflicts will be worked on for next year. The untimely passing of Walsh County CLG member John Paulson was acknowledged.
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State Budget FY03 – Gunderson presented the CLG grant request budget for $28,261 from federal funds, to be matched by $24,300 in local cash and in-kind. It was noted that there would be a reduction of the “in-kind” labor line item with the recent resignation of Fred Schneider. Any items that were changed are based on what had been actually spent. The Coordinator salary has not increased.
Motion:
to approve the budget as written. (Slater, Iseminger)
Motion carries.
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Valley City Rainbow Bridge – The bridge will be removed and replaced with a similar but larger bridge.
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Riverside Pool and Bathhouse – Mitigation for the loss of the pool is being negotiated. The SHPO has requested that the Corps insert a stipulation about the future of the bathhouse which would certify that the bathhouse would not be remodeled or modified without approval of the SHPO.
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Commemorative Plaques – The plaques for the destroyed buildings will be in Grand Forks within 4 – 6 weeks.
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M&H Gas Station, N. 5th St. – The Commission was made aware that there is a proposal to expand the gas station, which raises concerns about the effect on nearby historical properties.
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200 1st Ave. N. – A new bank is going into the street level of the Dakotah Hotel.
Other Business
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Gunderson questioned whether anyone is interviewing Sam Silverman for an oral history. Iseminger said that an intern from the UND History Department has begun the process.
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Railroad History – An informal discussion of local rail history ensued, with Jelliff relating some interesting personal experiences.
Motion:
to adjourn. (Jelliff, Lee)
Motion carries.
Meeting adjourned. 9:10 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be held at 7:00pm, Tuesday, June 24 in room A101, City Hall.
Minutes taken by Chuck Flemmer.