Committee Minutes
Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission
1405 First Avenue North
Grand Forks, ND 58203
701-772-8756
Meeting Minutes
May 9, 2006
7:00 p.m.
City Hall
Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Ted Jelliff, Cory Lien, Rolf Ottum, Gerad Paul, Dale Sickels, Sandy Slater
Others: Debra Dekker, Jack Dekker, Denise Gillespie, Lloyd Hagen, Kevin Severson, Curt Siewert, Peg O’Leary
Motion:
to approve the minutes of the April 25, 2006 meeting as presented. (Slater, Sickels)
Motion carries.
608 18th Ave. S
– Jack and Debra Dekker
The Dekkers want to replace the bedroom windows in their 50-year-old home with new windows of the same size and style. The small, high windows no longer meet safety codes. They are requesting a determination of historic significance to support their request for a variance.
Ted Jelliff arrived at this time.
Gunderson reviewed previous discussion about the home, including HPC minutes from Sept. 27, 2005, a letter written from HPC to GF Inspections, and a rundown of the permits on file at Inspections regarding this house. One of the permits is for a family room and fireplace addition in 1971. Slater said the addition is at the rear of the house and not visible from the street. Gunderson noted that the street view is the primary concern for National Register consideration. Flemmer pointed out that the Commission has no authority to override safety codes but a resolution in support of the property’s historic integrity could be issued.
Motion:
to affirm that the house at 608 18th Ave. S. retains its historic appearance from the street and would contribute to a historic district. (Flemmer, Iseminger)
Motion carries.
Red River Valley Community Action
– Kevin Severson
518 8th Ave. N., built in 1912 – A variety of work is proposed: construct an addition; replace a door; interior construction; gutters and downspouts; interior electrical wiring; and limited heating duct work. Discussion focused on the addition, which would replace part of an existing (though not original) porch. It was decided that there was not enough information to make a determination of effect. RRVCA was asked to return with a site plan and a better indication of what the addition would look like.
1924 10th Ave. N., built in 1953 – A variety of work is proposed: remove and replace shingles on house and garage; repair garage with 8” wood lap siding to match existing; replace rotted fascia on garage; paint garage; install metal gutters and downspouts on garage; install metal hand railing on rear house steps; install wooden handrails to rear patio deck on house; and scrape, prime and paint exterior of house. Severson said the rear railing would match the front railing.
Motion:
to concur that no adverse effect will result from these changes to the property at 1924 10th Ave. N. (Flemmer, Slater)
Motion carries.
627 22nd Ave. S., built in 1957 – A variety of work is proposed: install new steel doors to front and rear of house; install new storm doors to front and rear of house; replace existing (original) kitchen windows with vinyl double-hung; replace interior vinyl flooring and countertop; and interior carpentry. It was noted that the doors being replaced appear to be original to the house. Severson explained that the owner would be using a low interest loan from RRVCA to do the work on the house; the owner chooses what projects to undertake. The windows to be replaced and the back door are not on the front façade. Other windows have been replaced in the house. Slater expressed concern that the front door is significant to the look and period of the house. The owner said she would be replacing it with a steel door with an oval window; the storm on the front would be a full glass storm.
Motion:
the proposed work creates an adverse effect on the historic appearance of the house. (Sickels, Slater)
Discussion:
Jelliff suggested postponing the decision and driving by the house. Slater suggested that the owner keep the door and see how much difference the new storm and some weatherizing would make. Flemmer questioned whether all the projects create an adverse effect or whether the front door is the main difficulty. Sickels pointed out that a door could be made to look like the existing door but it would cost more.
Motion:
to amend the standing motion to reflect that the changes, other than the front door, do not create an adverse effect on the property at 627 22nd Ave. S. (Flemmer)
Amendment accepted by Sickels and Slater.
Motion as amended carries.
Community Development Block Grant Proposals
– Curt Siewert, Urban Development
420 Division Avenue, built in 1903, addition 2003, Shelter for Homeless, Inc. – The proposal is for renovation of three interior bathrooms; exterior facades will not be affected.
Motion:
to concur with a determination of no adverse effect on the building at 420 Division Avenue. (Slater, Sickels)
Motion carries.
620 4th Ave. S., built in 1976, GF Senior Citizens Center – The proposal is to replace the roof with like material in a like style. The building is city owned.
Motion:
to concur with a determination that no historic properties will be affected by the proposed action at 620 4th Ave. S. (Jelliff, Iseminger)
Motion carries.
3302 Gateway Drive, built in 1950 – The proposal is to demolish two buildings at this address. Siewert said the buildings are in poor condition. Members were unable to tell, from the available pictures, exactly what would be demolished.
Motion:
to table discussion. (Flemmer)
Motion carries.
Siewert will return with a site plan and better pictures.
Chair Report
– Marsha Gunderson
1216 Belmont Road – The State Review Board, on April 28, 2006, approved the amendment of the Near Southside Historic District nomination to include this house.
Gunderson noted that Lien had recently escorted Princess Martha Louise of Norway while she was in the Grand Forks area.
Coordinator Report
– Peg O’Leary
Riverside Nomination – The contracts have been signed by the contractor and are in the Mayor’s office for signatures. Work has begun.
Granitoid Street Repair – No formal meetings but O’Leary had a brief discussion with Mark Walker. It seems unlikely that the city will have funds for street repair this year, which extends the timeframe for discussions.
Annual CLG Meeting – O’Leary visited with Walt Bailey by phone to discuss reasons, pro and con, for having the meeting in Bismarck.
PND Presentation – Susan Quinnell and O’Leary co-presented a session on Preservation Law at the state Preservation North Dakota conference on May 6, 2006. The session seemed to go well though attendance at the conference seemed low.
Other Business
Riverside Pool – Iseminger questioned whether the pool and bathhouse are endangered, given the recent flooding and cost of clean-up. General concern was expressed and O’Leary was directed to research the question.
UND History Dept. Research Grant – Iseminger noted that the department has a grant to study the B’Nai Israel Synagogue with a potential outcome of nominating it to the National Register. Members agreed that this was an excellent idea.
Altru Hospital Library – Iseminger said he has been working on the background for the historic hospitals memorial.
St. Michael’s Hospital and Nurses’ Residence – Lien reported that one of the buildings has a broken chimney. O’Leary was asked to find out who is responsible for building maintenance.
Meeting adjourned.
8:45 p.m.
The next meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 23, 2006, in room A101, City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Peg O’Leary
Coordinator