Committee Minutes
Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission
1405 First Avenue North
Grand Forks, ND 58203
701-772-8756
Meeting Minutes
June 13, 2006
7:00 p.m.
City Hall
Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Chuck Flemmer, Ted Jelliff, Melinda Leach, Sandy Slater, Dave Vorland
Others: Kevin Severson, Curt Siewert, Peg O’Leary
Gunderson welcomed David Vorland to the Commission and members introduced themselves.
Motion:
to approve the minutes of the May 23, 2006 meeting as presented. (Slater, Jelliff)
Motion carries.
Vorland abstains.
Community Development Block Grant Proposal
– Curt Siewert
3200 Gateway Drive, built in 1946 – Siewert explained that the building is owned by Transport, Inc. The owners have requested CDBG funding to assist with the demolition of the structure as part of the program to beautify Gateway Drive. Siewert asked for concurrence with a determination that no historic properties would be affected by this demolition. When asked if the stucco exterior is original, Siewert said he didn’t think so but couldn’t find building permits, due to the address probably being outside the city limits until the 1960s. Several members noted that there doesn’t seem to be anything very wrong with the building and it seems to be in relatively original condition. When asked why the owners want to tear it down, Siewert said he believes the building is abandoned and an abandoned building becomes a liability. Flemmer said tearing it down would make the slag pile behind it visible to the road, not doing much for beautification. Leach said she thought it was quite historic in feeling and wondered if tearing it down would make way for something new and hideous. Siewert reiterated that he did not think this property was historic.
Motion:
to concur with a determination of no historic properties affected. (Flemmer, Jelliff)
Discussion:
Leach noted that building appears original and is certainly in its original location. Slater suggested that the Commission needs more information before an informed decision can be made. She requested a more determined search for historic photos, building permits and other pertinent information.
Motion fails.
Two yes (Flemmer, Jelliff), two no (Slater, Leach), one abstention (Vorland).
Motion:
to forward to the State Historic Preservation Office with no recommendation but with a clear delineation of the concern for more thorough research expressed during the discussion.
(Slater, Leach)
Discussion:
Leach noted that a beautification plan for the Gateway corridor might easily incorporate this building.
Motion carries.
Four yes (Slater, Leach, Flemmer, Jelliff), one abstention (Vorland).
Red River Valley Community Action
– Kevin Severson
402 Walnut Street – built in 1920, located within but not contributing to the Near Southside Historic District. The owner proposes replacing all but the leaded glass windows with vinyl clad windows, replacing exterior front and rear doors and storm doors, and replacing the service walk. It was determined that the window openings will remain the same size and that the existing doors are not original.
Motion:
to concur with a determination of no historic properties affected. (Slater, Jelliff)
Motion carries.
Vorland abstains.
1121 Cottonwood Street – built in 1920, determined to have no nomination potential in the Grand Forks CLG 1994 Survey. The owner proposes a rear addition, which would approximate the footprint of an existing covered patio, replacement of gutters and downspouts, and installation of an egress window on the north and south sides of the house. It was determined that the siding on the addition would match the existing siding on the house and that the addition would probably have a shed roof similar to the patio but with more pitch.
Motion:
to concur with a determination of no historic properties affected. (Slater, Flemmer)
Motion carries.
Vorland abstains.
Chair Report
– Marsha Gunderson
Griggs Award – Gunderson provided some background on the award and noted that O’Leary recently sent out a full list of recipients.
Commission Appointments – Gunderson noted that David Vorland is newly appointed to the Commission and Charles Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Melinda Leach, Dale Sickels, and Sandra Slater have all been reappointed.
1950s Era Residences – Due to the increasing need to review mid-century homes, the next meeting will be devoted to developing policy and guidelines for such reviews. Mary Kate Ryan has offered to provide background on the styles and facilitate a discussion on determination of integrity. O’Leary distributed maps and spreadsheets indicating 1950s housing developments; members are asked to drive through these neighborhoods to familiarize themselves with the feel.
Coordinator Report
– Peg O’Leary
Riverside Nomination – Steve Martens will have a draft ready for review by the end of June.
Near Southside Brochure – Fine Print quoted 8,000 full-color brochures for $3,000 or 12,000 two-color brochures for $3,000. Members thought 8,000 would be plenty and we should see a full-color proof.
Survey Funding Options – Since there were no takers on the Near Northside survey, O’Leary has contacted Hess Roise of St. Paul to see if they might be interested. They are reviewing the RFP and will get back to us. If they do not opt to do the survey, the funds could be transferred to another project. One possibility would be to expand the City Hall restoration project. Members will consider this and other possibilities at the next meeting.
Near Southside Plaque – There may be a stumbling block for placing the plaque at the corner of 13th Ave. S. and Belmont Road. If we can’t get a variance to place the plaque closer to the street, it will be back in the trees. O’Leary will pursue a variance.
Lustron House – The city is proposing to fund the reconstruction of the Lustron House through flood protection betterment funds. The topic elicited some discussion at the Committee of the Whole on June 12th.
Riverside Pool – The disposition of Riverside Pool and Bathhouse was also a topic of discussion at the Committee of the Whole. Discussion seemed to indicate that the Council will vote to hire consultants to review the Pool situation.
Conference Travel – The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions biennial conference is in Baltimore in July. The 2005 CLG grant has $2,517.53 remaining for travel, which must be expended by Sept. 30, 2006. O’Leary attended this conference in 2002 and found it to be particularly good for networking and for new information on programs and legislation. Projected cost for one person to attend the conference for three days is $1,166, or for four days, $1,338.
Motion:
to authorize O’Leary to travel to Baltimore to attend the NAPC Forum 2006.
(Jelliff, Leach)
Motion carries unanimously.
Chair notes that this is Vorland’s first vote.
Motion:
to adjourn. (Flemmer, Jelliff)
Motion carries.
Meeting adjourned. 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Peg O’Leary
Coordinator