Committee Minutes
Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission
1405 First Avenue North
Grand Forks, ND 58203
701-772-8756
Meeting Minutes
October 24, 2006
7:00 p.m.
City Hall
Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Ted Jelliff, Cory Lien,
Sandy Slater, Dave Vorland
Others: Meredith Richards, Office of Urban Development; Kevin Severson, Red River Valley Community Action; Peg O’Leary
Motion:
to correct the address of St. Michael’s Hospital from 613 to 813 Lewis Boulevard and to approve the minutes, as corrected, of the October 10, 2006 meeting. (Slater, Jelliff)
Motion carries unanimously.
Red River Valley Community Action
1602 9th Ave. S., built 1995 – RRVCA is proposing a federally funded loan for installation of a basement egress window, a pre-hung exterior door, one vinyl window replacement, and a porch overhang. Windows are currently vinyl and the porch will be gabled and shingled to match the existing roof.
Motion:
to concur that no historic properties are affected by the work described for the house at 1602 9th Avenue South. (Slater, Jelliff)
Motion carries unanimously.
1905 8th Ave. N., built 1973 – RRVCA is proposing a federally funded loan for replacing existing windows with vinyl single-hung windows, removing Masonite siding and replacing with vinyl triple-three siding, installing a steel door and storm on the rear entry, installing new steps and railing to meet city code, installing new steel door and storm on west entry, and installing egress windows on west basement bedrooms. Current windows are wood.
Motion:
to concur that no historic properties are affected by the work described for the house at 1905 8th Avenue North. (Flemmer, Lien)
Motion carries unanimously.
130 Fenton Avenue, built 1924 – RRVCA is proposing a federally funded loan to remove and replace shingles on the entire house, remove existing original windows and replace with single hung wood inserts, remove and replace the back entry storm door, remove and replace the concrete driveway. The house is individually eligible for the National Historic Register and will contribute to the Riverside Historic District. The windows, vertical triple over one, are specifically noted as evidenced throughout the neighborhood. Severson said the picture window will not be changed out and that replacement windows would be similar in size and style to existing windows. Severson was asked if the windows are seriously damaged or rotted; he did not think so. Commissioners noted that drafts can be dealt with by weatherizing and it is important to retain historic fabric, not just appearance, whenever possible. If the material of the windows is not damaged, other steps should be taken to improve weatherization without replacing original windows. O’Leary provided a handout on weatherizing historic windows.
Motion:
to concur that no adverse effect will result from reshingling the roof, replacing the rear storm door, replacing the driveway with one of similar dimensions, and the interior carpeting and handrail work; replacement of the windows is NOT approved. (Flemmer, Iseminger)
Discussion: Severson asked if wooden combination storms instead of window replacement could be approved at this time. Chair determined that the question should return to the Commission for consideration when details of material were available.
Motion carries unanimously.
Office of Urban Development
– Meredith Richards
85 4th Ave. S., built 1887 – Richards said the city will soon advertise this house for sale and requested a decision on whether or not to include a historic covenant on the house. The Standard Mitigation Agreement under which the house was purchased calls for historic covenants on any home over 50 years old. The house is within but not contributing to the Near Southside Historic District. Richards noted that many changes have been made to the exterior of the house, including window replacement and front entry modification on the main floor and significant additions to the foot print. Some interesting elements remain, including the Mansard roof and the balconette on the second floor front. Gunderson said she was comfortable with attaching the covenant. It would give the Commission the opportunity to comment on positive changes and also could restrain changes that might be negative to the Near Southside Historic District.
Commissioners concurred
that the covenant should be attached to the house at 85 4th Ave. S.
Lustron House (formerly 602 Lincoln Drive) – Richards reported that the NDSU students are working on the reconstruction project and there have been no major problems except the weather. She noted that the
Grand Forks Herald
has posted a photo gallery of the site.
City Hall Window Project – The replacement of the glass block lower level windows on the south façade has been completed and the paperwork has been submitted to HPC.
Chair Report
– Marsha Gunderson
18th Annual Governor’s Conference on North Dakota History, Bismarck, October 27-28, 2006 – Gunderson noted that there are several interesting sessions on North Dakota and the Cold War. The GFHPC will also be recognized at the evening program for the nomination of the Downtown Historic District. O’Leary will accept the District certificate on behalf of the Commission.
Riverside Nomination State Board Presentation, Bismarck, Oct. 27 – Steve Martens and O’Leary will present the Riverside Nomination for review by the State Historical Board at 1:30 p.m. in the Heritage Center.
Coordinator Report
– Peg O’Leary
FY06 Regrants – The State has requested a more complete Scope of Work for the Dinnie Apartment regrant and O’Leary has visited with the owner about this requirement.
Lustron House Report – Provided above by Richards.
Grand Forks Transportation History Artifacts – Parts of an early Grand Forks trolley car have been donated to and refurbished by the Cities Area Transport department. A dedication of the display will take place at 1:00 p.m., Friday, Oct. 30, at the Metro Transit Center on Kittson and S. 4th Street. Everyone is welcome.
Other Business
District Signage – Vorland noted that he has seen interesting signage documenting local history and hoped to see more of it in Grand Forks. He particularly noted signage in Austin, TX.
Cable House, 419 Princeton – Iseminger inquired whether the University Fellows still own a great deal of property in and around UND; Vorland said much of their property has been transferred to the State.
Meeting adjourned. 8:45 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14, in room A101, City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Peg O’Leary
Coordinator