City of Grand Forks, North Dakota

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	Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission 1405 First Avenue North Grand Forks, ND 58203 701-772-8756 7:00 p.m. March 9, 2004 Grand Forks City Hall Present: Marsha Gunderson (Chair), Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Melinda Leach, Randy Lee,Rolf Ottum,Sandy Slater Others: Al Franks (RRVCA), Curt Siewert (Office of Urban Development), Mike Spletto (HOME Program Supervisor, ND Div. of Community Services), Peg O’Leary Motion: to approve the minutes of February 24, 2004, correcting the ahs/has typo on P. 2 and changing Oddfellows to Odd Fellows. (Iseminger, Lee) Motion carries unanimously. Sandy Slater arrived at this time. Red River Valley Community Action – Al Franks O’Leary noted that RRVCA will start bringing their rehab projects to HPC at the request of the State Historic Preservation Office. § 1723 5th Ave. N. (built in 1900) – Franks explained that they propose a new roof, rain gutters, two new exterior doors and one basement window for this house. The new roof would be 20 year, three-tab, asphalt shingles replacing asphalt shingles. Exterior doors are currently hollow-core and would be replaced with steel insulated doors. New gutters and downspouts are needed and deteriorated fascia would be replaced with wood to match existing and painted to match. They are also doing some interior work. Commissioners asked some general program questions and Franks gave the following information: - There are income requirements for participation in the program; most families would fall at or below 60% of the national median income which translates to about $25,000 for a family of four. - Participants approach RRVCA for inclusion in the program; RRVCA does not seek out participants. - Houses are evaluated with regard to safety and health concerns, efficiency and client concerns. - Houses are owner-occupied. - RRVCA tries to operate the rehab program on the basis of a whole-house approach. It is a one-time help to the owner and RRVCA looks at energy conservation, health and safety issues and helping to beautify the neighborhood. - Health and safety issues include lead-based paint, asbestos, electrical wiring, railings, etc. Clients may have a list of things they would like to see done (e.g. siding and/or new windows). These issues are addressed during the evaluation of the property and may or may not be considered appropriate for the property. - Clients are involved in decorating decisions (i.e. if new doors are approved, the client can pick out the style of door within a cost and efficiency range). - The funding source is the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. Regarding this house, the doors will be raised panel steel doors with a privacy peep-hole. Motion: to concur that no adverse effect will result from the described work at 1723 5th Avenue North. (Slater, Lee) Motion carries unanimously. § 1109 4th Ave. N., (built in 1904) – Franks said they propose to replace the main floor windows and install new rain gutters. They will reuse all trim where possible and replace in kind as necessary, including siding repair. Gunderson said the main floor windows look as if they are not original but the front windows appear to have stained glass in them. Franks said the picture is older and he didn’t think there is any stained glass in them now. Motion: to concur that no adverse effect will result from the work described at 1109 4th Ave. N., provided that any existing stained glass be evaluated and remain in place. (Lee, Slater) Motion carries unanimously. § 1917 2nd Ave. N., (built in 1922) – RRVCA proposes to replace windows, two exterior doors, basement windows and reshingle. The house currently has three styles of windows due to various replacements; RRVCA would replace with one-over-one, double hung, vinyl windows throughout. Motion: to concur that no adverse effect will result from the work described at 1917 2nd Ave. N. (Iseminger, Lee) Motion carries unanimously. § 727 N. 20th St., (built in 1954) – RRVCA proposes to replace seven windows to match four already replaced, reside, and insulate. Franks withdrew the request to reside, citing a recent paint job, and noted that they would try to find another way to insulate the home. Gunderson noted that the front window is a picture window with side lights and asked if it would be replaced with a similar window; Franks said it would and that no window openings would change in size. Motion: to concur that no adverse effect will result from the work described at 727 N. 20th St. if the house is not resided. (Flemmer, Leach) Motion carries. One no vote: Slater. § 611 18th Ave. S., (built in 1955) –RRVCA proposes to replace all nine windows and four basement windows, leaving all trim in place, and remove the chimney, which leaks and is no longer needed since the furnace was changed after the flood. The house is already sided with steel siding. Motion: to concur that no historic properties are affected by the work described at 611 18th Ave. S. (Lee, Ottum) Motion carries unanimously. General discussion ensued about the review process. HPC comments will be forwarded to the SHPO and the SHPO will agree or disagree; at that point RRVCA’s procedure will be the same as it has always been. Gunderson commented that the review at the local level will go smoother as we all get used to the process. Franks apologized that work had begun at 1328 Cottonwood prior to receiving final approval from the State. He asked for guidance as to how to proceed to improve a difficult situation for the home owner. Since the house siding has been removed, the home is very cold and leaks. Franks would like approval to use HOME funds to complete the siding work; the CDBG funding from the City has been withdrawn. Spletto said his agency was willing to fund completion of the work if it is approved by the SHPO. The SHPO has required an architectural survey of the property prior to approval of any use of federal funds on the house. Lee pointed out that the survey would determine the historic status of the property. Gunderson suggested that RRVCA should conference with the SHPO, and that, while members sympathize with the home owner’s predicament, it would be inappropriate for HPC to comment when SHPO stipulations have not yet been fulfilled. Chair Report – Marsha Gunderson § Annual CLG Meeting – Saturday, May 1 in conjunction with the Preservation North Dakota Conference May 1 and 2. The program looks to be very good. § Downtown Design and Review Board – Approved the antennas for the top of the US Bank building. Gunderson reported that neither DDRB nor the City has guidelines for the placement of antennas and DDRB will be looking for a place to collocate all of them, if possible. Iseminger said Hal Gershman told him that the City receives income from the antennas. Coordinator Report – Peg O’Leary § Campbell House Update – The petition to keep the house on the National Register, even though it is to be move to accommodate flood wall construction, is completed and approved by the architectural historian at the State Historical Society. We are still trying to dig up one piece of supporting documentation and then the whole package will be sent to the Keeper for review. § Almonte Nursing Home Replat – OUD has decided to propose five 60’ lots for infill housing on this block. Council is likely to approve. An RFP process will be used to determine what is built. § 112-120 N. 3rd St. Nomination – Still working on the rewrite. § SHSND Grants – Gunderson has suggested that HPC request funding to purchase signage for the boundaries of the Near Southside Historic District; members concurred. Slater suggested that the grant include funding for a graphic designer and Lee suggested that it would be good to have signage compatible with other historic signage, for recognition purposes. § M&H Gas Station – The owners have decided to change their color scheme to a multi-tone gray/black roof and natural red brick with white siding and red highlights. This will be much more compatible with the neighborhood and the action is greatly appreciated. O’Leary also noted that Councilman Glassheim had continued to pursue a change in the color scheme, as well. § New Books in Office – A list of newly acquired books was distributed. § Valley City’s West City Park Bridge – Work is proposed for another Valley City bridge. Commissioners wish to send a comment encouraging preservation of the bridge. § Minnesota History Interpreter – A booklet distributed by the Minnesota Historical Society was passed around. § Donor Forms – completed by members previously absent. Other Business § Ottum asked that the requirements for lead-based paint encapsulation vs. removal be researched. § It was noted that Dakota Science is selling the Presbyterian Church building. Leach said it would be a perfect fit for the UND Archeology Research division. The director of Dakota Science has called to ask what they should do about the cornerstone; they have found the one they had made when the congregation took the original. Members agreed that the hole should be bricked up and, if a cornerstone is needed, it should reflect the original date of construction. Meeting adjourned. 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Peg O’Leary Coordinator