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	Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission 1405 First Avenue North Grand Forks, ND 58203 701-772-8756 Minutes 7:00 p.m. August 12, 2003 Grand Forks City Hall Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Ted Jelliff, Rolf Ottum, Dale Sickels Others: Keith Danks, Jr., Monte Lund, Lonnie Laffen (JLG, Ltd.), Curt Siewert (Urban Development), Peg O’Leary Motion: to approve the minutes of July 22, 2003, as distributed. (Ottum, Iseminger) Motion carries. 1117 N. Washington – Lonnie Laffen, Curt Siewert Action on this storefront project was delayed from the meeting of July 22, 2003. The applicant had been asked to find out when the original brick structure was built. Laffen said an inspection of the interior of the building, which is concrete block, makes him think it is newer than one would think. He did not believe the building could date to WPA period from the condition of the cement block on the inside, but it might be about fifty years old. Gunderson said the age of the building is critical in the determination of adverse effect; the Commission must be able to defend its determination to future applicants and to the State, which will also review the determination. Motion: to defer action until HPC is provided with adequate information regarding the date of the building, drawings of the work to be done, photos of the existing building, and information on the historic buildings in the area. (Iseminger, Ottum) Motion carries. 500 Gateway Drive – Monte Lund, Keith Danks, Jr., Curt Siewert No action was taken on this proposal at the July 22, 2003, meeting. The applicant had been asked to determine, more precisely, the age of the building and consensus opinion was expressed that the project as proposed would adversely affect the historic building. Danks and Lund, co-owners of the building, have reworked their proposal: § the lower level glass block will be used in window openings only and appears to be the original material (some glass block basement windows remain); § they have removed the tower they had proposed to build over the main Gateway entrance; § they will not alter the secondary Gateway entrance; § they have removed the horizontal panels they had proposed for the area between the windows and the decorative brick work at the top of the building; § they have removed the flagpoles they had proposed for the tops of the vertical brick fenestration; § they will not be creating a large, glass-filled opening on the east end of the building; § they do propose to replace the garage door on Gateway with glass windows to fit the opening; § they do propose to cover the windows on the Gateway façade with louvered panels to simulate the appearance of a storage facility; and § they do propose signage on the east and west ends of the building and on doors. Lund said the louvered panels will require just ten screw anchors between each column and would be fully reversible. Danks said they sought a viable use for the building to help it survive; deterioration from the leaking roof had caused the hardwood floors to warp and water filled the basement. They have sanded and refinished the floors and rehabbed the basement. He said that converting buildings of this type to storage facilities has worked in other cities but the key has been in establishing a new identity for the building; they feel the louvered panels will help them do that. The panels will cover windows which are a ‘hodge-podge’ of styles, sizes and material; some do not appear to be original to the building. Gunderson said the city is asking for concurrence that this project creates no adverse effect on the historic building. The Secretary of Interior’s Standards call for reversibility and that seems to apply here. Ottum pointed out that replacing the glass block in the basement windows is a step in the right direction, too. The owners have also cleaned the brick inside and out (power washing). Gunderson asked how the windows would be treated if the panels are not allowed; Lund said they would have to be boarded up or secured in some other manner to provide security for the storage users. Flemmer agreed that there are a lot of inconsistencies in the existing windows. Motion: to concur with the determination of no adverse effect on the building at 500 Gateway Drive from the project as described above. (Sickels, Ottum) Motion carries. 901 13th Ave. S. – Curt Siewert The house plan for this in-fill lot has been previously approved. The plan did not include a garage but provided for space for one to be added later. The developer has a buyer who wants a two-car attached garage. Most of the neighborhood properties are just turning fifty years old. The house across the street is a ranch style with attached two-car garage. The drawing of the house with garage does not reflect the additional window to the north façade upon which the May 13th HPC approval was predicated. Motion: to concur that no historic properties are affected by the change in plan noted above provided that a window is added to the north facade. (Jelliff, Sickels) Motion carries. 514 University Avenue – Curt Siewert This is a rental rehab project which has been on hold pending resolution of the window dispute. The original rental rehab loan was subject to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. The property owner used the funds to raise the roof on the structure (to allow a third story apartment) and change virtually all the window openings. This use of the funds is prohibited. Siewert presented a chart indicating the rough openings (interior and exterior) and the windows proposed for the openings; the counterweight system accounts for the difference between the interior and exterior measurements. He said he had worked on the drawings with Diamond Pipiles and was comfortable with the result. Siewert has also randomly checked the windows indicated by Pipiles against the rough size openings and those checked are OK. The one window which will not return to original is a second-story, alley window where Pipiles wants to put in a shower. Iseminger questioned whether windows had been moved from original locations; Siewert said no, sizes and shapes had changed but nothing moved. The proposal is for the following: § use wood double-hung windows in all openings; § exterior window trim will consist of 4 ½” side trim, 6” top trim, 1” rain cap with molding under the drip cap; § wood double-hung storms on all windows; § diamond cut cedar shingles in all four peaks; § replace existing soffit and fascia with like wood where needed; § install metal rain gutters and downspouts; § repaint house in three colors; § replace and repair siding as needed (with like material); and § remove second-story alley window for interior shower. Gunderson questioned the basement egress windows; Siewert said they predate the flood. Siewert requested concurrence with a determination of no adverse effect if this proposal is enacted. Flemmer said everything he had questioned last time has been addressed. Gunderson said the original deal struck was that the owner could leave the roof altered if he replaced all windows to original openings. Motion: to concur with determination of no adverse effect to the property at 514 University Avenue with the implementation of this plan. (Jelliff, Flemmer) Motion carries. 14 Residences Mitigation Mike Yavarow was not present to report on the rotating mitigation fund. O’Leary distributed a list indicating the disposition of each of the 14 houses. 405 Alpha Avenue The house at this address was moved from 1415 Lewis Boulevard and is under covenant. David Blue, the owner, has provided evidence from his insurer that the cedar shake roof is no longer viable and cannot be insured even if patched. The owner wishes to reroof using CertainTeed Landmark series shingles. These shingles simulate the look of shakes. A similar request was approved for the covenanted house at 1420 Chestnut; the motion, on July 9, 2002, allowed replacement of the damaged cedar roof with Oakridge PRO 30 Shingles in a color of the owners’ choice. Motion: to approve the replacement of the roof at 405 Alpha Avenue with CertainTeed Landmark series shingles in a color of the owner’s choice. (Iseminger, Sickels) Motion carries. Friends of Preservation – Ted Jelliff Jelliff reported that the first meeting of the Friends group was held on August 5. It was determined that the group wants to be a positive force for preservation in Grand Forks and several possible projects were discussed, including the history of hospitals in Grand Forks. Another meeting will be scheduled for after school starts. Chair Report – Marsha Gunderson § Grand Forks County Courthouse – Gunderson and O’Leary met with County Commissioner Connie Triplett, at the courthouse, to discuss several items of concern to the County Commission: o “Painted” Seals on third floor – The plan for the new restroom on third floor requires cutting through the wall in an area with ornamentation. Triplett wondered how best to preserve it; could it be copied or photographed and documented? Inspection of the seal revealed that the seal itself is painted on canvas and applied to the wall like wallpaper. It appeared to be relatively easy to remove and could be placed on another wall in the vicinity. The laurel wreath around the seal is painted directly on the wall and would have to be replicated in the new location. o Treasurer’s Office Safe – The County Commission is willing to put the safe on display but there is some concern about the condition of the paint. O’Leary met Ottum at the courthouse, at a later date, and Ottum discovered that the safe is skim-coated with plaster and the paint applied over the plaster. Ottum said this was done to even out the metalwork. He thought the plaster could be repaired and the paint matched using one of the scanning techniques available. The lettering appears to be gold leaf; Jelliff said now that can be touched up with less expensive paints that give the same appearance. Ottum suggested a local artist who might be willing to do the plaster work and Jelliff was suggested as a possibility for the lettering repair. o Office Colors – The original plan called for reproducing historic colors in the offices, however the occupants do not find the colors to be very appealing nor do the historic colors complement furnishings, etc. o Courthouse Construction – In touring the Courthouse, we noticed the unusual construction of the walls, which has been exposed in a couple areas where doors are being put in. Triplett had agreed with Gunderson that a history of the building should be written. Gunderson has approached Judge Kirk Smith to undertake the task and he has agreed to do so. Coordinator Report – Peg O’Leary § New Rosters – O’Leary handed out a copy of the updated HPC member roster. § CLG Budget Report – The State has authorized full funding of the FY03 CLG budget, however, they have expressed concern that we will be able to complete the Downtown District Nomination by the end of the fiscal year. O’Leary has approached Urban Development about the possibility of sharing the cost of the nomination. The State portion of the funding could be used during FY03 and the City’s portion would be used for the final payments on the contract, which would occur in FY04. Members agreed to this amendment of the CLG request if the city agrees to partial funding. § Cell Towers – The State has received inquiries for a monopole tower at 3100 DeMers Avenue and for additional antennas on Columbia Towers. The tower on DeMers appears to be about one-quarter mile from Oxford House and this information has been conveyed to the State. The tower would require a permit from the city and no action has been taken to request one at this time. § Campbell House Archeology – The Recovery Plan has been submitted for review and Fred Schneider has agreed to review it for us. § N. 3rd St. Cribbing – O’Leary distributed an email from the Corps of Engineers explaining that the sewer pipe cribbing discovered on N. 3rd St. was left basically intact and the pipeline installation was moved above and to the west to avoid the area. § 1322 6th Ave. N. – A plan for this infill housing was not approved at the last meeting because of a copier malfunction. The Commission had questioned the first plan because the house seemed as if it would not fit on the lot and still meet code, but the plan was approved contingent upon it meeting code, etc. Harold Statstad, contractor, had called to asked if there is any way to approved his new plan before the next meeting (which was three weeks away) so he could begin work at the site. Gunderson authorized a motion by email to approve the design, which is identical to the plan previously approved except that it is narrower by four feet, to better fit on the lot. Randy Lee so moved, Sandy Slater seconded, and Lee, Slater, Rolf Ottum, Chuck Flemmer, Dale Sickels and Marsha Gunderson voted yes. Motion carried. § Sample House Relocate RFP – O’Leary distributed a copy of the RFP for the Sale and Relocation of the Historic Home at 1508 Lewis Boulevard to be Relocated to the Lot at 1702 Lewis Boulevard. For information only. § Unknown Houses – O’Leary distributed pictures for two houses which are incorrectly identified on the SITS forms. She asked that members be on the lookout for these houses and help her find out what the true addresses are. § Near Southside Historic District Nomination – O’Leary requested authorization to pay the first installment of the contract: $7,500 for HPC approved first draft of the nomination. o Motion: to authorize payment to Historical Research Associates of $7,500 for initial draft of the Near Southside Historic District Nomination. (Sickels, Iseminger) Motion carries. Other Business § Riverside Pool and Bathhouse – The COE refuses to include a stipulation that the Park District must acquire SHPO approval before doing anything to the bathhouse and the SHPO has decided not to pursue it. The mitigation will consist of documentation and photography. § Beacon Tower Plaque – The plaque has arrived from Metal Arts in Mandan and was on display in the meeting room. § St. Joseph, MO – Sickels reported that the downtown of St. Joe is full of beautiful historic buildings which are deteriorating terribly. Motion: to adjourn. (Ottum, Flemmer) Motion carries. Meeting adjourned. 9:30 p.m. The next regular meeting will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 26, in room A101, City Hall. Respectfully submitted, Peg O’Leary Coordinator