Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2011 12 19

Home Browse Search

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes November 21, 2011 Page 2 of 7 McCartney reminded the HPC this property had gone for a demo review in 2009 and a stay was put on the house. Stay was based on architectural significance and social history. Stay, and application, has since expired. Longtain asked if the architectural significance was due primarily to age. Stewart answered not necessarily. He stated the house has the original shape and form, windows and door openings. Speier volunteered to provide design assistance. Discussion/Action – Commercial Incentives / Draft Guide to Programs McCartney presented. Koertje asked if staff had any suggestions for dollar amounts for new construction, as requested by City Council. He stated new construction could be similar to the work the Rex Theater requested. Stewart then presented a grant table he created which had proposed grant amounts written in the table. The HPC discussed the grant table, making specific mention to requiring matching funds above a certain amount. Speier asked if new construction meant that the HPC pay for new architectural features or is it to limit mass. Stewart answered he believed it was intended to limit mass, height and Floor Area for new construction. He stated new construction is a hard thing for the HPC to consider because our purview is preservation of existing structures. Speier stated he was concerned about allowing funding for new construction. He stated the Rex was more character preservation than new construction. Koertje stated new construction should not be eligible for incentives. He added structures of merit will need to be included in the table as well. He also stated the grant table is very helpful. Stewart acknowledged the amendments and stated the grant table was to be used as an executive summary. McCartney offered to formulate a grant fund exercise similar to what had already been completed. The exercise would show how many grants could be applied for with the recommended grant caps. Public Comment John Leary stated his understanding was the HPF was created to provide more incentives for the commercial structures to landmark. He also stated the following: