City Council Minutes 2013 01 08 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• City Council Meeting Minutes January 8, 2013 Page 11 of 16 Mayor Pro Tern Dalton stated the Council purchased the grain elevator with the intention of preserving it. He felt the best course of action would be to withdraw the application and wait for the proposals. He thought there are too many unknowns and the timing was not right. Council member Keany asked if a property owner wanted to landmark their property, but there were boundary issues, would the City process their application or would they wait until the issues were resolved. Planning Director Russ stated if a property dispute arose from the landmarking application, the application would be corrected as the dispute is corrected, however there is no requirement for a survey at this time. Council member Keany suggested tabling this matter until after the proposals are reviewed and the boundary issues are resolved. Council member Jasiak asked Economic Development Director DeJong, if the issue of landmarking came up in conversations with the potential partners. Economic Development Director DeJong stated landmarking has not been discussed. Council member Jasiak asked Planning Director Russ to comment on the landmarking from a planning point of view. Planning Director Russ stated it is important to establish the landmarking now in order to appropriately plan the site; to send a clear message to a potential partner; to set controls and the City's expectation for preservation. If the City landmarks now, they proactively take the lead in setting up the design expectation. Mayor Pro Tern Dalton requested copies of the National Parks Services best practices. It was his understanding a design standard would not be established until the proposals were reviewed. Planning Director Russ clarified the design best practices is a process and provides clarity for responding to the proposals. They provide a process for the Historic Preservation Commission, the Planning Commission and the City Council. He noted whether the property is landmarked now or later, it will not change the process. Mayor Muckle supported landmarking the property to key up the funding for the restoration of the grain elevator. He wanted to send the right message to potential partners. Council member Jasiak concurred. It was noted the intent was to landmark the grain elevator, not the NAPA building. Council member Loo did not think the City would receive a lot of proposals and landmarking would limit the creativity of proposals. She stated the building was not purchased to landmark it, but to preserve it. She suggested tabling this matter until March or April. She asked City Attorney Light to outline Council's options. City Attorney Light stated if the application was withdrawn, it would require a new application, which would be reviewed by the HPC and then the Council. The public hearing on the landmarking could be continued for 60 days with the applicant's consent.