Historic Preservation Commission Minutes 2008 07 21

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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes July 21, 2008 Page 6 of 7 plans to do a parking and commercial development study to determine if there is potential for additional FAR. Muckle stated that the HPC should strongly recommend that waivers of the parking requirements be used as an incentive for preservation of historic buildings. Koertje stated that historic preservation should be listed as a priority in the Comp Plan and that it should take a stronger role in the planning process. The preservation language should be stronger. Koertje added that in the current process it appears that the design guidelines for downtown do not encourage preservation. He urged staff to update the Downtown Design Guidelines as well. Betty Solek, 725 Lincoln Avenue, stated that the City needs to revisit the Old Town Overlay Zoning and the Downtown Design Guidelines. She feels that the current regulations allow too much development that is lot line to lot line. Solar access should be addressed as should energy efficiency and resource conservation. She added that the smaller homes keep the character of Old Town as does retaining the mature trees. xxx Tofte stated that it appears that the HPC, Planning Commission, and Revitalization Commission have different goals sometimes and that their processes can be contradictory. She stated the Comp Plan should address the common goals of the City so that all of these boards have the same direction. Lewis noted that she has seen green building and energy conservation used as to justify demolition of historic structures. The Comp Plan should include language noting that preservation and green building complement each other and are not mutually exclusive. Muth noted that both the Resource Conservation Advisory Board and the Building Code Board of Appeals have been working on green building recommendations. McCartney stated that any comments the HPC would like to submit will be taken into consideration as a part of the public hearing process. Members will work on a memo regarding suggestions for the Comp Plan at its August meeting. Update - 1930s Water Treatment Plant Muth reported that at the July 15 City Council meeting, the Council voted 5-2 to demolish of 1932 Water Treatment Plant. She noted many of the members who supported demolition noted that the lack of public access to the facility was their deciding factor. Update -Demolition Requests -None Discussion/Comments on Planning Department Referrals -None Updates