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Historic Preservation Commission <br />Meeting Minutes <br />February 9, 2009 <br />Page 2 of 5 <br />Members had a discussion regarding the program document. Highlights are as <br />follows: <br />Regarding the grant program Whiteman asked how often the HPC would review <br />applications. Members agreed that applications should be reviewed every month <br />as a part of the HPC regular meeting. <br />Whiteman asked if a subcommittee should review applications first and make a <br />recommendation to the full HPC. ` <br />Muth noted there would be a process for an initial review by staff. <br />Stewart asked if staff could return applications to an applicant and ask for <br />additional information and a resubmittal, similar to a preapplication meeting in the <br />Planning Department. Members generally liked this idea so that the HPC would <br />then receive applications that staff had reviewed for completeness and to be sure <br />it meets the appropriate criteria. <br />As the ballot language states that funding is dependant on either landmarking or <br />placing an easement on the property members discussed issues surrounding <br />that. <br />Muth stated the landmarking and grant processes could run concurrently so that <br />City Council could determine landmark eligibility and grant approval at the same <br />time. <br />Whiteman noted this could cause some applicants to basically make their <br />landmarking contingent on receiving grant money. This would be something the <br />Commission would have to watch for. <br />Muth stated that this is where district landmarking may make the most sense and <br />get a stronger acceptance. The level of integrity per building is lower for a district <br />landmarking, but once complete it opens up the funding source to all contributing <br />structures in that district. <br />Muth suggested that as the HPC would like to fund some very public projects <br />early on to engender good will should the HPC actively recruit projects. She <br />asked if there were ways to spend money on very visible small projects such as <br />facade help or rehabilitation of historic elements on structures. <br />Koertje noted that the HPC landmark ordinance doesn't allow for the landmarking <br />of individual architectural elements so HPF money then couldn't pay for such <br />projects. <br />Members discussed possibly changing the ordinance to allow for the landmarking <br />of architectural elements. <br />