Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2022 04 11

Home Browse Search

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes March 21, 2022 Page 2 of 4 The LRC identified a Fagade Improvement Program as a high priority project in 2021. The goal of the program is to encourage investment in permanent exterior building face improvements for properties located within the Highway 42 Urban Renewal Area. Because reimbursements come from Tax Increment Finance funds, funds can only be spent on commercial properties located within the Urban Renewal Area (URA). The URA is generally between the Village Square Shopping Center to the west, Hecla Drive to the north, Louisville Plaza to the east, and Pine Street Plaza to the south. Properties outside this area are not eligible for program funding. The 2022 LRC budget includes a total of $250,000 to be awarded to eligible projects. These funds are distributed on a tiered basis so that smaller projects are eligible for a higher percentage of reimbursement. Additional funding will likely be available should the City receive requests for more than the budgeted amount. The program requires interested businesses and commercial property owners within the URA to submit an electronic application containing the proposed improvements as well as the estimated cost. Applications for improvements to buildings built prior to 1955 will require a review by the Historic Planning Commission (HPC). If the improvements are approved by the HPC, the project can then be advanced to the LRC for approval and proceed through the outlined process. If HPC denies the application, the project will not be advanced for LRC consideration. Commissioner Questions of Staff. Burg asks if they have begun accepting applications. Brown says as of now, we have received four applications. Dunlap says from the map, it includes both sides of Main St, south of South St, down to south of Pine St, and then goes on north. Is getting a fagade replacement funding a conflict or an addition to landmarking? Is there any issue with them doing both? Brown says they could potentially apply for both but they would not be able to receive funding for both. Dunlap says if there was a repair or preservation for the fagade, they could use the funding from this program and not from the preservation grant. Brown says yes, potentially if they were not receiving landmark funding for that. Dunlap says the HPC subcommittee would only get involved if it was for a fagade request, correct? Brown says there could be some projects that do not just fall under a general fagade such as landscaping or outdoor seating. Dunlap asks if the current applications are properties that could be landmarked. Brown says the two we have reviewed are built prior to 1955. One had changes that did not need a subcommittee to review. The other did receive funding from HPC. One of the applications, 809 Main St, is already landmarked. Haley asks if this program is only for the 2022 calendar year. Brown says the $250,000 is only for the calendar year but it is anticipated that this would be an annual program. STAFF UPDATES Discussion/Direction: Annual Goals Memo 3