Historic Preservation Commission Minutes 2008 03 19

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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes March 19, 2008 Page 9 of 10 moving it outside of the water plant is excessive and even if it was moved, there are real limitations to using the building due to its size and configuration. Menaker added that his take from the City Council was that the HPC jeopardizes it credibility if it tries to save a building that is not accessible to the public and has limited usefulness. He stated he felt there is very little support for saving the building from Council or staff. He felt that the HPC would be better served by focusing its efforts elsewhere. Koertje stated that the site is a good candidate for adaptive reuse. And, while it may not be the greatest project due to accessibility and future use limitations, he thinks the building could and should be rehabilitated. He added that the SHF will not fund moving the structure, but noted that the City could move it, the HPC could then landmark it, and it would then qualify for rehabilitation funds. Bonnie McCormick, 1301 Lincoln Avenue, asked why there is a need to demolish the building. Muth stated that the water treatment plant does need to be expanded, but there are no specific or immediate plans for the expansion at this time. Barb Hesson, 526 LaFarge Avenue, stated it should be saved because once it’s gone it’s gone. It should be preserved for future generations. John Leary, 1116 LaFarge Avenue, asked that the HPC recommend that City Council delay a decision until more options can be considered particularly as there is no immediate need for the space. Tofte asked if the HPC could forward a recommendation to the City Council for their discussion on April 15. Muth said that a recommendation from the HPC could be included in the City Council’s packet. Tofte made a motion that the HPC ask City Council to delay any decision about the building until additional research has been completed as to the options for the site. Whiteman seconded the motion. Muckle said this is an important issue for the City as far as putting it money where its mouth is and leading by example with the preservation of City its historic resources. McMenamin made a new motion that Koertje and Tofte write a letter to City Council, for inclusion in the City Council April 15 packet, noting the HPC’s concerns for the building and requesting that the City Council take no action towards demolishing the building until further options have been explored. Whiteman seconded the motion. All in favor. 2008 Meeting Schedule Muth noted that the public hearings that the HPC has been having are best held in the Council Chambers. To assure that the HPC can use this room, the meetings will need to be moved from the third Wednesday of the month. Members agreed to move their meetings to the third Monday of each month. The meetings will continue to start at 7:00 PM.