HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC December 3 1992 mintuesaO
Historic Preservation Commission
621 CTEVELAND BLVD,
CALOWELL, IDAHO 83605
TEL.: (208)4ss-3006
FAX 4s5-3003
Caldwell Depot FacinB Seve th Ave. ( 1906)
Agenda
Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
A meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission will be held on January 7,193, at7.00
p.m. in the Caldwell City Council Conference Room.
The agenda is scheduled as follows:
1. ROLLCALL:
2. MINUIES:
A. Minutes from the Meeting of December 3, 19y2.
3. COMMISSION ORGANIZA'IION:
a) Re-appointment of Commissioner Tom Ensley;b) New appointment of Commissioners Elaine lrppert, Phil Maughan and
Vivian McKay;c) Reorganization of Commission.
OfEces: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary
4. CLG GRANT APPLTCATTON (1993):
Letter from Ann Swanson, SHPO
Site Selection for Walking Tour Brochure
Walking Tour Brochure Design and Format
Process for consultant selection
DOWNTOWN EISTORIC DISIRICT:
a) Discuss format and agenda for February 4 meeting
ADJOURNMENT:
a)
b)
c)
d)
5
6
Prep-ared by, - .--
-;O-tx-*a7 L*-.- k
Dennis Crooks,
Planning and Zoning Dtector
1
\
aa
ao
Historic Preservation Commission
621 CLEVELAND BLVO.
CALDWELL, IDAHO 83605
TEL.: (2o8) 455-3000
FAX 45+3003
Caldwell Depot Facing Severth Ave. ( 1906)
MINUTES
Meeting of December 3, 1992
Preseot: Chairman Chuck Randolph, Carol Burbank, Dennis Crooks, Elaine Carpenter, Tom
Ensley Bill Gigray III. Abs€nu Madeline Buckendorf. Staff: Teri Ottens, Liz Yeary
The December 3, 1992 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to
order in the City Hall Conference Room by Chairman Oruck Randolph at 7:20 p.m.
The Chairman introduced Vivian McKay as a potential member of the Commission and for
the benefit of the unusually large audience gave the role of the Commission. He also
referred to the importance the VUDAT teanL which worked with the City in 1991, placed
on historic sites, suggestions provided for preserving historic neighborhoods, identified the
need to advertise our historical resources on the interstate, and to produce literature
regarding those resources. R /UDAT also recommmded revitalization of the downtown in
concert with a historic preservation theme.
Commissioner Gigray was appointed by the Commission to coordinate the program for this
meeting and Mr. Randolph turned the meeting over to him.
Mr. Gigray explained the Commission's authority mandated under state law regarding
historic buildings and,/or areas and their sipificance in history architecture, archeology,
and culture for the city, state or nation. The City of Caldwell has given the Historic
Preservation Commission power to enact ordinances for the preservation of historic
buildings etc. The Commission has conducted various studies in the area and has identified
a need to consider whether we should designate historic disricts and whether they wor:ld
be advantageous to the City. The best way to discover what citizens want is to hold public
meetings where information may be provided from people expert in their field and make
a determination based on that information. At the same time it is appropriate for the
Commission to examine other aspects of downtown development for the present and
future.
Mr. Gigray then introduced the speakers. The first speaker was Don Wans, Historic
Preservation Planner, who showed a series of slides of historic buildings which are all on
the National Historic Register. Mr. Watts explained the four areas of significance in which
selection for the register is based:
MINUTES . HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMSSION
December 3, 7992 - P.l
Io
o
1) Historic2) Architecrural or Design3) Association with a Famous Person
4) Abiliry to convey information that would normally be obtained in other ways.
Mr. Watts emphasized that inclusion on the National Historic Register does not predude
a building or site from demolition or protect it from alteration.
Idaho has several local historic disticts with design review authority, of which Boise has
four:
Hyde Park
Old Boise
8th Street Warehouse District
Harrison Boulevard
Lewiston has a local historic district with design review authoriry.
Pocatello has a commercial core historic district.
Silver City has a local historic district with design review, which is unique in that it is
administered by Owyhee County.
Wallace's commercial core is a historic district.
Priest fuver has a historic district.
AII the districts have tlree major elements in common: the rehabilitation of existing
buildings, review of plans for new construction within the district and signage.
Pocatello was one of the first districts to protect historic signs.
Mr. Watts explained that design review is not stricdy limited to historic district review but
as in Kellogg can be based on a particular theme.
Standards for rehabilitation are recorlmended for adoption because they are common
sense. One Er:ry asslrme buildings are going to change so standar& are flexible.
Mr. Watts showed examples of poor rehabilitation where design review can assist in
upgrading.
ln response to a question from Mr. Gigray, Mr. Warts said that the State Historic
Preservation OfEce would be willing to help cities and properry owners to look at types of
elements they might want to consider in an ordinance. Some examples include degree of
authority in i aeJign review, regulatory controis, incentives or a combination of both.
MINUTES - HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMSSION
December 3, 7992 - P,2
t
a o
o
The question of tax advanrages was also addressed. There are federal tax incentives for
historic buildings but no state incentives. Local incentive possibilities include reduction of
parking requirements, more flexibility in building code requirements, HUD monies,
downtown revitalization efforts, low interest loan programs. For example, Pocatello
Downtown Improvement District obtained funding for facade improvements from HUD.
Tempra Wilson was introduced, Chief Design Review Analyst for the Boise City Planning
Department. She explained that she was prepared to talk about the Boise experience and
address property owners concerns as to what historic designation would do. She felt that
design review is a vital part of successful historic districts. Ms. Wilson gave the
background to how the Boise Design Review Committee was formed and its relationship
to the Historic Preservation Commission. She emphasized that the Committee does not
look at any kind of interior consmrctiorq simply the exterior. Changes were made to the
original ordiftnce after input from the property owners.
One of the most imponant roles of the Comminee is to designate districts. City
acknowledges tlat rhere are important historic resources and the review assures buildings
will be there for the future.
There is often a lot of concern over boundaries for historic districs. It is important to look
at an area as a whole. What goes on next to a historic building affects it.
Benefits of historic districts for the public include:
will help maintain historic and architectural integnty of buildings;
Will help guide commission's decisions
Makes it more difficult to destroy buildings
For example, the Royal Block in Boise was demolished in spite of neighborhood opposition.
There is still nothing in its place. lf the building had been in a historic district the
Commission could have made a decision to protect it. There is public value in historic
districts. Ordinances can address maintenance and repaA within a district. In a residential
historic district people work together to protect a neglected home. UBC waivers are not
granted often for historic buildings but they are occasionally granted. Historic districts can
also protect [urture Eees and vegetation.
Some drawbacks are tlat historic districts do not always clearly deliniate what is
appropriate and what is not. Homeowners in residential historic diseicts have a great deal
to say in what happens to their homes, e.g. wood roofs v. asphalt roofs, metal sidings v.
wood sidings. But there has to be ordinance enforcement. tn additioq the Comprehensive
Plan has to address goals and encourage districts. There is an ordinance that sets forth
procedures, powers, etc. and logical boundaries for a district have to be established.
A major need is for a majoriry of property owners to support a district. People have to live
with the district and be part of it. People have pride in their neighborhoods and must
MINUTES - HISTOzuC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
December 3, 1992 - P.3
O
oo
o
work with the Commission, voice concerns and try to reach an accord. Failures occur
when properry owners do not support the concept.
Harrison Boulevard is a successfirl district of 129 homes (two homes were omitted due to
objections of owners), It is successful because property owners and other members of the
community got together and worked hard to inform people about what the district would
be. Work sessions were held and the ordinances were tailored to accommodate the
concerns of the property owners.
Ms. Wilson then showed slides of some districts, exterior facades and examples of what
change can do.
Bill Gigray asked Ms. Wilson what have findings been in Boise in historic districts; are the
properry owners glad they exist and does it provide stabilization and does it help them
make money.
Ms. Wilson responded that Old Boise is very profitable. Any complaints are about the
design element not about major problems. Eighth Street was suddenly cut offby a major
thoroughfare which affected it economics. Property values have risen and the historic
district has been a factor in that success.
Mr, Gigray then introduced Rick Greenfield of the Capital City Development Corporation.
Mr. Greenfield commented on the undoubted impact of shopping malls. He referred to
magazine articles which indicate a decline in the development of shopping malls which is
a good trend for downtown development. Downtowns designed 1O0 years ago are not
conducive to modem retail practice. Boise owned a number of downtown buildings and
with a community effon to revitalize, the downtown began to revive. The City went
through a study to see where the retail focus would be, particularly in areas with proximity
to older neighborhoods. Some people just do not like mall shopping. The objective is to
create an environment that is going to establish a market identity. In downtown Boise
there is a work force and neighborhoods are younger, professional, and somewhat higher
income.
Bill Gigray asked Mr. Greenfield if it was his job to contact and induce people to invest in
Boise. The response was that Capital City Development Corporation is in redevelopment,
designed to entice people downtown. In terms of recruitment there is a program not yet
implemented. The local business district will take this over. We did an informal survey
of other similar cities, The universal response was that the downtown core needs constant
care and encouragement and will require attention from City Hall and from the whole
community. It is more expensive to do business downtown than in the suburbs. If one
wants to restore and renovate the downtown core it will be expensive.
Mr. Gigray thanked the panel for their input. He stated that property owners were present
to hear what was said and also to hear what works for other people.
Mr. Gigray then asked for questions.
MNI-ITES . HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
December 3, 7992 - P.4
,
o o
o
Dennis Crooks asked whether design guidelines and standards are set for each district or
can they be tailored for each district. Tempra Wilson commented that it is the same for
each commercial district, signs, awnings, new construction. Residential districts do not
have good design guidelines. Design guidelines are recommended guideline standards for
rehabilitation. Is it feasible to look at Caldwell to set some standards that address the
needs of Caldwell that may not be as onerous. Irstead of trying to replicate historic
architecture, could the main purpose be design compatibility.
Don Watts - In terms of the Preservation Commissioq they can adopt whatever standards
we wish. The reason they recommend standards is that they are flexible. If the district is
very unique you could set your own standards but Caldwell is not unique and standards
have worked since they have been in force. They work in other communities around the
colrnury.
Phil Frye asked how would you weigh highest and best use of ten story building versus two
story building?
In the case of the Royal Block, the decision was made to relocate in 1989 and in 1990 the
demolition took place. The owners' reasons for demolishing the block were that the new
building was to be a two story and would try to reflect some of the historic integrity. Ms.
Wilson was unable to comment on the highest and best use.
Dick Winder commented that time is of the essence. When things are delayed things
cannot be done economically because of the delay. The Royal Building is a good example.
Did the owner have a plan when they tore it down? Don Watts responded that time is one
of the factors put into the project in the planning phase. Delays come about when owners
do not plan far enough ahead. A lot of delays can be avoided in regular planning phases
of development.
Bill Gigray raised questions concerning Wallace. Why did it happen? Why did people get
together? A very intense feeling of civic pride in the downtown historic core and
protection of properfy values are co[lmon motivators. Before one mgages in a historic
district one really has to do a tairly good assessment of what is the plan for the area over
the long term.
Wallace is a multitude of different ownerships. For Ca1dwe[ how do we pull all those
people into one process? Other cities in Idaho make use of urban renewal and tax
increments. An attempt to identi& a rather small central core where you can do a number
of public improvements. It is preferable to start in a very concentrated manner. If the area
is spread out and too large, the interest level is spread out also and is a difEcult renovation
problem.
A question was raised about tax increment financing.
t
MINUTES . HISTOzuC PRESERVATION COMMSSION
December 3, 1992 - P.5
o o
o o
City Council designates an area as deteriorated or deteriorating and within the defined area
and the Council creates a renewal agency with a tax increment component used to develop
that area.
Councilman Houchins talked about downtown renovation and referred to the many years
of discussion over the need to do something downtown in Caldwell for business. One of
the things that held everyone back is the physical condition. We have an opportunity to
apply for and receive a federal grant and you usually have to have matching funds in the
form of money that we have put into infrasmrcture over the last 12 months. Over the last
12 months we have spent $560,000 which would put us in a position to apply for the
maximum amount of the grant of $500,000. One of the main criteria for applying is to
have an organization in place. The grant is for downtown core areas.
There seems to be enough interest and we could attempt to set in place an organization
that would qualify to meet the criteria put forth for this grant. We need to have an
organization and officers in place and have a plan so that they will know we will continue
to try to improve and carry on in future years. There is a lot of background information
available through the CEDP. Nampa went tlrough this process. We can draw on their
experience good and bad. They made some mistakes. The used the wrong materials.
There are a few things which they would do over if they could. It is a window of
opportuniry as the earliest time is February 15 and the latest May 15. The longer we wait
the more match items we have to drop as we can only look at improvements in the last 12
months.
John Pilote then spoke regarding an interest in forming the organization to provide
leadership in whatever group chooses to undertake. The group should be composed of
people who know or operate property in the core area should continue to stay in place
representing downtown interests after the renovation takes place. We need a group whose
cofilmon goal is to revitalize downtown land to clean up the image and the infrastructure.
Teri Ottens explained that the grant referred to is a CDBG $500,000 grant application.
One of the things that has to be done within the next two to three months is to talk about
what we want to put in this gant.
John Pilote said that he is not against the district but very shy about giving the
Commission authority to say what can and czrnnot be done with a building. A historic
district may be the only way to go.
Bill Gigray commented that the Commission wants to work with people on the best way
to do things. A woman business owner stated that she saw revitalization as a detriment,
that rents became too expensive.
Bill Gigray referred to the proposed business group hoping tlat the two groups can keep
meeting together to work together for the good of Caldwell. John Pilote responded that
it was up to small businesses to work together rather than government. Dick Winder
MINUTES . HISTOzuC PRXSERVATION COMMISSION
December 3, 1.992 - P,6
o r]
O
agreed asking how much local control can we have and how much do we really want.
Management has to be in the hands of the local merchants.
Gary Vezzoso asked if there is a program or direction to be taken to attract a professional
core to Caldwell. fuck Greenfield staied that ofEce functions can be recruited into the core.
However, existence of appropriate utilities would be a concern.
Mr. Gigray thanked the Panel and all speakers for their input. He went on to say that this
is just one component of the work of the Commission.
A simple exploration of the concept of a historic district might brrild into a downtown
revitalization role. We will continue this process beyond this evening.
In January the Commission will take care of other business pendinS.
In February we will conduct another hearing when we will talk to people in Pocatello
about old Town Pocatello, the historic preservation district in Pocatello'
Chuck Randolph, Chairman, then provided closing commenE saying that the face of a
community is the downtown. Just as we recognize each other and identify each other by
our faces, so we recogrrize our town by our downtown image.
With no further business the meeting concluded at 9.45 P.m.
I
MINUTES - HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
December 3, 1992 - P.7
a o