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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-27-2012 CHPC MINUTES � ' . CALDWELL HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES - Meeting of February 27, 2012 @ 6:00 P.M. µ ��,������� � Caldwell Public Library — Idaho Room ��`-=----���' =�� I. Call to order. Chairperson Randolph called the meeting to order at approximately 6:04 p.m. II. Roll Call Members Present. Chuck Randolph, Jan Boles, Gina Lujack, Lorene Oates, Anita Shore. Members Absent., Elaine Carpenter, Eileen Davidson, Elaine Leppert, Steve Maughan, Megan Dixon Others Present. Brian Billingsley, Planning & Zoning Director; April Cabello, Planning Technician; Anne Marie Skinner, Senior Planner; Rob Hopper, City Council Liaison. Others Absent. None. III. Approval of Minutes. MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 2012 WITH CORRECTIONS. Page 1, first paragraph add "spoke by telephone" Page 2, clarify the shed that has "been there forever" to be noted as the back shed attached to the house. Page 3 towards the bottom of the third to last paragraph change "mute" to "moot" Page 4 under Old Business, change "expect" to "except" and change "competition" to "completion" MOTION: Anita S., SECOND: Lorene O., MOTION PASSED. IV. Certificate of Appropriateness Interviews. A. None. V. Audience Participation. A. Garianne Goslin; Friends of the Caldwell Depot — Historical Signage at the Caldwell Train Depot. Chuck Randolph clarified with staff the authority of the Historic Preservation Commission over this request. Staff confirmed that the Historic Preservation CHPC Meeting, February 27, 2012 Page 1 , � Commission does not have any authority to approve or deny the sign; rather, the Commission's discussion would be as a courtesy and/or recommendation. Garianne Goslin reported that all restoration has been completed at the Depot. Ms. Goslin further presented the sign that the Friends of the Caldwell Depot would like to install at the Depot to commemorate the completion with a 30x38 inch black granite plaque that would be installed on the outside of the Depot on the right- hand side of the door as one would be facing the door. The Friends of the Depot would like the sign on the exterior so everyone could see it all times, for the viewing public because the Depot is only open once a month. Gina Lujack commented that she would prefer the sign be placed on the inside of the Depot and further felt the proposed sign was really big. Councilman Hopper wondered aloud if the sign was even necessary at all, but concurred with Ms. Lujack about placement on the inside of the Depot rather than outside. Chairman Randolph would like to see a way to call attention to the earlier restoration efforts which began a long time ago, long before Friends of the Depot was established. Jan Boles commended the Friends of the Depot, but commented that he felt the sign was inappropriate and shouldn't be placed on the building. He further commented that the Oregon Shortline Railroad Depot was restored and that isn't mentioned at all in the sign. Chairman Randolph suggested perhaps working the signage into the brick pavers. He further stated he was somewhat ambivalent about it, but if it was determined there was a need for this sign, it would be good to note that the original depot was not this depot but that it was on the other side of the tracks. Chairman Randolph summed up the concerns as follows: placement, duration of the project, mentioning of Oregon Shortline Railroad. VI. Actions Since Last Meeting. A. 1823 Fillmore — April Cabello reported about a re-roof call for a flat roof on a garage that is not visible from the street. Ms. Cabello called Chairman Randolph and confirmed that it did not require a Certificate of Appropriateness since it wasn't visible from the street. Chairman Randolph concurred and the roof is being replaced without a Certificate of Appropriateness. It cannot be seen unless you're on the second floor of the house looking down on it. It does not show at all and that one was an easy judgment call. VII. Old Business A. 2011-2012 Signage Project Update — Brian B. reported that the nine signs brought to last month's meeting have been installed. Brian B. specifically referenced the sign in front of Lorene Oates' house and that it is now installed. The location of the sign for Caldwell High School was moved to the corner of 12' and Dearborn to give it more visibility. Brian B. is still waiting on the narratives to be completed for the two Crookham homes, the Simplot house, the PresidenYs house and the Church. Brian B. expressed a request for someone to volunteer to write the narratives for those sites. Jan Boles wondered about a future sign for CHPC Meeting, February 27, 2012 Page 2 the little church adjacent to the former Steunenberg property and Brian B. stated that could be looked at in the future. Brian B. stated he is waiting on one image for the Simplot/Jones sign and that it would be nice to find an image for that sign. Jan Boles will send out a query to Leon Jones' son about a possible picture. Chairman Randolph commented that the replacement of the high school sign was a good move and having the images of the buildings on the sign has been a great idea. B. 2012 CLG Grant Update — April C. reported that she spoke with Ann and they still do not have the award letter but it should be arriving soon. Ann has requested resumes from all of the Commissioners; she has received some but not all. This has to be done every four years. Ann has emailed Jan Boles separately for some information as well. C. Continued discussion on what is the jurisdiction of the Building Official in a local historic district. — Brian B. reported that Steve Maughn had wondered at the previous meeting if building codes could trump historic preservation codes. Brian B. spoke with Brett Clark, who is the Building Official, this morning and Brett confirmed that this would be the case with major renovations and major repairs; for minor repairs, like a re-roof with no structural improvements, that would not be the case. Any further questions should be directed to the Building Official. Chairman Randolph wondered about several vacant lots that have had proposals presented for new structures and where would the Historic Preservation Commission fit in those scenarios as far as setbacks and building width. Anne Marie Skinner responded that she had added a clause to the zoning ordinance a few years ago for old, narrow lots and that they do not have to meet current setbacks. She emphasized the design would still have to go to Historic Preservation Commission for approval. D. CA-159-12 — 304 S. 17�' Ave.- Shed. — Update — Chuck R. reported that he and Eileen still needed to meet with the property owner to determine an appropriate color for the shed. The property owner is in Arizona until around March 7 and a meeting would be set sometime in March upon his return. The property owner had been proposing the garage color and Chuck R. feels this color would make the shed stand out more than leaving it with its current color. Chuck R. is frustrated that the shed is of such a size that a building permit is not required and the non-existent driveway that is being used as a driveway over the pedestrian ramp and sidewalk. Discussion ensued regarding the use of the pedestrian ramp as a driveway approach. Anne Marie Skinner stated the use of the pedestrian ramp as a driveway approach would be something for Police Code Enforcement to handle and recommended that someone lodge a complaint. Lorene Oates wondered about the code enforcement process and if he would comply. Anne Marie Skinner explained the code enforcement process and the lack of recourse if someone wants to ignore a code enforcement complaint, that Code Enforcement really relies on the 90% of the people who comply when put on notice, but there isn't a lot that can be done about the 10% who don't want to comply. VIII. New Business. CHPC Meeting, February 27, 2012 Page 3 . A. Discussion of some changes to the CHPC ordinance, tips on running the meetings and a 5-year comprehensive plan. — Anne Marie Skinner and Brian B. Anne Marie Skinner reviewed the proposed revised ordinance for the Historic Preservation Commission. She reported that there are items in the existing ordinance that are unclear, inconsistent and contradictory to State code. The revised ordinance is a compilation of the existing ordinance, State code, and items from Boise's code for Historic Preservation. She reviewed the purpose and added some items from State code. The de�nition portion reflects the existing definitions as well as additions from the State code and from the National Register code. She reviewed the addition of term limits, which is consistent with all other Planning and Zoning commissions. Commissioners would be limited to three consecutive terms. The current ordinance does not have term limits. Rob Hopper suggested revising the quorum to be "greater than 50% of the current members" rather than 5 or more. Page 5 lists the procedures, rules and officers. Most of this is reflective of the current ordinance. The one thing proposed to be changed is to have Planning and Zoning staff always be the secretary/clerk. This allows for consistent record keeping and is consistent with Boise's commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Rob Hopper suggested adding language regarding action taken through email votes and allowing for discussion without action being taken. Page 6 is mostly identical to the current ordinance with the addition of a historic comprehensive plan. Page 7 is re-written completely to be completely consistent with State code regarding the requirements for becoming a local historic district. Page 8 lists the notification process and public hearings. Planning and Zoning , Commission must have a public hearing as per state code, for designation of local historic districts. The current ordinance is vague on this process and the proposed ordinance makes it very clear and specific. Pages 10 and 11 discuss the Historic Preservation Commission's jurisdiction over issuance of Certificates of Appropriateness. This section is mostly identical to the existing ordinance with the addition of requiring certificates for addition and removal of landscaping and trees, except if deemed diseased or hazardous by the city forester. Pages 12 and 13 are the process and application requirements which are pretty much the same as the existing ordinance. Page 14 lists the approval and denial information for certificates of appropriateness and added whether or not the property is contributing or non- contributing as being a factor in approval or denial. Rob Hopper wanted to make sure something was in the ordinance to address emergency situations where a Certificate of Appropriateness needed to be issued immediately and couldn't wait for either a meeting or a public hearing. CHPC Meeting, February 27, 2012 Page 4 Lorene Oates asked for clarification on a historic landmark. Anne Marie Skinner responded that for anything to be an official historic landmark or a local historic district it must be designated through the public hearing process and local ordinance. Ms. Oates wondered about something on Canyon Hill. Ms. Skinner responded that nothing on Canyon Hill is an official historic landmark or a local historic district; therefore the Historic Preservation Commission has no authority over anything on Canyon Hill. Ms. Skinner further clarified the differing authority between a local historic district and that of a landmark. Jan Boles wondered about a structure burning down and being re-built on the same foundation and if that was new construction or a replacement. Ms. Skinner responded that would be new construction. Lorene Oates wondered about houses falling into disrepair. Ms. Skinner responded that there is a section in the ordinance about ordinary repairs. Boise's ordinance has several pages regarding disrepair and neglect and Ms. Skinner contemplated adding something similar to our ordinance, but decided against it based upon City Council having dismissed a similar idea a few years ago. Ms. Skinner reviewed the addition on Page 15 about acquisition of property and acquisition of historic easements as being consistent with State code. Rob Hopper wanted clarification at the top of Page 7 that objects shall meet "at minimum" one of the below requirements. Ms. Skinner asked the commissioners to continue to review the ordinance over the next month and let her know of any other additional changes. Brian Billingsley reviewed meeting procedure by handing out a Procedural Due Process booklet and introduced a video tape that will be shown at the next meeting. April Cabello said it was a video sent to her by Ann Swanson and iYs about 30 minutes long. It's called "Defensible Decision Making" and will be viewed at the next meeting when there is more time and more members are present. Brian Billingsley then went into a discussion regarding a five-year work plan for the Historic Preservation Commission. Presently there is not a work plan, just a chapter in the Comprehensive Plan. Staff and Ann Swanson thought it would be a great idea to put together a five-year working plan for the Commission. Brian B. worked this morning researching other cities and plans and found one he liked ', the best from Franklin, Tennessee which he presented to the group. Brian B. reviewed the plan with the group and stated he would begin working on adapting this plan for Caldwetl over the next month. He requested the group to think of any projects they would like added to the plan and to send him an email accordingly. The projects can be prioritized by year and it will give the Commission things to work on with, not only preservation, but with promotion as well. Ideas such as a Facebook page and a walking tour were discussed as well as education and training ideas for historic preservation commissioners. Chuck Randolph mentioned that one of the benefits of term limits would allow former commissioners to give their time to a neighborhood historic district and form perhaps a Steunenberg Neighborhood Association with freed-up time. Lorene Oates wanted to know when the term limit limitation would begin — would it start now and allow for an additional three terms or would it start now and count the CHPG Meeting, February 27, 2012 Page 5 • _ . , , terms already served. Her concern was loss of knowledge of history and background and continuity. B. Discussion of 10 45-second historic sound bites with pictures/illustrations for Nicole Navarro of KBOITV2. - Jan B. Jan Boles reported that Dan Everhardt came over and urged Elaine Carpenter to submit the Hat for an Orchid Award. The TAG group has a contract of a way to observe the 100-year anniversary of the Boise Loop. Elaine C. volunteered to complete all the forms for that award. Jan Boles received in the mail notification from SHPO that next year will be the observance of the Sesquicentennial of the Idaho Territory. They have asked for communities to identify buildings constructed in 1890 or prior. Jan B. reviewed Elaine Leppert's and Lorene Thurston's book and came up with two buildings — the two cabins in the park. Jan B. prepared an email report with pictures and sent it off with a statement that he would follow-up with anything else. Chuck Randolph mentioned the Isaac House. Jan B. stated Nicole Navarro was given the assignment to create 100 45-second � historic sound bites that will run on Channel 2 from now until November. Of those 100 sound bites, Ms. Navarro determined Caldwell should have 10 of them. Jan B. told Ms. Navarro he would bring it to the Commission for discussion and decisions. The Commission needs to come up with 10 categories and then iYs very easy for Jan B. to compile the information. Jan B. stated there would be the Steunenberg situation, the College of Idaho as the first college, the fact that Caldwell served for so many years as the economic hub of Canyon County. He requested Commissioners to make a list and send it to him and they could then be prioritized. He further mentioned the Oregon Trail. Brian B. mentioned the train depot. Rob Hopper mentioned the anniversary of the county fair this year as well as the interurban idea and the Hat. Brian B. mentioned the bridge. Chuck R. requested everyone to forward Jan B. their ideas. Jan B. was contacted relating to the Canyon County Fair and the history of the fair. They were amazed to learn the state fair had once been across from Cleveland. Chuck R. commented the Idaho State Fair was here from 1912 to 1916. Brian B. mentioned the Caldwell Night Rodeo. Lorene Oates mentioned Preservation Idaho's next meeting is in May at the Masonic Temple in Boise. IX. Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by April Cabello, MINUTES APPROVED AND SIGNED BELOW BY CHAIRPERSON CHUCK RANDOLPH ON THE DATE NOTED BELOW. ��/' � 3 ���z Chairperson Randolph Date � _ �-- � � 4 � 2 A EST: Brian Billingsley, P& Z Director Date CHPC Meeting, February 27, 2012 Page 6