February 19, 2008, 8:00 a.m.
Historic Preservation Commission
City Commission Room, Fargo City Hall
Agenda
1. Approve Minutes – January 15 meeting
2. Bylaws Revisions
3. Detention Center Update
4. Woodruff’s Historic Overlay Update
5. Fargo Landmarks Project
6. Storefront Rehab Grant Program
7. 5 Year Plan
8. Comprehensive Historic Overview
9. Other Business
10. Liaison Reports
• Planning Commission – Christine Kloubec
• Board of Adjustment – Paul Gleye
• House Moving Board – Paul Gleye
• Housing Rehab – David Shultz
• Renaissance Zone Authority – Peter Moynihan
11. Next Meeting – March 18
Regular Meeting Minutes of February 19, 2008
Present: Claire Strom, Paul Gleye, Peter Moynihan, Melissa Sobolik, Andrew Nielsen
Absent: David Shultz, Christine Kloubec
Chair Claire Strom called the meeting to order.
Item 1. Approve Minutes of the January 15, 2008 meeting
(8:05 a.m.) Hearing no comments on the minutes, the minutes stand approved as presented.
Item 2. Bylaws Revisions
(8:06 a.m.) Dawn Mayo stated the date of the annual meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission has been changed to follow November 1 each year to conform to the Land Development Code.
Ms. Mayo clarified the second revision in the bylaws on page 3, section 4 outlining the liaison relationships.
Peter Moynihan moved to accept the revisions of the Historic Preservation bylaws. Second by Paul Gleye. All Members present voted aye. The motion was declared carried.
Item 3. Detention Hospital Update
(8:07 a.m.) Chair Strom gave an update on the Fargo Detention Hospital, 57 11th Avenue North. She stated there will be an open house at the Detention Hospital Thursday, February 28, 2008 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. She further explained that bids will be due to Cass County March 17, 2008. She stated several individuals have toured the Hospital. She also noted that residential property is not a viable option for the Hospital, but perhaps the 2nd floor could be used for business. In conclusion, she stated that an ad will be placed in the paper advertising the open house.
Ms. Mayo commented that the building had previously received a HOME grant of approximately $86,000. She also stated that if the building is not used for affordable housing, the grant would need to be paid; or if the building is torn down, the grant would need to be repaid as well.
Chair Strom mentioned that a student is putting together an adaptable reuse proposal for the building. She added that if anyone should be added to the list of invitees for the open house to contact her.
Item 4. Woodruff’s Historic Overlay Update
(8:12 a.m.) Ms. Mayo stated that the proposed Woodruff’s Historic Overlay District was approved at the last Planning Commission meeting with the exclusion of Block 6 and the north half of Block 7. She stated the next step is to present Woodruff’s Historic Overlay to the City Commission for approval.
Item 5. Fargo Landmarks Project
This item was moved to Item 7. in the agenda.
Item 6. Storefront Rehab Grant Program
(8:14 a.m.) Ms. Mayo informed the Commission that there is potentially $75,000 available for storefront applications. She stated that the Community Development Committee will be discussing the budget at their next meeting on February 21, 2008. She continued, stating that storefront grant funding needs a 50/50 match from the applicant, the plans need to follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, and the plans are also reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission.
Melissa Sobolik requested a copy of the Standards.
Item 7. 5 Year Plan
(8:17 a.m.) Chair Strom expressed that she would like to focus on local landmarks and National Register nominations. She stated Ms. Mayo has put together a map of the city to use for the comprehensive overview. She also commented that the Commission needs to determine what areas of the city the CLG grant money will go towards.
Ms. Mayo announced she has mailed the CLG grant proposal. She suggested several options for the Commission to select for the grant survey area, such as: expanding the Northside Residential Historic District, nominating a district in the Oak Grove neighborhood, nominating the Island Park area, or nominating several of the Fargo Public School buildings.
To clarify, Ms. Mayo stated the grant money could be used towards a survey, along with a nomination. She mentioned the majority of the last surveys were conducted in the 1980’s and could be updated.
Chair Strom questioned how the Commission feels the City could be divided into potential historic overlay zones.
Ms. Mayo replied that she has been initially looking at hiring a consultant to do a survey - the location would need to be determined.
Chair Strom’s concern is how far the allotted funding amount will go towards a survey and how long it will take.
Paul Gleye questioned what the State’s guidelines are.
In answer, Ms. Mayo stated the main goal for the grant is to nominate buildings to the National Register of Historic Places.
Peter Moynihan moved to nominate the Oak Grove area to survey. All Members present voted aye. The motion was declared carried.
Ms. Mayo asked for clarification on the specific boundaries for the Oak Grove area. The Commission determined that everything east of Oak Street be included.
Chair Strom suggested establishing subcommittees to look into other possible historic overlay districts and national landmarks. She stated that possible districts and landmarks would be recommended to the Mayor. She said she hopes to get something started this May and nominate a couple sites each year.
Ms. Mayo will research other community’s guidelines for designating local landmarks. Andrew Nielson and Melissa Sobolik volunteered to be on the landmark subcommittee.
Item 8. Comprehensive Historic Overview
(8:41 a.m.) Chair Strom commented that she has worked on the historic overview in the past and will continue to work on it going forward. Peter Moynihan and Paul Gleye volunteered to assist.
Item 9. Other Business
(8:42 a.m.) Chair Strom requested a resolution to thank Paul Gleye for his invaluable leadership over the past 6 years he served as chair of the Historic Preservation Commission.
Andrew Nielsen made a motion to thank Paul Gleye for his service. All Members present voted aye. The motion was declared carried.
Item 10. Liaison Reports
(8:44 a.m.) There were no liaison reports brought forth.
Item 11. Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2008.
The time at adjournment was 8:44 a.m.