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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 11/08/1989r 0 LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 8, 1989 The meeting began at approximately 5:30 p.m. at 200 West Mountain Avenue. Members present included Sally Ketcham, Jim Tanner, Rheba Massey, Andy Mutz, Ruth Weatherford, and Bud Frick. Prescott Handley was absent. Staff was represented by Kari VanMeter and Carol Tunner. Joyce Lewton acted as Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Ketcham made a motion to approve the minutes with the correction to the spelling of Mr. Mutz' name, Line 2, Page 1, of the October 4, 1989 minutes. Mr. Tanner seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 6-0. CURRENT ITEMS General Fund Budget Cuts Mr. Tom Peterson, Planning Director, informed the Commission about the Gen- eral Fund budget cuts for the 1990 work year. Out of the $20,000 requested for consulting work for the implementation of the Downtown Plan, $18,000 was cut by the administration. Mr. Peterson does, however, expect the money will be back in the budget for the 1991 work year. The Commission should apply to the Planning Department to use the remaining � $2,000 of identified funds as a portion of in -kind matching funds for the Critical Issues Fund. 1990 LPC WORK PLAN Two plans were presented by Ms. VanMeter: 1) Plan A pursues the Critical Issues Fund and deals with the study of the economics of historic preservation. In addition, it incorporates many of the objectives of the Strategic Plan. The downside of Plan A is that its implementation will defer pursuing CLG for at least one year. 2) Plan B, which would be pursued if the CIF study is derailed either by the failure to get matching one-to-one funds or if the application for funds is not approved, is the Assessment of Certified Local Government Designation. The downside of Plan B is the lack of autonomy CLG cities have with the use of these funds. Ms. Massey pointed out that deferral of CLG should not be a detriment for Plan A since there is now a push on for more autonomy with CLG funds. With a waiting period of at least a year, by the time the Commission is ready to pursue CLG, some of the bureaucratic red tape may have been eliminated. Ms. Ketcham questioned Staff regarding the amount which LPC should request for the Critical Issues Fund. Ms. VanMeter replied that she needed to research the question as well as whether in -kind contributions constituted matching funds. If in -kind contributions are considered matching, the grant request would be for approximately $15,000. Ms. Weatherford made a motion to approve Plan A for the Critical Issues Fund while deferring Plan B, CLG designation, and that a small team begin work on the development of the grant application. Mr. Tanner seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 6-0. Ms. Massey stated that she and Ms. VanMeter should do research relating to current adopted land use and neighborhood plans and their implementation problems. The goal of the small work team comprised of Ms. Weatherford, Ms. Ketcham, Mr. Tanner, Ms. Massey and Ms. VanMeter would be to apply the findings of the Critical Issues Fund study to resolve those problems. WATER WORKS UPDATE Mr. Dick Beardmore appeared before the Commission with an update on the renovation of the Water Works Plant. He presented pictures of the site and several artifacts found on -site. The property is being and will be further secured to prevent vandalism and is now a more viable property. As of this date, a tenant has not been found. LINDEN HOTEL Staff suggested a CDBG grant might be an alternative for the restoration of the Linden Hotel but warned the grants have been traditionally awarded to Social Services. Mr. Beardmore stated several neighbors had approached Council with complaints about the Linden Hotel deterioration and expressed hope that the Downtown Development Authority, the City, the Historical Preservation Society or a combination would move to at least stabilize the building and then find a tenant for the interior renovation. BLOCK 31 Mr. Carr Bieker for the Architects' Studio presented several options which could be considered for additional office space by the City and County govern- ments. The total space needed is anticipated to be 200,000 - 250,000 square feet by the year 2005. The time table is flexible from 5-15 years depending upon court needs. All of the plans presented have sensitivity to the historical context of the downtown area as to character and density. -2- 0 The study has been done in two phases and while the development has been planned, the recommendation will be to continue to lease the required space and decentralize the downtown government network rather than build. ROGERS PARK Staff advised the Commission that the old barn in Rogers Park is threatened by the small park going in on West Mulberry and encourages the members to assist the Parks Board in finding as use for the barn rather than have it destroyed. HARMONY ROAD STRUCTURES REPORT The report, done strictly as a survey, was circulated. Several pictures as well as the related history of the structures were discussed. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 p.m. Minutes submitted by Joyce Lewton. -3-