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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 06/02/1993• 0 LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Minutes June 2, 1993 Council Liaison: Gerry Horak Staff Liaison: Joe Frank SUMMARY OF MEETING: After reviewing various approaches for installing flower boxes at 223 Linden Street, the Commission and applicant decided more information was needed. The Commission explored the Linden Hotel funding. A proposal was presented to preserve the barn on Cunningham Corner. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission Chairperson Jennifer Carpenter called the meeting to order at 5:58 pm, 281 N. College Avenue. Present were Chairperson Carpenter and Commission members Richard Hill and Kirk Jensen. Ruth Weatherford arrived later in the meeting, and Mr. Hill left, so a quorum was not present. James Tanner and Bud Frick were absent. Carol Tunner and Joe Frank represented staff. GUESTS: Gerry Horak, City Council Liaison; Jacques Rieux, proprietor of Stone Lion; Michael Schultz, photographer for Cable Communications; Vicki Stroud, tenant of 223 Linden Street, Reed-Dauth Block; Mitch Morgan, developer of the Linden Hotel; Greg Byrne, CPFS Director for the City; Dick Beardmore, CSU Stabilization Center; Ed Davis, pastor of Christ Fellowship Church. AGENDA REVIEW: Ms. Tunner noted that Mr. Davis would arrive later to make a proposal regarding the Cunningham Corner property this evening. STAFF REPORT: Ms. Tunner gave out invitations to the Preservation Leadership Training Institute. Ms. Tuner passed out information on the upcoming CLG Grant -Designation Video for members to review before further filming next week. She also explained that Michael Schultz would be videotaping Jacques Rieux interacting with the Commission this evening for the CLG video (which has been commissioned to explain the designation procedure). Mr. James Hartman, the State Historic Preservation Officer, has decided that the Welch Block Designation should come before the State Advisory Board at their November meeting so that they can review the renovation in its finished form. Ms. Tunner distributed a letter from the LPC written at the request of Mitch Busteed, owner of 229-235 Jefferson Street, to the Jefferson Street Coalition supporting moving truck traffic off Jefferson Street. COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORTS: Chairperson Carpenter reported that the City Council work session on the Linden Hotel was positive and generated many good questions. It seemed likely that the questions would go back to staff and another work session would be scheduled. CURRENT DESIGN REVIEW: Mr. Rieux updated the Commission on current progress of the Welch Block renovation while Mr. Schultz videotaped. Landmark Preservation Commission Special Meeting Minutes June 2, 1993 Page 2 • .I_S F • 0 Vicki Stroud presented a sketch of sidewalk level flower boxes for 223 Linden Street and suggested alternative methods of installation. First, the downstairs tenant would approve the boxes if the height is lowered 4 inches. Second, possibly the boxes could be constructed with a 4 inch lip and installed in the right-of-way. Ms. Tanner suggested contacting Dave Stringer of the City Engineering Dept. regarding use of the right-of-way. Other possibilities will be explored at the June 9 meeting. In the subsequent discussion after Ms. Stroud left, Mr. Byrne noted that she may want to postpone plans until the Linden Hotel renovation and general street improvements are finalized. Ms. T unner will relay that information to Mrs. Stroud and also plans by the Downtown Development Authority to extend streetscape amenities to the 200 block of Linden Street. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Mr. Frank began by noting that the LPC has previously discussed making possible recommendation to the City Council that the Linden Hotel project receive $350,000 for facade renovation, including $100,000 to come through the Rehabilitation Grant Program of the Historic Preservation Fund. Mr. Morgan noted that the project is feasible only with public participation. He informed the Commission that the project in now entering its' second phase. The first step was the concept phase and bringing in possible venture partners. The concept includes a restaurant, lounge and performing arts center in the Salvation Army building. Design work will be done on both the Salvation Army Building and the Linden Hotel. Ms. Carpenter asked if the funding request is only for the Linden Hotel or the Salvation Army site, tool Mr. Morgan replied that Dennis Sinnett, contractor, has submitted bids of $350,000 for the Linden Hotel and $150,000 totalling $500,000. Mr. Byrne stated that there are three important relationships under consideration here. First, the relationship of the City with the DDA; second, the city relationship with the private developer; and third, the relationship between the developer and the LPC. Mr. Byrne agreed that City Council may need another work session and enumerated several key points. He was concerned with financial protection for the City; that all LPC standards be met before the developer is reimbursed; that the agreement with the developer not include a reduction in Landmark Preservation Commission Special Meeting Minutes June 2, 1993 Page 3 property tax assessments; that the City be reimbursed to some degree if the project is successful; and that other downtown projects, such as Stormwater Utility projects be coordinated with this project. He mentioned that the downtown area is likely to be designated an enterprise zone and eligible for financial incentives, affecting buildings vacant for two years or more. Mr. Byrne said he would like to hear more about the requirements for rehabilitation. Ms. Carpenter stated that the Commission can offer a wealth of expertise and Mr. Morgan said he would appreciate such help. He is interested in the tax credits for historic preservation and will consult with the LPC about the requirements. Mr. Horak asked if there would be some sort of "not to exceed agreement." Mr. Morgan explained that the City was protected in this way. He felt the grant would be more appropriately called a contract and noted that the City staff is looking at a number of funding items. Ms. Carpenter explained that the LPC was using the term grant as it is used in the HRPP. Mr. Horak stated that the Linden Hotel funding is actually a staff request of the LPC rather than a City Council request. Ms. Carpenter agreed that the Commission had similar concerns. Ms. Tunner mentioned that Mr. Tanner had aired similar questions at the previous meeting including the importance of public benefit, that the HRPP grant fund was not set up yet, that the application for funding be an open process, and that there was concern on the part of the LPC for future replacement funding from Council. Mr. Horak suggested an approach to public benefit --videotaping progress for the public to see what the project is about and the LPC expressed interest. Ms. T unner suggested public benefits of a facade easement in perpetuity or requiring LPC review with interior renovation since the second and third floors have much unique historic fabric in place. These discussions were continued to the June 9 Special Meeting at 6:30 pm. Mr. Davis, at the suggestion of Suzanne Edminster, City Financial Policy Analyst, requested a letter of support for his proposal to buy the Cunningham Comer property and preserve the barn. He requested funding assistance, a flexible plan, and support with standards and expertise. Landmark Preservation Commission Special Meeting Minutes June 2, 1993 Page 4 Mr. Frank asked if he had an estimate of how much he would need and for what. Mr. Davis explained that he had been consulting with Mr. Beardmore to find out what the barn would require to be stabilized. Mr. Jensen explained that the Commission is currently unclear about how much funding is available. Mr. Davis replied that his group is preparing to make an offer to the City. Ms. Carpenter inquired if they would be seeking designation and Mr. Davis affirmed that they would. Mr. Jensen noted that another group seeking to purchase this property would not preserve the barn and barn preservation is desirable. Ms. Tunner noted that previous bids had been too low and the City had rejected them. Ms. Carpenter asked Mr. Beardmore if the barn could be moved and Mr. Beardmore said he would need to evaluate its current condition but he believed it could be moved. Mr. Davis mentioned that his plans included that the barn would be moved twice and that three temporary buildings would be installed behind it. Mr. Frank asked how long they were planning to leave the temporaries and Mr. Davis replied that they hoped to move them to other sites on the property eventually. Mr. Frank also suggested that Mr. Davis speak with Planning's Development Center and discuss the current zoning designation. Mr. Davis has discussed a master plan for the property with Mr. Bud Frick. Mr. Beardmore suggested looking into applying for a state mini -grant for emergency stabilization of the bam on the behalf of the Church. Ms. Tunner said the barn is eligible for local landmark and national register status. Ms. Carpenter said that the Commission should look into applying for the mini -grant. In reply to Mr. Frank's question regarding timing, Mr. Davis said they would need to have firm answers by sometime this summer or they would need to move on to other possibilities. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm. Submitted by Diane Slater, Secretary.