Historic Preservation Commission

IDAHO FALLS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, April 6, 2017 4:00 p.m., Annex Conference Room Minutes Attending: Rox Mitro, Hersh Mynarcik, Tom Nance, Kim Smith, Graham Whipple, and Julie Williams (via conference call). Staff Brent McLane, Current Planner, and Debra Petty, Recording Secretary. Call to Order at 4:00 p.m. Minutes: Motion by Mitro to approve the minutes of March 2, 2017 as presented. Mynarcik seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Appointment of Rachel McMurtrey: Rachel will be appointed to the Commission at the regular City Council meeting on April 13, 2017. Expiration of Terms: Renee Magee’s term doesn’t expire until December 31, 2017. Staff needs to go through any applications previously submitted for the Commission. Pete L’Orange, SHPO: McLane said L’Orange will be in Idaho Falls April 20, 2017, from 3-5 p.m. Karen Gordon, Historic Preservation Plans: Karen Roundtable Discussion:  McLane said Magee is resigning from the Commission and asked if members had someone in mind they could recommend.  Vice-Chair Smith asked about the two major events for 2017. The 2017 National Trust Conference will be held in Chicago, Illinois, November 14th thru the 17th. The 2017 Main Street Now will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 1st thru May 3rd. Main Street Boise will be in Boise, Idaho, September 21st thru September 22nd. McLane said he budgeted for everyone to go to Main Street Boise.  Williams asked about the Historic Plan training with Karen Gordon. McLane said he arranged for her to be here the first part of May.  Williams read about the new Idaho Falls High School being proposed. She asked about the future of the Civic Auditorium. Mitro said Hummel doesn’t intend to raze the Civic Auditorium.  Williams asked about the City Building. McLane said nothing will be determined until after construction of the new fire station.  McLane said Cramer arranged for the Commission to talk to City Council on Thursday, May 22nd. He wants them to talk about the Historic Preservation Plan. The Commission has 10-15 minutes to make their presentation. He suggested forming a subcommittee to prepare their comments.  McLane received an 18-page CLG Evaluation form from SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office). He needs information about each Commission member consisting of a paragraph about their area of interest and qualifications. He will send out an email reminder. He would like the information in the next couple of weeks.  Whipple has heard there are some pending zoning changes to historic neighborhoods. He asked for information and whether the Commission could be involved. McLane said staff is looking overhauling the entire Zoning Ordinance. Staff wants to create a zone that is friendlier to historic neighborhoods. It is very preliminary and hasn’t been presented for public comment. McLane said the Commission has been involved in the Downtown Plan. He said they want to take the same model and create neighborhood plans. Whipple said an older manufactured home was sited on 14th Street which was not appropriate. His understanding is new manufactured homes are allowed, but older ones are not. McLane said the manufactured home on 14th Street went through a public hearing process for approval. Whipple expressed concern about the fire on South Water. He is afraid a manufactured home would be placed on the now vacant lot.  Whipple asked about short term rentals. McLane said the Mayor and City Council have asked staff to address HPC 1-12-17 Minutes - draft Page 1 of 2  Airbnb’s and other types of short-term rentals. Staff is having an Open House at the Public Library, January 25, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to receive public comment. Mitro noted the City Attorney is involved in the process.  Mynarcik said he, Nancy Boland, Stephanie Rose, Pam Chase, and Alex Hart have formed a neighborhood group to address issues in their historic neighborhoods.  Mynarcik would like the annual walking tour to be of historic churches on June 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. He would like to add St. Luke’s and River of Life to those listed in the brochure. He will begin making arrangements and update the Commission at the next meeting. He would like the docents to have more information about the buildings. Whipple said Loretta Evans, or her brother, may have information on the Salvation Army and the 2nd Street Chapel. Mynarcik will contact her before the next meeting.  Mynarcik said the O.E. Bell building has been vacated except for the Arugula Deli.  Mynarcik would like to contact P.J. Holm and order flags for the annual walking tour. He would like to keep the walking tour the same week each year so the flags can be reused. The meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Debra Petty, Recording Secretary HPC 1-12-17 Minutes - draft Page 2 of 2