Historic Preservation Commission

IDAHO FALLS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, December 7, 2017 4:00 p.m., Annex Conference Room Minutes Attending: Kim Smith-Chair, Hereschell Mynarcik, Graham Whipple, Roxane Mitro, and Renee Magee Meeting called to order at 4:10 p.m. Minutes: Motion by Roxane was made to approve minutes with a correction of spelling to Carrie Getty- Schied’s last name from November 2, 2017. Hereschell seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Update on the Bonneville Hotel-Jerry Myers Jerry went through a power point presentation (Exhibit A). He covered two building projects in the presentation. The first was the Whitman Hotel in Pocatello, done in 2004 and the other was the Bonneville Hotel in Idaho Falls. The Whitman is similar to the Bonneville with lower level commercial, upper level residential. The owner is the same, the type of housing is the same as well as the funding. Jerry went over the Whitman project from start to finish. Showing before and after pictures, floor plans, and financial breakdown. He also went over some of the financial and design challenges of the project which he anticipates will also come up during the Bonneville project. He then went over the proposed project for the Bonneville. Showing pictures throughout time. He then went over the vision, which includes 35 units with laundry, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom studios, a restaurant, and other commercial entities in the front of the main floor, some housing in the back. Two stair towers will be added, one with an elevator. The store sign and store front will be revitalized. He then went over the anticipated financial breakdown. In closing, Jerry answered questions from the Commission. Update on the Civic Auditorium Project Brent explained that Brad has been talking with Pam and the value of listing it and what that can do for them (the Committee). Brent also explained that the Historic Preservation Commission (Commission) should tread lightly because the committee feels threatened in their process. Phase one is done. The Commission will be included on the agenda for their next meeting. They would like to know more detail as to what this Commission would like to talk to them about. Their biggest concern is they do not want to have to ask the Historic Preservation Commissions’ permission to do anything. Brent asked that the Commission be aware of that and to be clear in explaining the Commission’s intent of being involved. Graham attended the meeting they had a week ago and was surprised that they were not aware of Historic Preservation Commission. He explained to them that they would benefit in having a master plan for future phases of the project. Graham shared a few things from the meeting and thought that if the Commission explains to them why the Historic Preservation Commission is here and what the Commission has to offer they would look at Historic Preservation Commission as a resource instead of feeling threatened. There was discussion of having someone from the Historic Preservation Commission sit on the Committee if they are willing. Graham stated that there was great discussion. The HPC would like to be a resource to the committee in identifying which portions of the building are historic. The Commission discussed reaching out to Julie to attend the meeting because she understands tax credits and grants and would do a good job in explaining why HPC would be a good resource. Brent will reach out to Julie. Their next meeting is on December 13th. Brent and Brad will be there. Historic Preservation Plan-Public Outreach Discussion The Commission would like to get rolling on public outreach in February or March. Julie spoke with Renee and agreed to take the lead on public outreach, but feels like the Commission has moved beyond her and she may not be the best person to do this. Renee gave the Commission a handout (Exhibit B). Renee feels she is in the left column and according to minutes from previous meetings the Commission is in the other column. Renee is under the impression that the Commission would like to educate and inform. There is nothing wrong with that, but that in Renee’s thoughts are that “outreach” means participation. Renee does not get the impression that the Commission wants participation. Renee asked why the Commission would like to educate and inform before doing the plan. She suggested to do the plan and then do the education and information with the plan, otherwise what are you going to get back from the citizens to put in the plan? After some discussion the Commission is more interested in the doing the things in the left column, but may need to layout some of the terms. Renee suggested the questions to the public be phrased in a way that specific terms not be used at all. Due to time this matter was tabled to next month’s meeting. Roundtable Discussion Brent suggested that the meeting time be changed. Brad has conflicts with his directors meetings and Roxane usually has conflicting meetings. The commission decided 12:00 would be more convenient. Effective January. Kim adjourned the meeting at 5:03 p.m. Respectfully, Naysha Foster, Recording Secretary