Historic Preservation Commission

IDAHO FALLS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Special Meeting Thursday, January 18, 2018 12:00 p.m., Annex Conference Room Minutes Attending: Kim Smith-Chair, Hereschell Mynarcik, Graham Whipple, Roxane Mitro, Renee Magee, Rachel McMurtrey, Catherine Smith Meeting called to order at 12:04 p.m. Minutes: Motion by Roxane was made to approve minutes from January 4, 2018 as written. Hereschell seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. I.O.O.F. Building –Façade Improvement Project 393 Park Ave. and 421 A St.: Roxane recused herself, due to a conflict of interest. Brent went over the staff report and a presentation. He explained that this is a result of a façade grant application and this body is a recommending commission to SHPO. The structure was built in 1909. The applicant is changing paint color and the store front in phase one. In phase two the applicant, Tasha Taylor is proposing to add the archway from the original façade, change the entrance to a central location, change the windows on the main floor, the windows on the second floor have already been replaced. The applicant plans to paint the brick, accent areas, and caps on the roof top. The plan is to restore the building to its original design. The commission went over the color swatches. The applicant, Tasha Taylor added that the awnings will go back on the building or replaced. Brent stated that the storefront meets the design guidelines. Jaime with SHPO, walked through the building and recommended the original design. The Woolworths façade will be removed. Renee pointed out that the Woolworths was located there from 1920-1970. She felt the Woolworths façade was more significant than the original because it has been there longer than the original façade and means more to the community than the original façade. There was a long discussion regarding the original façade vs the Woolworths façade. Some talking points included; the age of the façade and how that plays into the guidelines, the building is listed on the registry with the existing façade. Renee and Graham felt it was important not to erase 98 years of history by going back to the original façade. Graham explained that he was uncomfortable making a recommendation based on the information that was submitted. He felt the proposal needed more detail. Catherine indicated that she was excited for the project and had no issues with the proposal of the original façade. She stated that it is important for downtown and trusts that the firm chosen would do what’s right. Other discussion included faux-stone, the recessed entryway, an exposed steel beam above the proposed arch and approving funds for professional services. Renee made a motion to send a letter to SHPO with the additional information and concerns of the commission regarding the current façade to be submitted to Lisa Farris, Grant Administrator within 5 business days. Hereschell seconded the motion. Graham amended the motion to include approving funds for professional services. The applicant objected to the amendment and the motion was not seconded therefore, the motion to amend the motion died. Lisa explained the applicant had the right to do that without a motion or recommendation by the commission. The original motion was still on the table. Renee went over the items to of concerns to be listed in the letter to SHPO. Catherine and Graham voted in opposition, everyone else voted in favor. Motion carried. Jacob Grant, LLC. –Façade Improvement Project 490 Park Ave. Brent went over the staff report and presentation. He indicated that the applicant would be adding transom windows to the design. Sliding windows would open up to the street. The entrance would be moved to the far south side of the building and the entrance to the second floor would be next to it. There will be exposed posts and beams. The building is contributing, but not on the registry. The nomination was not approved. There was discussion regarding the bulkhead, concerns regarding changing the dynamic of the intersection with the pocket park across from the building by relocating the entrance. There were concerns expressed by the commission regarding the Nanawall and the height of the floorline. The applicant, Jacob Durtschi, explained more of the proposed design and materials. There were concerns with the lack of information in the sketch / plans, there were also concerns regarding the maintaining the lines with the adjacent buildings. Graham stated he was excited to see where this project could go, but had an issue with not seeing the whole picture. The applicant asked the commission to provide an itemized list of recommendations. Graham made a motion to provide a bulletted list of recommendations and maybe a walk through the building. Brent reminded the commission that a recommendation needed to be made to SHPO to either approve or deny. The applicant withdrew his application and stated he would resubmit. Brent asked the commission to send him their thoughts and send them to him. The commission decided to add a review of the Façade Guidelines as an agenda item for the next meeting. Kim adjourned the meeting at 1:45 p.m. Respectfully, Naysha Foster, Recording Secretary ACTION ITEMS Letter listing concerns and information to SHPO Renee for I.O.O.F. Building to be turned into Lisa within 5 business days. Send recommendations for Façade Commission (E-mail thoughts Brent) Improvements to Jacob Durrschi for the 490 Park Ave. Building. Send Downtown Façade Guidelines to the Naysha Commission to review for the next meeting.