Historic Preservation Commission

IDAHO FALLS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, May 6, 2021 12:00 p.m., Annex Conference Room And WebEx Minutes Members Present: Rachel McMurtrey (Chair), Christopher White (Vice Chair), Hereschell Mynarcik, Kim Smith, Catherine Smith, Carrie Athay Also Present: Kerry Beutler (CDS Assistant Director), Anas Almassrahy (Planner), Julie Anglesey (prospective HPC member), Lisa Farris (City of Idaho Falls Grant Administrator), Greg Croft (engineer for façade application), Jeremy Galbreath (City Police Officer), Chris Canfield (Assistant Public Works Director), and Clint (last name not provided, private citizen) Meeting Called to Order: Rachel called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. Minutes: Hereschell made a motion to approve the minutes from April 1, 2021. Kim seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. New Member Update: Anas informed the Commission that Mayor Casper would conduct short telephone interviews with the three HPC candidates later that afternoon and they would hopefully be appointed by the City Council on May 13, 2021. Façade Application Request: Greg informed the Commission they are doing the façade portion of the project at 365 Park Ave., Idaho Falls, Idaho in two phases. He said this building is unique because it faces the alley and has full exposure to the rear. Phase one will improve the brick portion of the alley and the rear alley visible from Capital Ave. They will also restore window openings that have been bricked over and replace the vinyl windows with windows comparable to the original. Phase two will be repairing the front façade where the terra cotta wraps around the side of the building. They will repair the dents and replace missing pieces of terra cotta bringing it back to its former life. Greg explained that the missing terra cotta pieces have posed a challenge as it is expensive and not used often. They have found a company that will copy the existing façade and will order the terra cotta from them. Hereschell asked what the plans are to replace the brick and patch missing bricks. Greg stated that they will hire a mason that has the experience needed to make sure everything is done correctly. Greg also said that the coal shoot and the rear door will remain the same. Lisa told the Commission that although only phase one is being done right now, they want to approve both phases, so they don’t need to come back to the Commission at a later date. Lisa informed the Commission that they are asking for $25,000 for phase one and $25,000 for phase two. Catherine made a motion that the HPC provide a recommendation in support of the application. Kim seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Stack Yard Historical Project: Kerry informed the Commission that he, Jeremy Galbreath (Police Department), and Chris Canfield (Public Works) have been doing some environmental assessments with the EPA grant. As a result of that environmental work SHPO has made a determination that the stockyard site is individually eligible, and the other structures are contributing historically. Because the City purchased this land and plan to build the Police Station on the property, we need to determine what appropriate mitigation would be through SHPO. Once this is done the City would enter into a memorandum of agreement with SHPO. Today for the Commission there is a couple of action items needed to be determined; any advice or recommendations on possible mitigation action, advice on their approach, what has worked in the past, or any best practices the Commission may be aware of. Also, for the mitigation approach SHPO recommended project goals of providing a public benefit and mutually agreed to by all consulting parties. Kerry showed mockups of an indoor museum concept that would be housed in the lobby of the police station, and an entry plaza concept that would be directly outside the entrance to the station. Kerry asked the Commission if they had any wants, thoughts, ideas, or recommendations to get the project pushed through? Carrie Athay said she thinks it would be important to utilize some original artifacts from the property itself and that most people would not go into the police station. The majority of the signage, artifacts, and pictures should be outside in the plaza. The Commission discussed these ideas agreeing with Carrie Athay and approving the concepts Kerry Beutler discussed. Kerry also asked for a subcommittee within the HPC for assistance with the project. Carrie and Catherine volunteered for this subcommittee to assist with the project as well as get on a call with SHPO. Carrie volunteered to go to the site and look for important artifacts to use with this project. Roundtable: Clint (last name not provided) just purchased a house at 224 10th Street and is doing some remodeling and repairs. He asked the HPC if there is anything he needs to be aware of to keep the home listed on the historical registry and if there are any grants he can apply for lead remediation? The Commission informed him that there are no guidelines and regulations for this. Hereschell told him to keep the outside of the home structurally the same but he can do whatever he wants to the inside. There was no further discussion. Meeting Adjourned at 12:57 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Ann Peterson, Recording Secretary