Historic Preservation Commission

IDAHO FALLS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, August 4, 2022 12:00 p.m., Annex Conference Room And WebEx Minutes Members Present: Chris White (Chair), Julie Anglesey (Vice Chair), Hereschell Mynarcik, Kim Smith, Katherine Heiser Also Present: Caitlin Long (Planner), Brad Cramer (Director), Kerry Beutler (Assistant Planning Director) Meeting Called to Order: Chris called the meeting to order at 12:01 p.m. Minutes: Hereschell made a motion to approve the minutes from April 7, 2022. Kim seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Idaho’s Heritage Conference: Caitlin informed the HPC that if they were still interested in attending the Idaho’s Heritage Conference, they needed to email their applications so staff could get them registered. Stockyard Interpretive Sign Project: Chris asked why the report was done in 2019 and they are just seeing it now? Kerry stated that the HPC has seen the report before, and it was done when the city acquired the stockyard property. Kerry informed the HPC that the city Planning Division is working with SHPO to memorialize the site. It has been determined that a plaque would be placed in the civic plaza located on the northeast side of the property. Kerry stated that he, Anas Almassrahy (former planner), and Carrie Athay walked the property to identify items that would be worth keeping. They thought the overhead structures that lead the cattle to the shoots would be good to incorporate into the plaza along with an interpretive sign. The interpretive sign would be 4X8 foot and would tell the story of the property. Kerry told the HPC that the sign is what the city would like assistance with. He asked the Commission to read the report that was completed by Stantec, a certified historian, and identify stories and pictures that would be appropriate and to email their suggestions to staff by September 17, 2022. Staff will then compile this feedback and present it to the HPC at their October meeting. The sign information would then be sent to SHPO for approval. Kerry said they are hoping to have the sign installed by the end of 2023. Chris asked Kerry if there would be irrigation and if the sidewalk would conform to ADA guidelines. Kerry told him that the sidewalk is ADA accessible and there would be irrigation for the trees, shrubs, and bushes but the rest of the civic plaza would be low maintenance. Chris asked Kerry if they could switch the sidewalk so it would be accessible from the parking lot. Kerry said that due to elevations the sidewalk is located where it is and that there is a retaining wall on the side where the parking lot is located. There was further discussion about maybe putting in stairs by the retaining wall for better access. Kerry informed the HPC that they are asking for help with the sign not laying out the already approved site. Chris suggested to the HPC that instead of sending in emails individually that during the next meeting in October the board brainstorms as a group and comes up with ideas together. Chris also stated that he would like an interpreter to write the sign, not a city planner. Kerry stated that the city is open to that. Purpose of Commission and Future Projects: Caitlin Long introduced herself to the Commission as the new HPC planner. Brad showed the Commission the definition in the City Code that defines the purpose of the Historic Preservation Commission. Brad then explained that the job of the HPC is to help Community Development Services (CDS) tell a story. A broader City story and an individual property story. In the past the HPC developed an annual walking tour and walking tour brochures. Since COVID the walking tour has not been done and Brad said he hopes that the HPC will make it a priority next year. He also informed the HPC that they served as a review board for the downtown façade improvement program through the CDBG funds. He told the HPC that the city now has a grants department that will assist in finding grants for projects that the Commission is interested in. Brad then showed the HPC the Imagine IF plan and asked Caitlin to walk through the plan and identify in what ways the HPC can help. Julie stated that she thinks public education is an important part of HPC. Chris stated that he would like to see the brochures regarding the walking tour posted online. Brad suggested maybe they could do something like a story map and put that on the website. Katherine was glad Brad clarified what HPC does and gave them a purpose. Hereschell believes the walking tour is an important part of HPC. And Katherine would like to see a fresh way to make history captivating. The Commission discussed additional ways to captivate and educate and suggested small trainings each meeting so they can learn different process’ to bring the current Commission up to speed. The Commission decided that they would do the research and reading for the Stockyard signage project and come to October’s meeting ready to brainstorm. Roundtable: Hereschell informed the Commission that Fluor D&D got the contract for demolition for the S1W project. The Commission discussed more about updating the brochures, adding them to the website, and maybe making story maps to make it more interesting. Brad Miskin and Lindsey Lloyd (private citizens) from IO Landscape Architecture specializing in historical preservation of landscapes were in attendance. They have done interpretive signs and national register nominations. Katherine asked if they would like to be apart of the roundtable discussion in October? They said they would love to attend. Cheryl O’Brien (private citizen) from the Idaho State Historical Society introduced herself and invited the HPC to a meet and great with the Board of Trustees. Meeting Adjourned at 12:58 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Ann Peterson, Recording Secretary