Historic Preservation Commission

IDAHO FALLS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, October 5, 2023 12:00 p.m., Annex Conference Room Minutes Members Present: Hereschell Mynarcik, Julie Anglesey (Vice-Chair), Kim Smith, Rachel McMurtrey Also Present: Caitlin Long (Planner), David Peterson (Planner) Meeting Called to Order: Julie called the meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. Minutes: Hereschell made a motion to approve the minutes from August 3, 2023. Kim seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Skyline and Broadway Cultural Assessment: Caitlin Long explained to the Commission that Community Development Services is starting the process of examining the intersection of Skyline and Broadway as it relates to a walkable center. She said that in 2020, this intersection was identified as a walkable center per a report about Missing Middle Housing completed for the department. The beginning steps in exploring this walkable center, how it affects development, and identifying a planning practice (code changes, Form Base Code, etc.) has been initiated by the Planning Division. Caitlin asked the Commissions help with the initial exploration of the area by filling out a cultural assessment, via a survey. Staff is hoping the Commissioners can explore this area with a historic view for future development and preservation efforts. Caitlin explained the survey and what is being asked of the Commission members. Hereschell said as far as the intersection goes, there’s nothing historical. Caitlin explained that anything over 50 years old is considered historical and some of the buildings at the intersection are over 50 years old. David explained that it is very different when you walk the area as opposed to driving. He said it changes your perspective and you notice things differently as a pedestrian. Caitlin told the Commission to put any historical knowledge in the survey they may have of the area. Historic Preservation Plan Bid Review: Caitlin said that on August 15, 2023, the scope of work was sent to four consultants per an approved list of consultants from SHPO with a deadline of September 12th. Out of the four, one consultant submitted a bid, Kirk Huffaker Preservation Strategies. Hereschell asked how big of an area does this cover? Caitlin said it is a Historic Preservation Plan for the entire city. Caitlin told the Commission that they can chose to accept this bid, deny, change, or table until next meeting. Hereschell said he thinks the other two companies underbid. He said he doesn’t know if they will be able to do as good a job if they don’t come to Idaho Falls regularly. Caitlin explained that most of the job should be digital. Hereschell thinks that it would be pushing and hopes that we get all the information we’re looking for, for that much money. He said he is concerned about him getting all the information he wants because the HPC has done walking tours before and there is a lot of subdivisions. Caitlin explained that the Plan is to give the HPC Action Items to do more of those in-depth plans. The Historic Preservation Plan is a guiding document to give action items to the HPC to do surveys, nominations, tours, etc. The Commission decided to put the vote on hold until the December meeting so more of the HPC would be involved with the decision. Roundtable Discussion: Hereschell said the National Convention is next month and SHPO wouldn’t pay for the conference or pay for membership. He said he’s disappointed because he wanted to go to see the Vietnam Memorial Wall that his friends name is on and to see the tidal basin renovation. No further discussion Meeting Adjourned at 12:26 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Ann Peterson, Recording Secretary