Heritage Commission

CITY OF LACONIA HERITAGE COMMISSION 5:00 PM City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Accepted August 9, 2023 6/14/2023 - Minutes 1. Call to order Chair Marjory Wilkinson called the meeting to order at 5:01 PM 2. Salute to the flag Chair. M. Wilkinson led the Pledge of Allegiance 3. Roll call Members present: Mark Haynes, Scott Ringer, Catherine Tokarz, Jane Whitehead, Marjory Wilkinson Absent: Lois Kessin C. Tokarz was seated as a voting member in L. Kessin’s absence. 4. Recording secretary Kalena Graham 5. Staff in attendance Kalena Graham 6. Acceptance of Minutes from previous meeting 6.I. Acceptance of April 12 minutes With a few minor corrections and no objection, the minutes were declared accepted. 7. City Council Liaison Report M. Haynes mentioned that the Government & Ordinance Subcommittee recently met and are in process of looking at the revisions of the Historic Overlay District Ordinance, submitted by the HDC. 8. Planning Board update K. Graham mentioned that there will be a conceptual review going to the July 11 Planning Board if submitted in time. 9. New business 9.I. 62 Pleasant Street, Bank of NH David Shelbourne, Andy Pike and Jeff Dupris of Opechee Construction gave a brief history of the project. D. Shelbourne showed the plans. The new building will be similar in footprint and height to the existing structure. The new building will be cohesive to the character of the downtown area. The main  9.I. 62 Pleasant Street, Bank of NH David Shelbourne, Andy Pike and Jeff Dupris of Opechee Construction gave a brief history of the project. D. Shelbourne showed the plans. The new building will be similar in footprint and height to the existing structure. The new building will be cohesive to the character of the downtown area. The main reason for the rebuild is that new would be more efficient and cost effective than renovating the existing structure. The applicant is hoping to start construction in a few weeks and thinks it should take 14 months from breaking ground. C. Tokarz appreciates the architectural character match to the rest of the historic downtown area. Motion to approve the demolition permit for 62 Pleasant Street, Bank of NH, made by S. Ringer, J. Whitehead seconded. All voted in favor. 10. Old business 10.I. State School Property Update K. Graham explained the conceptual review at the planning board level. 10.II. Heritage Commission By-laws and Procedures Chair M. Wilkinson noted that she has a copy of Belmont’s procedures and could do something similar. It was suggested that the commission work on the procedures during a work session, knowing that procedures would change if the Historic District Comm and Heritage Comm merged in the future. Chair M. Wilkinson added that she will not be present at the July 12 meeting and asked who would chair the meeting in her absence. S. Ringer offered to chair the July meeting and Chair M. Wilkinson will make the agenda. 10.III. Demolition Permit Fee Increase Follow-up K. Graham will look into where the fee change ended up and will try to get it to Council for public hearing. The change would be to change the commercial permits to $250 from $100. 10.IV. Historic District Commission Update Chair M. Wilkinson talked with Chair of the HDC, Tara Shore and lots of money has been raised for St. Joseph's and the Baptist church. The commission finished the revisions to the historic overlay ordinance which is now in the ordinance subcommittee with Council. The hope is to have it finished by the end of summer and hopes to bring the district expansion discussion back. M. Haynes noted that Council has discussed the Weirs and Lakeport districts. He also brought up the fact that the Pemaco building was almost going to be demolished until the architectural company bought it and will be moving their offices there. He feels that Council is now aware that there is more to consider than just paint colors. 11. Public comment 12. Other business J. Whitehead would like to add a section to the agenda of “in the news” or “ripped from the headlines” for things like the archeological dig in the Weirs a few weeks ago. 13. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:46 PM Respectfully, 13. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:46 PM Respectfully, K. Graham