Historic Preservation Commission

LAFAYETTE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 23, 2014 7:00 PM BOARD OF WORKS ROOM Commission Members in Attendance: Rick Schwarz, Kurt Wahl, Julie Ginn, Dick Nagel, Ellie Haan, and Steve Meyer. Commission Members Absent: Joey McDaniel, Scott Gilkey, Gale Payne. Staff in Attendance: Aimee Jacobsen, Dann Keiser, Dan Walker, Joyce Funk Guests: Margy Deverall, Zach Medler, Wei-Huan, Edward and Shelly Opperman, John Burns. Noting a quorum, Rick Schwarz called the meeting of the Lafayette Historic Preservation Commission to order at 7:00 pm. Approval of March 24, 2014 minutes: Steve Meyer moved for recommendation to approve minutes of March 24, 2014 meeting minutes; Dick Nagle seconded. Vote: All in Favor. Committee Membership: The Committee membership agenda item was erroneously carried over from the last meeting agenda. Public Relations Committee Report: Public Relations Committee Report: Steve Meyer, (Chair); Joey Mc Daniel and Rick Schwartz met and discussed the purpose of Public Relations Committee and duties which will include providing a spokesperson for the Commission, distributing public notices of meetings and upcoming meeting agendas. A public relations member would attend meetings such as Friends of Downtown, Wabash Valley Trust and other relevant community meetings. The Public Relation Committee would also present Annual HPC nominations for officers. The Committee talked about “getting our story out to the community”. Meyer will be preparing press releases following the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) meetings which will be sent via e-mail. McDaniel will send information to the Journal and Courier about upcoming Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications for the next HPC meeting. Information submitted would be after the monthly deadline for filing a COA application. The committee discussed possible educational opportunities for new and existing downtown businesses. Possible topics ranged from sign requirements, design guidelines, fire codes, COA process of review and economic benefits of historic preservation. The committee agreed that Certificates of Appropriateness (COA’s) would be sent to owners of buildings that completed their project after COA approval. They also stated letters should be sent to the owners of new buildings either in or just outside of the historic district that contribute to 1 the Local Historic Districts. A yearly award for the best COA project or renovation would be given during the National Historic Preservation month of May. The Committee will look to the City staff to inform the Commission members at each HPC monthly meeting of the progress and completion of previous COA approvals. The committee had approached John Burns, President of the Wabash Valley Trust about partnership on in the awards program. District Committee Report: There was no new information to report. COA requests – 532 S. 9th St. – Edward Opperman Certificate of Appropriateness COA committee report was made by Kurt Wahl – Kurt gave a synopsis of the request for 532 S 9th St: new deck and pergola with deck seats at rear of property. All materials will be pressure treated wood, lattice will be small opening caliber. COA committee decided that project complies with standards of rehabilitation #9 and #10, and agrees that the scope of the work will not destroy historic character, and new work will be differentiated from old by material size and scale. Rick Schwarz opened for discussion. Photos and drawing were reviewed from the COA application. Questions were raised about possible height of the deck needing rail and the visibility from 8th Street. It is visible from 8th Street. The deck was not high enough to require railing (less than 30” tall). Schwartz asked if pergola would be functional and was answered that it was functional and not just decorative. All questions were answered and all issues were resolved. Steve Meyer requested a photograph of the finished work done on the property. Dick Nagle moved for approval. Julie Ginn seconded. Vote: All in Favor Margy Deverall & Zach Medler “Small Spaces” Public Art Project: Kurt Wahl stated the COA Committee had met with Margy Deverall and Zach Medler about the “Small Spaces” Public Art Project. Locations for art and styles of art are uncertain. The COA committee was uncertain if there was a need for COA approval given the art would consist of temporary installations of paint and at this time all of the addresses were not provided. The committee reviewed the public art proposal for 219 Main St which currently has a mural on side of building. An index wall for all of the small spaces art works was proposed at this location. The Committee recommended that guidelines be prepared to give to artists so it is clearly understood that they are not allowed to paint on unpainted masonry or cover historical features. The committee supported having the individual projects reviewed and approved by staff. Dick Nagel questioned if the proposal requires a COA request. The committee discussed what guidelines needed to be put forward to ensure historical fabric is not damaged. Steve Meyer asked if a COA would be needed for a building owner to install a mural. Dick Nagel noted the Small Spaces art project will only impact infill or boarded up spaces only. The project would not allow work on unpainted masonry and it would not allow any alteration to historic fabric. Kurt Wahl stated the Commission needs addresses for COA approval. Without exact locations, the Commission is limited to approving guidelines. Kurt Wahl asked Aimee Jacobsen to address the commission. Jacobsen recommended that staff be able to approve individual sites for the Small Spaces public art project. 2 Margy Deverall and Zach Medler introduced themselves and presented information about the project. Deverall stated that the project will not alter the historical features on the downtown buildings. The Lafayette Redevelopment Commission contracted with Zach Medler to carry out the project All the spaces will be chosen by Zach Medler for the project. Deverall will work with property owners to get permission when spaces have been chosen on private property. There will be 40-60 spaces and the spaces will become completed throughout the summer. Medler will curate this public art installation that will selectively place street art throughout the downtown district from 2nd to11th Streets and from Ferry to Alabama Streets. The project targets neglected or forgotten small spaces, like boarded-up doors and windows. Deverall handed out examples of art from other cities having success with similar projects. The examples would be similar to what would be done for the Small Spaces project. Discussion continued between the Historic Preservation Commissioners as they provided their concerns and questioned their involvement. Deverall and Medler gave responses and addressed concerns. The final resolution was that a committee be formed to assign guidelines, and appropriate location information. Steve Meyer made a motion to empower staff to approve locations of art installations to make sure the art work is not affecting historical structures; Julie Ginn seconded. Vote: All in Favor Rick Schwarz assigned the task of creating guidelines to the COA committee. Dann Keiser also supported the formation of guidelines he is to follow to approve the spaces for the installation of the art. Staff Report: Aimee Jacobsen reported there were no staff approvals since last meeting. Jacobsen stated some of the non-original brick front façade of 410 Main Street downtown Lafayette been taken off by the owner because it was posing a serious safety hazard. David Rosenthal contacted staff of the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) for direction. The owner will meet with Aimee Jacobsen and Dann Keiser who will guide the owner on COA requirements and guidelines. Jacobsen also stated the owners of 811 Columbia Street had removed original decorative windows from the structure without permission. The property owners were sent a violation letter that ordered correction. Jacobsen reported the owner called and left a message stating his attorney would be in contact, but she had not yet heard from any attorney. Jacobsen is working with the City’s legal counsel to hopefully resolve the issue. Public comments: John Burns spoke on behalf of Wabash Valley Trust. Burns announced the Trust is celebrating its 40th year anniversary. Their mission is: “To preserve, protect and promote.” The Trust would once again start awarding owners with a commemoration plaque placed on their homes. Burns also announced that the Trust has been consulting with Habitat for Humanity on refurbishment of older homes. This promotes endangered home from demolishment rather than building a new structure in place of an endangered older structure. Rick Schwarz thanked John Burns for coming to the Commission meeting. Schwarz asked for additional comments and there were none. 3 Adjournment Julie Ginn made motion to adjourn the meeting, Dick Nagel seconded. Vote: All in Favor Next meeting: July 28, 2014 in Board of Works room Signed _____________________________________ Joey McDaniel, Secretary Historic Preservation Commission 4