Historic Preservation Commission

802-223-9506 phone 39 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602 802-262-6080 fax www.montpelier-vt.org Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 6:30 PM City Manger’s Conference Room HPC Members Present: Eric Gilbertson, Elizabeth Peebles, Jamie Duggan, David Carris Staff: Sarah McShane (Zoning Administrator), Mike Miller (Planning Director) Others Present: Kim Cheney (Planning Commission) Posted Agenda: 1. Call to Order 2. Public Comments 3. Approval of the Agenda 4. Comments from the Chair 5. Review and Approve Minutes from April 11, 2017 [Note: Since there was not a quorum at the 5/9/2017 meeting, the draft minutes are simply intended to serve as a reminder of items discussed and do not need to be approved] 6. Presentation & Discussion -City Master Plan Update & HPC Involvement: Planning Director Michael Miller 7. Update on CLG RFP –Design Review Standards & Design Guidelines 8. Continued: Discussion of Possible Public Outreach & Education Ideas th  Historic Walking Tours (Saturday August 4 tentative)  Public Education Activities  CAMP Training (Identified at last meeting as possible future CLG project) 9. Continued: Status Update on National Register Nomination (amended boundaries of the Montpelier Historic District)  Discuss the rear addition of 118 Main St; contributing /noncontributing  Select date for public hearing; per Devin’s suggested timeline- July or August 10. Other Business  Update on possible new members  Jacob Davis House- Home Farm Way  Correspondence- None  Next Meeting Date – Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 6:30 PM. 11. Adjournment 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:35 PM with a quorum present. 2. Public Comments There were no public comments. 3. Approval of the Agenda D. Carris made a motion, seconded by E.Peebles, to approve the agenda. The motion passed, 4-0. 4. Comments from the Chair - None 5. Review and Approve Minutes from April 11, 2017 J. Duggan made a motion, seconded by E.Peebles, to approve the 4/11/2017 minutes. The motion passed, 4-0. 6. Presentation & Discussion -City Master Plan Update & HPC Involvement: Planning Director Michael Miller Mike Miller was in attendance to provide an update on the City Master Plan and how the HPC can best participate. M.Miller stated that he and the Planning Commission would like to take the next 12-18 months to update the City Master Plan by reviewing the plan one chapter at a time. He intends on working with each of the City’s boards and committees on the applicable chapters. He reported that the purpose of the plan is to establish goals, tasks, and strategies for the next eight years. It is the intention to have a short, visual, user-friendly city plan with links to outside resources. The Planning Commission has broken down the plan into policies, plans & studies, programs, permits, and projects. E. Gilbertson mentioned Act 200 in 1988 and how it was used to identify historic resources in the community and asked how to best resolve the conflict with historic preservation and energy conservation. Members discussed the cultural resources aspect of the City Master Plan and potential partners. Members agreed to have a brainstorming session possibly in September to develop the Commission’s work program and goals. 7. Update on CLG RFP –Design Review Standards & Design Guidelines Staff provided an update on the CLG grant to develop design review standards and guidelines. S.McShane reported that the RFP went out a few weeks ago and was direct mailed the consultant list Devin provided, as well as publicly posted. At the next HPC meeting the Commission will review the submittals. 8. Continued: Discussion of Possible Public Outreach & Education Ideas  Historic Walking Tours (Saturday August 5th tentative)  Public Education Activities  CAMP Training (Identified at last meeting as possible future CLG project) Members discussed plans for summer outreach and agreed to have a presence at the August 5th Farmers Market and lead a historic walking tour. Ideas included having then/now pictures, a postcard regarding HPC activities and the National Register program, pages of architectural features and buildings for children to color, etc. It was agreed to host the traditional public input meeting regarding the amended National Register nomination on the following Tuesday August 8th. E.Peebles suggested for a future CLG grant project to georeference the Sanborne fire insurance maps.  9. Continued: Status Update on National Register Nomination (amended boundaries of the Montpelier Historic District)  Discuss the rear addition of 118 Main St; contributing /noncontributing  Select date for public hearing; per Devin’s suggested timeline- July or August Members discussed the recent inquiry regarding whether or not the rear addition of 118 Main Street is contributing or non-contributing. Both J. Duggan and S. McShane were contacted for their opinion and guidance. J.Duggan described the building and reported that he had visited the site. He felt that the building did not meet the criteria for contributing structures. S. McShane will send Commission members the reply letter she sent and a copy of Devin’s letter. Members discussed how to handle public comments and requested revisions to the NR nomination. 10. Other Business  Update on possible new members  Jacob Davis House- Home Farm Way  Correspondence- None  Next Meeting Date – Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 6:30 PM. Members discussed old business. S.McShane will draft a newspaper article regarding the National Register program and the current proposal to update the nomination. Members discussed the Jacob Davis House and the City’s recent ordinance regarding abandoned buildings. E.Gilbertson stated that he would like to see if there is interest in getting the Heritage Group started up again. Members discussed possible additional members including Judith Erlick and Greg Tisher. 11. Next Meeting Date: The next meeting is scheduled for July 11th at 6:30 PM. 12. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:35 PM. Respectfully submitted, Sarah McShane Zoning Administrator ***These minutes are unofficial until formally accepted by the HPC.*** These minutes were read and accepted by the Historic Preservation Commission on July 11, 2017.