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, September 12, 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) Others Present: Greg Tisher 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 August 8, 2017 6. Discuss future projects/Annual work plan 7. Discuss next steps for CLG Grant 8. Other Business th • City Council- National Register Historic District consideration- Wed. Sept. 13 at 6:00 PM • Next Meeting Date – Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 6:30 PM. 9. 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 Ms. Peebles made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Duggan. The motion passed unanimously, 4-0. 4. Comments from the Chair – Chair Gilbertson reminded Commission members about tomorrow’s City Council meeting, September 13th at 6:00 PM, regarding consideration of the National Register Historic District. Mr. Gilbertson intends on attending the meeting in the event the Council has questions regarding the National Register program. The Commission strongly supports the amended and updated National Register Historic District and agreed the Commission should encourage the City Council to move forward. 5. Review and Approve Minutes from August 8, 2017  Commission member Peebles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Carris, to approve the 8/8/2017 minutes. The motion passed, 4-0. 6. Discuss future projects/Annual work plan & Discuss next steps for CLG Grant The Commission combined discussion of agenda items 6 & 7. Members discussed the CLG grant and developing an annual work program. Mr. Gilberston reported that the Commission has longer a time frame to complete the CLG grant than previously expected and that the project doesn’t need to be completed by the end of the year. Staff will check the grant requirements and report back to the Commission, but mentioned that it might be helpful to re-advertise the RFP. The following items were reported and/or discussed: • Mr. Gilberston stated that it might be helpful to work with the Building Inspector regarding alterations to historic buildings and how to meet the building code while ensuring the least impact on the historic building. • Ms. Peebles reported that the SHPO office recently had an intern research how municipalities throughout Vermont handle design review and historic district review. • Mr. Duggan mentioned that the Town of Windsor has design guidelines that might be worth viewing. • Members discussed the possibility of creating two districts; residential and commercial. • Ms. Peebles asked whether or not a large map could be provided at a future meeting showing the existing boundaries of the design control district, designated downtown, National Register district, etc. Staff will ensure a map is available for discussion at future meetings. • Mr. Gilberston stated that a future CLG grant should evaluate possible additional National Register Districts including College Street and the Meadow. • Staff provided an update on the timing of the proposed zoning and Master Plan. Both projects are targeted to be adopted by the end of the year. • Members discussed breaking down the CLG project into smaller portions, i.e. discuss the purpose/intent of the district, boundaries, exemptions, standards for review, etc. Staff will prepare a draft work program outlining discussion items for the next six months or so. • Members discussed future outreach events including how to research the history of your historic home and taking care of historic homes.  • Mr. Carris recommended breaking down the CLG project into Phase I (zoning regulations) and Phase II (design guidelines). Members agreed to the approach. Staff will revise the RFP to reflect a two phased project. A draft RFP will be circulated for comment prior to being advertised. • Members discussed the process for adding and removing properties from the proposed National Register district and the difficulty amending a proposed nomination. • Mr. Duggan reported that Devin Coleman recently visited the Town of Stafford and was amazed at the integrity of the historic district and how it remained relatively intact without any formal design review process. Members discussed how “peer pressure” in residential neighborhoods often times serves as informal design review. • Staff mentioned that it may be helpful to have a member of the City Council and Planning Commission assist with the process of analyzing the design control district and associated standards for review. Staff will follow-up on the items discussed and report back to the Commission at the next meeting. 7. Other Business • Staff reported that there has been recent conversation regarding the Capital Complex and whether or not the City’s zoning regulations apply to structures and properties within the district. Staff will provide update during future meetings. • Members discussed state statute and the limitations of municipal bylaws, including design review. This topic should be discussed in greater detail at future meetings. • The City Council will be considering appointments to the HPC during tomorrow’s meeting (9/13). The Commission thanked Mr. Tisher for his interest and looks forward to working with him. 8. Next Meeting Date – Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 6:30 PM. 9. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:15 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 October 10, 2017.