Historic Preservation Commission

802-223-9506 phone 39 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602 802-262-6080 fax www.montpelier-vt.org Historic Preservation Commission SPECIAL MEETING Draft Meeting Minutes Sunday April 29, 2018 at 1:00 PM City Council Chambers- City Hall, 39 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602 Commission Members in Attendance: Eric Gilbertson (Chair), David Carris, Liz Peebles, Greg Tisher Others in Attendance: Sarah McShane (staff), Ben Huffman, John Lewis, Arthur Foreick. Call to Order – With a quorum present, Chair Eric Gilbertson called the meeting to order at 1:10 PM. Public Comments – Guests reserved their comments for discussion under the agenda items. Approval of the Agenda –Commission member Peebles made a motion to accept the agenda as printed. Commission member Carris seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Comments from the Chair - None Review and Approve Minutes from 3/27/2018 & 4/4/2018 – Tabled to the next meeting. Work Session: CLG project to update design review regulations - Staff passed around a map of the city showing the existing boundaries of the design review district, national register historic district, and zoning district boundaries. Several members of the Cliff Street neighborhood were in attendance to provide comments on possible revisions to the design review district boundaries. Residents asked the Commission to consider logical and fair boundaries that treat properties equally. Guests asked the Commission to consider standards for commercial and residential standards. Possible boundary options discussed include: 1. The Designated Downtown; 2. The National Register Historic District; 3. The existing design review district; 4. The Designated Downtown, plus review of all historic properties outside of the Designated Downtown; 5. Boundaries to follow zoning district boundaries; Members discussed the different challenges regarding establishing potential boundaries. Chair Gilbertson stated that he would like to review the state register and the level of documentation in the inventory. Members reviewed the existing boundaries. Member David Carris suggested reviewing the existing zoning district boundaries including Urban Center 1-3, Riverfront, and Mixed Use Residential, and grouping the Residential zoning districts (6000 and under). Chair Gilbertson suggested the Commission review the gateways and entrance points to the city. Members discussed the hillside behind the capitol building and whether or not it should be included in the design review district. Resident Mr. Huffman suggested that it be excluded. Commission member Peebles passed around a sketch map of boundaries based on zoning districts. Members generally agreed that following zoning district boundaries is logical. Members discussed the possibility of providing a tax incentive for residential owner occupied properties within the design review district. Staff suggested it be included as a recommendation in the master planning process. Members discussed the possibility of different Tiers or design standards including the commercial downtown district, residential, and gateways area. Staff will provide a copy of the neighborhood purpose statements for the next meeting, along with an updated map. The Commission had preliminary discussion on outreach events and activities. Members agreed to reserve the following dates for public meetings and outreach events: June 14th (evening walking tour), Saturday June 16th (Farmers Market), and Tuesday June 26th for a public meeting at City Hall to present draft standards for review, boundaries, etc. Members agreed it would be helpful to have a skype call with the consultant at the beginning of June, as well as a joint meeting with the Design Review Committee. Members agreed it would be helpful if LandWorks could be available to present the proposal to the Planning Commission this fall. Other Business Next Regular Meeting Date – Tuesday May 8th at 6:30 PM [City Manager’s Conference Room] Next Meeting Topic(s) -[Continued discussion on proposed design standards, boundaries, and public outreach.] Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 3:17 PM.