Historic Preservation Commission

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Minutes for November 1, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. City Council Chambers, Municipal Building 911 N. 7th Avenue, Pocatello, ID The meeting began at 6:01 p.m. AGENDA ITEM #1: ROLL CALL AND DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND EX- PARTE CONTACT Disclose who was talked to, the basic substance of the conversation, and whether the conversation had any influence. Disclose if there is anything personally or professionally that would not allow an impartial or unbiased decision. Disclose if a site visit was done, location(s) of the visit, and what was seen. PRESENT: Tabatha Butler, Denis Clijsters, Josh Pohlman, Ellen Ryan, and Jim Young. EXCUSED: Ruta Casabianca and Marty Vizcarra. STAFF: Jim Anglesey and Aceline McCulla. Clijsters and Young are members of the Historic Downtown Pocatello Board and asked to be recused for agenda item 3. None of the other members had anything to report. AGENDA ITEM #2: APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Commission may wish to waive the oral reading of the HPC meeting special meeting minutes held October 4 and October 17 of 2023, and to approve the minutes as written. The minutes were not included in the agenda materials, they will be added to the next meeting agenda. AGENDA ITEM #3: Public Hearing-Sign Exception 23-2395 & Certificate of Appropriateness 23-6 This time has been set aside for the Commission to hear comments from the public regarding a request by Historic Downtown Pocatello, Inc., represented by David Lee of YESCO signs for a sign exception and certificate of appropriateness (COA) for signage located at Lookout Point. Butler opened the Public Hearing at 6:04 p.m. David Lee of YESCO Signs, representing the Historic Downtown Pocatello Inc., explained he confused the Downtown Historic Pocatello Inc with the Historic Preservation Commission and did not follow standard protocols for a COA and a sign exception. Pohlman asked Lee how many signs do not need sign permits. Lee thought he was working with the HPC already and had their blessing. Sr. Long-Range Planner Jim Anglesey of the City of Pocatello summarized the staff report and Sign review criteria. Staff have not received any written public comments or concerns for the application. The Commission ensued in discussion. Butler opened the public hearing for public comments at 6:29 p.m. Those in favor: Stephanie Palagi, Historic Downtown Pocatello, stated the building permits were pulled and included the signage and signed off by the Planning Department. The signage blends into the park decorum and the funding for the project was approved by City Council. Palagi noted that Anglesey informed Historic Downtown Pocatello that a COA was required the day the sign went up, as a sign permit was not submitted or HPC 11.1.2023 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3 approved before erecting the sign. Ryan asked if the signage was in the Comprehensive Plan and documents submitted to City Council when the project was approved. Palagi stated the signage was not included, it came after the project approval. Those opposed: Nikki Taysom is opposed for the political reasons, and that the pole sign is not fitting for a park. She is for signs in parks, but for the Old Town area it should reflect the historic component and be iron or something similar to historic park signs. The sign looks like it’s the Look Out Bank logo, and not a historic sign for a park. Companies should not market their business on signage, maybe on map systems Kaitlin Pohlman noted that the this keeps happening in the downtown and the Commission needs to think hard about approving this application to keep this from happening again. Rebuttal: Lee stated there is no advertising for the business. This is Lee’s first time making this kind of mistake, and Lee asked for a pass on his area. Palagi had approval for the design review from the Historic Downtown Pocatello Board, and he thought that was part of the HPC and the City of Pocatello. With no more public comments, Butler closed the public hearing at 6:45 p.m. It was moved by E. Ryan to deny the request from Historic Downtown Pocatello as presented, finding the application does not meet the criteria for review as well as all local and national standards, and to authorize the Vice Chair to sign the findings of fact. No second, motion failed. It was moved by E. Ryan and seconded by T. Butler to deny the request from Historic Downtown Pocatello as presented, finding the application does not meet the criteria for review as well as all local standards, and authorize the Vice Chair to sign the Certificate of Appropriateness. Those in favor: T. Butler, J. Pohlman, E. Ryan. Those recused: D. Clijsters and J. Young. Motion carried. AGENDA ITEM 4: Preservation Projects & Assignments The Commission may wish to discuss preservation projects and updates on assignments. • Community Engagement & Outreach Anglesey noted the consultant will come to the December meeting. • Federal Building Research Anglesey stated City Council gave the approve to move forward with the project. Anglesey asked Commission members to send any information they have to him to help create a 10- page report. • Brady Chapel With Casabianca gone, there was not an update. • Additional Projects Hieroglyphics will be surveyed and the Tribes would like their teenage students to participate in the project. Contacts with ISU include Nolan Brown and Carolyn Smith of the Language and Cultural Department. Surveys and documentation processes will be created on how to preserve and record the pictures. Collaboration with Hannah Sanger of the Environmental and Science Division will be included as well. HPC 11.1.2023 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 With no other business, Butler closed the meeting at 7:04 p.m. Submitted by: Approved on: December 6, 2023 Aceline McCulla, Secretary HPC 11.1.2023 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3