Zionsville Architectural Review Committee (ZARC)

Zionsville Architectural Review Committee minutes of the June 26, 2012 meeting Members of the Zionsville Architectural Review Committee met at 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 26, 2012 in the Fireplace Room of the Zionsville Town Hall. Those attending included committee chair, David Rausch, and committee members Lisa Bick, Chris Bucher, Tom Casalini, Eileen Davis, Betsy Harris and Andra Walters. Also Ed Mitro, Zionsville town manager; Wayne DeLong, director of the Zionsville Department of Planning and Building; Charles Edwards, chairman of the Zionsville Economic Development Commission and Joe Rust, IT professional for the town of Zionsville. Dave presided. Chris moved that the agenda be approved as amended. Eileen seconded the motion which carried. Chris moved that the minutes of the May 15, 2012 special meeting be approved as mailed to the committee. Andra seconded the motion which carried. Dave reported there were no new grant applications. He mentioned that the current project -- the rehabilitation of the west façade of the Corner Vise building is well underway. It fronts Street near the intersection of Oak Street -- a prime location and an important gateway to the village business district. Of the project, Dave said: “It is quite transforming and a wonderful example of the façade rehabilitation program.” Mr. Mitro said, “It cleaned up that vista and did what we wanted it to do.” There are two open items before the Corner Vise project is completed -- lighting and treatment of the second floor façade. Betsy moved that the committee grant Dave and Eileen approval of the lighting and second floor façade treatment. Chris seconded the motion which carried. While not within the purview of the architectural review committee, Betsy, Eileen and Lisa have met individually with downtown property owner Valerie Swack upon her request. She and her family own the building which backs up to the northeast corner of Oak and streets at the gateway mentioned above. Mrs. Swack is seeking a solution on how to deal with the unsightly dumpsters lining Street. She is offering her property as a possible site and where several building owners could consolidate their trash and recycling. At the suggestion of Eileen, the three ZARC members and Mrs. Swack are exploring the use of “green walls” to mask the collection areas. It was suggested that two of them take this concept to staff member Lance Lantz, who is coordinating the Street project, for his input and approval. Dave reported that he had had a conversation with Tony Costello, professor emeritus of architecture at Ball State University, regarding the possibility of Zionsville’s downtown streetscape (Main Street) in the Zionsville Business District) being a Fall studio at the university. The suggestion was met with enthusiasm. If this transpires there is the possibility that a group from the architectural review committee may work with the students. Mr. Edwards briefed the committee on the Economic Development Commission formed three years ago. The commission was asked to create a broad-based development plan for 10,000 acres which its members were asked to study. The result was the 2012 Zionsville Economic Development Strategic Plan which coincidentally was to have its first public presentation the same evening as the ZARC meeting (June 26, 2012). The draft said, Mr. Edwards, is “a guide to how to get things done -- a ‘road map’ to where we want to go.” He praised the architectural review committee and supports what the committee is doing. Mr. Rust spoke of meeting with Chris Bucher, Wayne Delong and planning department secretary Janice Stevanovic with the intention of integrating ZARC into the town website and ultimately creating the higher visibility long desire by the committee. He also spoke of near term updates which will facilitate the ease of navigating the website for those wanting architectural review committee information. By the next meeting of the committee the necessary information should be uploaded, making inquiries more streamlined. There being no further business, Dave moved that the meeting be adjourned. Chris seconded the motion which carried. Respectfully submitted, Betsy Harris, secretary Next meeting: 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 24 in the Fireplace Room of the Zionsville Town Hall.