Zionsville Architectural Review Committee (ZARC)

Zionsville Architectural Review Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, Feb 25th, 2014 Attendees: Chris Bucher Tom Casalini Beth Casselman Eileen Davis Brad Johnson Dave Rausch Mike Zeller Zionsville Director of Development Wayne DeLong Zionsville Assistant Director of Development Janice Stevanovic Zionsville Town Councilor Steve Mundy Ron Wessel Sophia Pappas? The meeting opened about 7:30am with President Dave Rausch opening the meeting in the Fireplace Room with review of the Agenda. Quorum was present Motion by Mike Zeller to approve the Agenda and minutes of January 28th, nd 2 by Eileen Davis Agenda & Minutes approved unanimously. Old Business: 1. 40 S. Main/Ciao a. Eileen Davis reported on the final inspection which was done by herself and Tom Casalini. The work was finished satisfactorily. b. Eileen Davis then moved to approve the project at the previously approved amount of c. Brad Johnson noted that as a point of clarity there needed to be signature to both the agreement and the approval. d. Mike Zeller noted that the project looks great and Tom Casalini was very pleased that the construction area was exceptionally well policed during the project leaving the area as clean as possible for the pedestrians during a busy time. e. Eileen Davis noted that there was a great attention to detail for this project. nd f. Brad Davis 2 g. Discussion—none h. Votes to approve the payment for $26,075.50 for the 40 S. Main/Ciao Project— Chris Bucher, Tom Casalini, Eileen Davis, Beth Casselman, Brad Johnson, David Rausch and Mike Zeller. i. No votes in the negative. 2. Funding Level Update a. Mike Zeller has been working on this as the discussion has continued from previous meetings. b. Chris Bucher felt that the easy thing to do was to simply emphasize the “Up To” 50% match, meaning that the committee still has discretion on what percentage. c. Brad Johnson also felt that the “Up To” was important, and that bundling the Façade with doors, windows etc helped to create projects. d. Eileen Davis said that we have leveraged the 50% to get important things to happen.  e. David Rausch noted that the public perception was that it was always a 50% grant-with some people even calling it the “50% Grant Program” f. Wayne DeLong explained that they did some research to see what other communities did- Hobart was 50% and up to $50k, but that some of the money was in silos. Goshen had limits such as $4000 for facades, $400 for windows and $1500 for awnings. South Bend has $25k max, Noblesville’s program split into small projects capped at $5k, and substantial projects capped at $25k. g. Brad Johnson proposed that we put in a hard cap @40% for the rest of year and evaluate how things progress. h. He also noted that if a project goes through the Façade Grant program that the Town waives filing fee’s. Further, the RDC has a Econ Dev program for similar capital project to incent more development. i. Mike Zeller noted that it was important to keep this simple. j. Steve Mundy believes that the program is worthwhile, but with such success comes limitations in the funding. How can you make the money go further. Public perception is indeed that it is matched at 50% and if it is complicated it will be difficult to both manage and explain. There is a need to make sure that the money is stretched. k. Wayne DeLong expounded on Brad’s discussion of the RDC’s Micro Loan program and the RDC’s ability to grant money. l. While there was a general consensus that it would be okay to change to 40% match, Eileen Davis believes that we are good stewards of the money, that while we often match 50% of applicable parts of the project, that the entire project can go much larger, and effectively making it a smaller percentage of the whole- Centerpoint being a good example. She wants to continue to keep it at 50%. m. Mike Zeller and David Rausch both mentioned that this change shouldn’t be rushed. n. Brad Johnson said that this needed to be decided before we have any other official applicants. o. Tom Casalini mentioned that we should weigh in on the cap a bit more and perhaps that was a way to spread the funds easier. p. David Rausch asks for one more month of discussion on the matter. q. Mike Zeller asked to have any additional ideas or motions sent to him and Janice before the meeting. r. Steve Mundy said to make sure to let the Town Council know of the changes as they happen. New Business 3. Ron Wessel a. Mr. Wessel presented some initial drawings with a more substantial façade, enhanced doors and windows, and pillars. b. David Rausch wanted to have Mr. Wessel communicate with Eileen Davis and Beth Casselman with this project going forward. 4. Motion to Adjourn made by Tom Caslini nd a. 2 by Eileen Davis th The next Meeting of the Zionsville Architectural Review Committee will be on March 25 , 2014 Respectfully submitted Chris Bucher, Secretary