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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Minutes 20090721 HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of the Meeting of July 21, 2009 Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall I. Quorum : Goderstad, Dahl, Sovik-Siemens, LaBreck, and Wittgenstein present. Staff: Smith and Fortney; Chairman Goderstad called the meeting to order. II. Minutes A.June 16, 2009. A motion by Sovik-Siemens for approval was made and seconded by LaBreck; motion carried. III. Review of building permits or design proposals th A.700 4 St W – replace rotten trim boards/ repoint some mortar- (staff approved) nd B.200 2 St E - new sign Fortney presented the staff report. Chair Goderstad asked if the proposed sign is yellow. Fortney said it appears to be yellow. Commissioner LaBreck noted that the sign has an old-timey look to it. Goderstad asked what color the letters were. Fortney said it is difficult to tell because of the backing on the letters. Commissioner Dahl said a boarder around the sign would make it more compatible with area. A motion by LaBreck to approve the proposed sign, seconded by Wittgenstein with the following condition; motion carried. A boarder the same color as the letters added around the edge of the sign. nd C.218 2 St E - new sign Fortney presented the staff report. The applicant rearranged the letters of the previous sign and added 3 new ones to spell “Antiques”. A motion by Sovik-Siemensto approve the sign, seconded by Dahl; motion carried. IV. Business A.Find volunteers for the Hastings Handbook committee Cindy Smith, Curator of the Pioneer Room informed the Commission about the proposed “Hastings Handbook” and asked for Commissioners to volunteer for the committee. Commissioners Wittgenstein and LaBreck volunteered to be on the Committee. Goderstad said that Commissioner Martin should also be on the Committee. V.Information and Reports A.Update on Highway 61 bridge project Fortney updated the Commission on the planning of the Highway 61 bridge project. B.Mississippi Belle sign Staff is working with the City attorney to address the matter. C.MN HPC Conference th Fortney informed the Commission of the HPC Conference to be held on September 17 and 18th in Chaska. He added that the City could afford to send a commissioner or two to the conference. D.Dakota County CDA Blight Demolition Program Fortney provided some background information. The Dakota County CDA (Community Development Agency) develops properties to provide lower income housing around the county including in the City of Hastings. They have obtained some federal stimulus money allocated for removing blighted properties. Their initiative is to buy blighted properties and demolish the homes. They would then hold the lot until a time when property values increase. They would then sell the lot for private development. Fortney added that SHPO and he met with the CDA several months ago about their proposed programs at which time fortney informed them that no such proposals would likely get approved for designated properties. Fortney also told them that recently there were several severely blighted properties that were purchased by people in the private sector. The owners invested in the properties and made them highly attractive homes that were great for entry-level homeowners. Fortney informed the HPC that the CDA has purchased their first property for this program: 415 th 5 St W, Ca. 1880. They have not applied for a demolition permit yet, but most likely will. Since the property is not designated the City cannot stop it, but staff can document the property before it is demolished. The Commissioners showed concern with the Dakota County CDA blight abatement program. The reasons for their concerns are as follows: ? Very specific parameters for determining what constitutes blight should be followed. ? One of the most important parameters used to identify a property as blight is the length of time a property is on the open market. It is difficult to brand property blight if it has not been available for purchase for at least the average of 150 days. ? The City of Hastings should be a partner in determining which properties are blight and what course of action should be taken to address them. ? In Hastings we have had a cycle of vacant homes in disrepair that are subsequently bought by investors or families who have renovated the homes for themselves or sold them as starter homes. ? Hastings does not have a problem with vacant homes that do not eventually find buyers. The need for the demolition of homes does not exist in Hastings as it does in many other communities. ? Vacant lots do not contribute positively to neighborhood character, street appeal, property values, or the tax base. ? Vacant homes for a short period are preferable to vacant lots for extended periods. ? In the conservation district, new homes must follow guidelines and receive approval from the City Council to determine if they will fit into the character of the neighborhood. Even with these strict guidelines, no new structure will be able to adequately replace a home that existed there for 130 years. The HPC added that in most cases, the City cannot stop the demolition of a house that is not designated as historic, but it has been a policy to be sensitive of the City’s historic homes, especially in the Conservation district (OHDS). A motion by LaBreckto contact the Dakota County CDA to express concerns with their Blight Demolition Program, seconded by Dahl; motion carried. V. Adjourn. Motion by Sovik-Siemens, second by LaBreck to adjourn; motion carried. – 8:00 P.M.