10-13-2003 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Minutes Page 13 October 13, 2003 ............................. that's done and the City Council has a chance to meet than we take your recommendation under advisement seriously. Mr. Rohlf stated that the HPC has made their recommendations, but as individuals and also HPC members, they have their own opinions. Commissioner Kragness stated that they are new as a Commission and that there is a lot of procedural info that he doesn't understand. He would like to see it handled the same as for the Planning Commission; they make a recommendation but if the project changes it is referred back to the Planning Commission. This is the same procedural treatment that the HPC would like to get. It is his desire to feel comfortable and to have ample opportunities to furnish their recommendations. He also would like to see some Councilmembers attend HPC workshops. There's lots of ways that preservation has speared positive things in the city. Mayor Klinzing stated it should have the same kind of process as other commissions. Councilmember Tveite stated that it needs to be a personal decision and doesn't feel the need to put together a code of conduct for this group. Commissioner Gongoll stated he feels that would create too much of unnecessary conflict. Councilmember Motin agrees with Councilmember Tveite and that they need to use their own judgment. Commissioner Gongoll stated that we recommend action to you, you make a decision, and nine out of ten are in approval of the recommending body. He feels we have gnashing of teeth over nothing. We need to respect the decision and respect the process. Mayor Klinzing stated that we need to have a process in place. She does respect their recommendations and she hears what they are saying and does take their recommendation seriously. She knows that they have researched the issue, that they have the background to come to Council with the best recommendation that can be made at that time, and she wants them to know that they are taken seriously. Mayor Klinzing stated that the commission should come to the Council with recommendations that's current and if that changes, then yes the commission can come forward and if they want to make another recommendation them come before them again. If something bypasses them and they have concerns, the commission can still talk to Council about it. Historic Designation Commissioner Kragness stated that we do have the power to create local historic districts after going through a process and that enables some historic preservation tax credits for homeowners and business owners. It gives a lot of benefits as well so there are economic incentives once we do some designations. The biggest area of confusion is the understanding of what's significant, what has integrity in terms of a building. The consultant didn't find anything eligible for the National Register but does that mean they're not important buildings, not significant. No, they didn't have historic integrity because they have a lot of the facade on the downtown buildings covered up. As a consultant, they cannot make a recommendation because they cannot see it. Because it is not on the National Register doesn't mean that it doesn't have significance, it can have local significance.