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ver TO: <br />MEMORANDUM <br />Bill Rubin, Economic <br />Development Coordinator <br />FROM: Stephen Rohlf, Building and <br />Zoning Administrator <br />DATE: June 29, 1995 sR <br />SUBJECT: Downtown Elk River <br />Upon request of council member Farber, I checked with the City of Stillwater <br />regarding ordinances and/or codes that allow flexibility from building code in <br />the historic area of downtown Stillwater. My contact person in Stillwater <br />was Al Zepper, building official for the city (439-6121). <br />Mr. Zepper indicated that the City of Stillwater had adopted the Uniform <br />Code for Building Conservation. I am currently unfamiliar with this code, <br />but according to Mr. Zepper it allowed some leeway to certain building code <br />issues. This code applies to buildings that are on the state or federal register <br />of historic places. In particular, they have used this code to avoid elevators <br />in some of the historic buildings in their downtown area. This code does not <br />alleviate ADA standards, but as Mr. Zepper indicated, it is not the city's <br />responsibility to enforce ADA codes. He further indicated that the key to <br />using this code was to make sure the same facilities are provided on each <br />floor of the building. This code allows for flexibility in other areas also. <br />It is my understanding that the only building in Elk River that was on the <br />state register of historic places was the original county courthouse. However, <br />it may be possible to do what Stillwater did and declare the downtown area a <br />historic district. I recommend that Kurt Kragness (261-4433) from the <br />Sherburne County Historical Society is contacted regarding proper <br />procedure, if this line is pursued. <br />Declaring the downtown area a historic district may be a two edged sword. I <br />recommend thorough research prior to embarking on this course. It may be <br />that remodeling and/or demolition of buildings in the future are hindered if <br />placed in a historic district. <br />I thought that I would share this will you, Bill, and if appropriate, feel free to <br />pass this information on to the Chamber of Commerce Downtown Task Force <br />rub6-29/bz/stever <br />13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425 <br />