12-05-2006 HPC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Heritage Preservation Commission December 5, 2006 Page 4 Rebecca commented that her understanding is that the HPC's policies, etc. need to be in place by February. Commissioner Gongoll stated he would like to have the entire Commission present for approving guidelines, etc. Commissioner Kxagness suggested doing a windshield survey of neighborhoods since the date of platting is known for many of them. First generation homes should be the focus for initial preservation. Rebecca discussed St. Cloud's Historical District Overlay. She suggested that this maybe the path the HPC wants to take. Commissioner Lindberg commented upon what HPCs in other areas have authority over. It was agreed upon that identifying districts must be the starting point. Commissioner Gongoll stated that without a specific inventory, he's not comfortable. Commissioner Lindberg stated his opinion that it should be neighborhood specific. Commissioner Nadeau questioned the age that neighborhoods should be. Commissioner Kragness stated there should be a critical mass concerning the number of homes that meet the criteria of first generation homes... with their design specifics. Character and integrity of early neighborhoods was discussed as well. Commissioner Kragness outlined his ideas for how the HPC should proceed to take a position and make policies. He discussed creating guidelines, formulating rehabilitation options, and finally discussed an ordinance. Rebecca commented that one goal is to bring more people down town. Commissioner Harris commented that residents complain about a lack of parking down town. Discussion followed that down town areas are generally designed to have pedestrian traffic (with the stores designed around that) and in most down town areas, people have to pay to park. A comment was made that the main objective would be to preserve neighborhoods through the use of a historic overlay district. Commissioner Kragness stated that he is willing to work on a document through a workshop session. A comment was made that this topic should be the only thing on the agenda for such a workshop so that both the downtown and the neighborhoods can be focused upon. The workshop could focus on downtown first (what is critical to preserve, then retaining character, etc.) and the neighborhoods second (to define and classify facts for when they should be preserved). Rebecca suggested meeting with Rich Kelly at the Historical Center in Becker. Commissioner Nadeau commented that she is in favor of that if it can be a productive meeting which helps form an initial position. Commissioner Gongoll commented that he expects the HRA and EDA to look at the retail or commercial values. Commissioner Lindberg discussed a Maxfield study, which focused upon the downtown area. Rebecca recommended forming a subcommittee to discuss the workshop with her and Commissioner Kragness. She questioned the commissioners present whether they would be