HomeMy Public PortalAbout2021-08-05 minutesCity of Jefferson
Historic Preservation Code Revision Committee Minutes
Regular Meeting – Thursday, August 5, 2021
Boone/Bancroft Room and Virtual WebEx Meeting
Committee Members Present
Glover Brown
Bunnie Trickey Cotten
Donna Deetz
Debra Greene (via Webex)
Roger Jungmeyer
Doug Record
Brad Schaefer
Steve Veile
Committee Members Absent
Cassandra Gould
Holly Stitt
Stacey Young
Council Liaison Present
Laura Ward
Staff Present
Rachel Senzee, Neighborhood Services Supervisor
Karlie Reinkemeyer, Neighborhood Services Specialist
Anne Stratman, Neighborhood Services Specialist
Guests Present
Brian Bernskoetter (via Webex)
Call to Order
Ms. Trickey-Cotten called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and asked those in attendance
to introduce themselves.
Adoption of Agenda
Ms. Deetz moved and Mr. Jungmeyer seconded to adopt the agenda as printed. The motion
passed unanimously.
Approval of Meeting Minutes from July 1, 2021
Mr. Veile moved and Mr. Record seconded to adopt the Regular Meeting Minutes of July 1,
2021 as written. The motion passed unanimously.
New Business
A. Local Designation
Ms. Senzee discussed the differences between a National Register District and a Local
Historic District and a Local Landmark.
Ms. Senzee discussed the differences between an Overlay District and a Local Historic
District.
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Ms. Senzee discussed the review of Historic Preservation Plan references to designation.
a. Improve administration of local historic districts.
Ms. Senzee commented do we keep an overlay district when someone wants to create a
historic district. How does someone accomplish that, what makes them eligible and what
process do we want to send them through.
b. Establish a process for the review of proposed changes to designated Landmarks,
similar to the expected Certificate of Appropriateness process to be applied in the case
of local historic districts.
Ms. Senzee explained that currently within our code, a local landmark has the same
stringent requirements as a conservation district or a local historic district. It is an easy
process to become a local landmark. We do not adopt design guidelines for a local
landmark and it really puts staff in a situation because we do not know how to treat one
singular property. Should a local landmark go before the Historic Preservation Commission
for review because that is not clearly determined in the City Code. It creates a situation
where it is up to staff to interpret the code which is not a position staff wants to be in.
Ms. Senzee explained that there are situations where a property owner can use a
Certificate of Appropriateness. Either they do not and they do an overlay district where
everything is route through the Planning and Zoning Commission or they do and send every
single case through the Historic Preservation Commission where the Commission issues a
Certificate of Appropriateness that says the work you are proposing is appropriate for your
project. Communities use it in a third way which they only review cases at a staff level that
fall within the design guidelines. If they want an exception or fall within a gray area they go
before the Historic Preservation Commission for review of their project. If it is approved they
would be issued a Certificate of Appropriateness.
c. Establish a tiered structure of Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Districts with
regulations and guidelines customized to the character of the neighborhood,
neighborhood goals for the district’s protection, and level of significance and integrity of
its historic buildings and streetscape.
Ms. Senzee explained that a tiered system is based on how historic a structure is.
Currently we have a Conservation District, Overlay District and a Local Historic District. She
inquired whether we keep a tiered system or have just one system.
Mr. Brown asked what type of designation does the Lafayette Street and Historic Foot
District have. Ms. Senzee responded that there is no designation for that district.
Mr. Veile commented that having a Local Historic District without levels makes sense.
d. Develop Historic Neighborhood Design Guidelines to illustrate the appropriate treatment
of historic residences that will be useful and informative to the owners of historic homes
throughout the City.
Ms. Senzee commented that when there is a finished product, the next approach would
be to give people a useable tool that they can reference.
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B. Article III: Designation of Local Historic Districts and Resources
There were no changes recommended to the Purpose Statement and Criteria for
Designation.
Procedures for Designation
a. Nomination Initiation
There were no changes were recommended.
b. Nomination Requirement
1. Nominations for a Local Landmark – there were no changes recommended.
2. Local Historic District
Ms. Deetz asked whether local landmarks will have to have design guidelines or
a procedure associated with having to do something with that property.
Ms. Senzee explained that we have not included design guidelines for Local
Landmarks. Should we keep them separate from the Local Historic District.
Ms. Deetz commented that Local Landmarks have been treated in the past like
our Golden Hammer Award from the Historic City of Jefferson. Is a Local Landmark
designating someone who has taken a building and restored it or has kept it in good
condition as opposed to having restrictions on doing something else to it.
Mr. Veile suggested defining what a Local Landmark means.
Mr. Veile suggested renaming Article III, Designation of Local Historic District and
Local Landmarks.
Dates to Remember
The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 2, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the
Boone/Bancroft Room.
Adjournment
Ms. Deetz moved and Mr. Veile seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m. The motion
passed unanimously.