September 23rd, 2010
5:30 p.m.
Historic Preservation Committee secretary Laura Bedlan read the statement regarding the Open Meetings Act.
1. Historic Preservation Committee secretary Laura Bedlan called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and took the roll call. Other members present were: Michaela Call, Kelly Davis and Leroy Bast.
2. Next, was the motion to convene.
Member Davis made the motion to convene. Member Call seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 3 - "yes" (Bast, Davis and Call) / 0 - "no". The motion passed.
3. Next, was the approval of the minutes from the August 10th, 2010 meeting.
Member Davis made the motion to approve the minutes of the August 10th, 2010 meeting and member Call seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 3 - "yes" (Bast, Davis and Call) / 0 - "no". The motion passed.
4. Next, was the Public Hearing. Discussion and recommendations regarding an application for Certificate of Work in the Historic District request HD-2010-07 from Fairbury, NE Masonic Lodge #35 at 515 and 513 E Street to install an awning over Kettelhut Real Estate and Great Western Bank. Legally described as Lot 1, Blk. 18, Original Town Addition, Fairbury, Jefferson County, Nebraska. Located in the B2 – Downtown Commercial Zoning District and the HD – Historic District Overlay. Discussion, taking of any necessary or desired action.
Member Call made the motion to issue a certificate of appropriateness for the Certificate of Work in the Historic District request HD-2010-07 from Masonic Lodge #35 at 515 and 513 E Street. Member Davis seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 3 - "yes" (Bast, Davis and Call) / 0 - "no". The motion passed.
5. Recommendations regarding request for changes to section 5.18 – HD of the Fairbury Zoning Regulations – 2005 Edition (Historic District – Overlay). Discussion, taking of any necessary or desired action.
Bedlan explained that there are two reasons to consider the suggested changes to the Historic District ordinance. The first is an attempt to reduce the number of meetings that are necessary to get a Certificate of Work in the Historic District. She explained that currently someone wanting to do work in the Historic District must first be seen by the Planning Commission who then typically request a recommendation from the Historic Preservation Committee. So the applicant must first be seen by the Planning Commission then the Historic Committee then the Planning Commission again before their request can be approved. The rewrite of the ordinance has the Historic Preservation Committee hearing and deciding on applications to do work in the historic district. So the applications do not need to be seen by the Planning Commission at all. She also notes that the Historic Preservation committee’s decision can be contested at City Council if the applicant chooses. The other reason for the change to the Historic District ordinance is so that the City will be able to become a Certified Local Government. This will allow us to apply for some grant funding through the State Historical Society. Member Call questioned if this is similar to the ordinance the City is already using. Bedlan explained that it is and that the most significant change is having the hearing on Certificates of Work in the Historic District at the Historic Preservation Committee meetings rather than Planning Commission meetings. The committee will also have to meet four times a year, the secretary will need to give a report to the state historical society once a year, and they will need to review historical landmarks in the city. Bedlan noted that she has had the City Attorney and the Bob Puschendorf of the State Historical Society review the ordinance and has incorporated their suggestions in the copy the committee received in their packets. Member Davis stated that he has not had much of an opportunity to review the change and after some discussion member Call made the motion to table this item until the next meeting. Member Davis seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 3 - "yes" (Bast, Davis and Call) / 0 - "no". The motion passed.
6. With no other business on the agenda and no comments from the public on non-agenda items member Call made the motion to adjourn. Member Davis seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 3 - "yes" (Bast, Davis and Call) / 0 - "no”. The motion passed.
Laura K. Bedlan
Historic Preservation Committee Secretary