HomeMy WebLinkAbout02122021 Historic Preservation Work Session Notes - CLG Grant 2005 WORK SESSION NOTES Historic Preservation Commission
Called by: Chair Cheryl Seese Time: 10:48 a.m. Date: 2-12-2021
Purpose:
CLG Grant 20005 Public Education Si na e
Present: Commission Members Present:
Karen Corrigan, Acting Deputy Clerk Cheryl Seese, Sue Ward, Tanguy Libbrecht, Mary
Ann Benoit, Jim Pemberton
Seese requested Ward take the gavel, which she did after the meeting was called to order.
Libbrecht presented a letter for the commission to revise a letter created to respond to owners about their
inclusion into the CLG Grant 20005 project.
€ 000 Day,
As you are aware,The Seward Historic Preservati&n Comrnission has received a grant to create
a historic walking tour, prima rlly in 5eward's downtown hJstoric di=trict,and to cute and plane
up to 25 Interprethre signs related to historic properties.The purpose Is to promote
understanding and appreciation for Seward's history and i.o enhance tourism and our economy.
Response to the letters we sent out to property awriers nt historic parop•erwies has been
universally,positive and entbusiastic1 lifter careful consideration of properties who indtrated
interest in being on the walking tour,we have narrowed)the list of initial properties we will be
including in the walking tour using a graded scoring system based on many factors including
year built.,hlstorical Importance,exterior appearance,etc. Your property has thus be,en
deemed to meet the qualifications to be included In the tour and to receive a sign Indicating
inrarrmadon about your home fur walking tour visitors_
Next steps include completion of historical research and gathering of photos and appropriate
narrative to accurately reflect your property's significance to history and to Seward. Before
submitting final narratives for production(around late march),we will consult you for your
approval.
One important,time critical item will be the need to establish the size of the sign to be placed
on your property.Signs are typically designed at 2204 or 2406.Suggested size may be
influenced by+the amount of story narrative and pictures-These weather resistant signs will be
able to be placed on a sturdy metal sign base or affixed directly to the exterior of the home,
depending an your preference. Note that sign pe�mits will be required(filed with the city by
the HP Commission.) As mentioned previously,there is no anticipated cost to you as the
property owner. Additionally,we understand)the need for privacy,and we can be sure to note
your property is not open for public viewing unless you are interested in doing that. We
anticipate a public unveiling of the walking tour on or around June 26.
Congratulations and expect to hear more from the commissioner assigned to your property in
the coming weeks.Thank you in advance for your willingness and cooperation! Should you
have any questions,please feel free to contact me at 907-529-9709 or at
tyrlibbrecht@gmail_com. Please note these are updated contact paints for me.
We anticipate applying for a second round of funding to accommodate the strong demand for
signage. We will keep the community apprised of this as that develops.
Kindest Regards,
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WORK SESSION NOTES Historic Preservation Commission
There was discussion on placement of signs on properties, inside the yard, towards the front of the property.
Benoit stated it needed to be far enough back to not interfere with snow removal.
Seese was concerned about differing size in signs and the attached cost. Libbrecht pointed out there may be
more information for one property as to another. Libbrecht clarified the size is determined by the quality of the
pictures and the volume of historic information. Benoit stated that the requirement of 300 dpi was requested by
the sign designer.
Benoit posed if there is a possibility of placing a sign on the house. Seese asked who would be liable if
someone gets hurt trying to read a sign deep on someone's property, the owner or the city? No answer was
available. Libbrecht clarified this letter is a congratulatory letter, and would advise them that a
sign/participation agreement would be coming forth in the future.
Benoit clarified that Community Development was developing the permit paperwork for the owners, so the size
requirement is important to know ahead of time and not at the last minute.
Libbrecht showed the changes discussed:
unoersiananng ano appreciation Tor sewara s nrsrory ano so ennance Lounsm ano our econorny-
Response to the Fetters we sent out to property owners of historic properties has been
universally positive and enthusiastic!After careful consideration of properties who indicated
interest in being on the wallking tour and subsequent meetings of the HP Commission that were
publicly noticed,we have narrower;the list of initial properties we will be including in the
walking tour using a graded scoring system based on many factors including year built,
historical irnportance,exterior appearance,etc. Your property has thus been deemed to meet
the qualifications to be included in the tour and to receive a sign indicating information about
your home for walking ta4r visitors.
Next steps include campletion of historical research and gathering of photos and appropriate
narrative to accurately reflect your property's s ign ifi cm nce.to history and to$reward. Before
submitting flnal narratives for production(around late rnareh},we will consult you for your
approval.
Signs are typically designed at 12 x 18,2ax34 or 24x35.5uggested size may be influenced by the
amount of story narrative and pictures.These weather resistant signs will be able to be placed
on a sturdy metal sign base. Note that sign permits will be required(filed with the city by the
HP Commission_)as well as a simple,signed agreement regarding appropriate setbacks and
access/maintenance of your sign.As mentioned previously,there is no anticipated cost to you
as the property owner. ,Additionally,we understand the need for privacy and where
appropriate the sign will note that these are private homes-We anticipate a public unveiling of
the walking tour on or around June 26.
Congratulations and expect to hear more frorn the commissioner assigned to your property in
the coming weeks,Thank you in advance for your willingness and cooperat,ion I Should you
have any questions,please feel free to contact me at 907-529+-9709 or at
tylibhrechtfgmail-Gam, Please note these are updated contact points forme.
We anticipate applying for a second round of funding to accommodate the strong demand for
signage, We will keep the community apprised of this as that develops.
Kindest Regards,
2
WORK SESSION NOTES Historic Preservation Commission
Benoit stressed that if a sign is on the house, the public may not be able to access it, and that negates the point
of the walking tour for the public. Libbrecht stated that the letter does not state putting it on the house was an
option. The sign agreement will have parameters of the sign being on the post.
Benoit suggested they gather more information on the liability so the information can be provided to the owner
for a better decision on placement. Ward stated that residential should be on a post and businesses would be left
more flexible. Ward suggested for everyone to do a survey of the properties and see what the sign placements
were and have that for the next meeting.
Benoit asked about a letter for round two. Libbrecht said he can have one ready to look at next week. Ward
agreed to have a second round letter to the Clerk to send out at the same time.
Seese was concerned was that there was a lot of work to do for those not getting a sign and being on the
walking tour because that adds the amount of research needed. Ward and Benoit pointed out those on the
walking tour map already had sufficient information.
Benoit talked about her laydown and the tips for the commissioners to do research for properties and houses.
Benoit walked the commissioners through how to find the people that purchased and sold property on the
register's website. The only issue found was the information only speaks to the property, not if the property had
a building or when a house was built.
Meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
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