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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistoric Preservation Commission April 14, 2025 Historic Preservation Commission MINUTES April 14, 2025 President Ed Siewert called to order the April 14, 2025 Historic Preservation Commission meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Building Commission Conference Room at City Hall, 500 Quartermaster Court. Roll Call Members present were Johnna Anderson, Jourdan Ford, Lisa Green, and Paul Torp. Members Maggie Moore and Jason Schlatter were absent. Also, present Laura Renwick, Historic Preservation staff advisor and Administrative Assistant Shane Shaughnessy. Chad Reischl, Director of the Jeffersonville Planning and Zoning Department, was also present. Approval of the Agenda Lisa Green made a motion to approve the agenda for the April 14, 2025 regular meeting, seconded by Johnna Anderson and approved unanimously, 5-0. Approval of Previous Minutes Jourdan Ford made a motion to approve the March 10, 2025 minutes, seconded by Lisa Green, and approved unanimously, 5-0. Certificates of Appropriateness 443 Spring Street A Certificate of Appropriateness application was filed for 443 Spring Street by Tony Laskey. Present at the meeting for this application was Muhammad Masroor,property owner. Ed Siewert introduced the case and invited the applicant to present their project to the Commission. Mohammad stated that they were planning on putting an egress door to facilitate the development of the second floor of the building. This door would be placed where there is an existing night deposit slot. The door would complement the rest of the facade and as part of the construction of the door,the ornate drop box would be relocated to the left of the new door. Ed asked how they were planning on reusing the dropbox which Mohammad said that they would moving the medallion over to preserve it and that the dropbox itself was very moldy and dirty. Paul asked if there were any elevations of what the door would look like or if there would be an canopies above it. Mohammad said it would be a custom door that complements the other door and windows. Paul asked that if there was a transom or canopy that the line created by the existing windows would be preserved. Tony said that would look good to maintain that line and keep it looking similar to what is existing. Mohammad said that he would be removing the existing lights above the door and replacing it with something better. Lisa asked if they should see some renderings of the door. Laura said that it would be fine if they were planning on replicating the existing door and also said that it would make sense for the door to follow the line of the existing 1 storefront. Mohammad said it would be a good idea to put a glass transom above the door to match what is currently there. Paul asked if they would be putting a canopy as well which Tony said they wouldn't have to have one there. Lisa Green made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for new egress door with the condition that the deposit plate is preserved and placed to the left of the door and keeping the new door in line and centered with the existing storefront. Paul seconded the motion.The motion was approved unanimously, 5-0. Other Business Ed introduced the next item on the agenda- District Inventory and Possible Areas for Historic District Designations. Laura presented a list of properties in the Historic District with updated designation scores following her review of the District. Laura said she had added names to some of the properties based on the historic owner and asked for any information to help complete that list. Paul asked if a vacant lot was being used as a parking lot that it be referenced as such.Jourdan asked why certain properties were downgraded which Laura said that some properties had some alterations that had knocked their designation down. She referenced the Citizens Bank and Trust building at the corner of Court and Spring as an example of downgrading from Outstanding because it had been altered so much over the years compared to historic photos of the building. Paul said he wasn't sure about downgrading the building given how few Outstanding buildings are left in Jeffersonville to which Laura said that while the building was above average historically, she wasn't sure it could receive individual designation from the National Historic District. Laura said that ultimately the decision was up to the Commission. Laura said that she, Ed, and Chad met to discuss the possibilities of expansion of the local Historic District. Chad said that in the City's Comprehensive Plan recommended exploring expanding the local Historic District to improve and preserve the quality of life in the City and that there were many avenues of expansion that could be considered. Laura presented the current bounds of the local and National districts and said that contributing structures in the National District could take advantage of tax credits to help with rehab costs. Laura presented areas for potential expansions including properties on the 300 and 400 blocks of Pearl Street,on West Market Street from Big 4 Station to the Interstate,the commercial area around Wall,Maple, and Chestnut Streets, and the commercial area along East Court Avenue. She also added that they could consider including the Jeffersonville Bungalow Historic District that was identified in a Clark County historic resources report. She also said that designating individual sites as historic such as the Howard house on Market Street or the U.S. Census Building on 10th Street similar to how the Duffy House on Market was designated. Additional areas for expansion could include parts already in the National Historic District. Paul asked that if development projects such as the new houses on Maple Street had to meet certain standards because they are in the National District. Chad said they wouldn't but if they were included in the local District,they would have to meet certain design standards to make sure its appropriate for the area. Laura added that another option would be to designate some of these areas as Conservation Districts. She said it was different from being in a historic district as exterior changes such as windows would not be revewed. Instead, a Certificate of Appropriateness would only be needed for demolition, new construction,additions, and moving buildings. Lisa asked if that was currently being done by the City. Chad said that new construction and additions are reviewed by the 2 Planning Department but not for appropriateness,only for setbacks and other zoning related matters. He also said that they do not review demolitions so this designation would give additional safeguards against that. Paul asked if it would difficult to designate certain areas for historic review and other areas for conservation review.Laura said that it wouldn't but the key would be education of the public prior to designations to make sure that everyone understands what is being changed. She said that they should engage in that public education prior to any changes and should also meet with the City Council member whose district the changes are being made in. Paul asked that if they were to try to expand the district, if the people in those areas would think the new regulations would be a hinderance. Lisa said that a lot of the people in those areas are probably there because it's in a historic area.Chad said that many people in Rose Hill likely live there because of the historic character and may welcome more protections,though there may be some who would be opposed. Chad said that his initial suggestion if they were going to increase the size of the district that they consider a combination of historic protections and conservation protections, particularly in residential areas. Laura said that there have been studies done that show that properties in historic districts tend to accumulate value faster and isn't as susceptible to downturns in the economy and that the protection could be an advantage. Laura said the next step is to think start ing with and which areas theywant prioritize about about what was presented and think discuss it next meeting. Laura stated that she had been sent a COA request from Denton Floyd to do repointing work on the Masonic Lodge which she will approve as staff and mentioned there were webinars occurring later this month regarding historic windows. Lisa Green made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Ed Siewert. The meeting was adjourned at 6:26pm. ce)----1 i r- Minutes Approved: Submitted by: 3