DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

Transcription

1 DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE Historic Preservation Council April 4, 2012 One Constitution Plaza 2 nd Floor Hartford, Connecticut MINUTES PRESENT: STAFF: ABSENT: Chairman Nelson, Dr. Bellantoni, Dr. Faber, Mr. Faude, Ms. Gilvarg, Dr. Harris, Dr. Robbins, Ms. Williams Susan Chandler, Dan Forrest, Stacey Vairo, Laura Mancuso, Karin Peterson, Julie Carmelich, Mary Dunne Ms. Kane, Ms. Cutler, Ms. Maher, Dr. Woodward 1. CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS The meeting was called to order by Chairman Nelson at 9:32 am. 2. REVIEW OF PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEDURES Chairman Nelson noted that copies of the public comment procedures were available to the public. 3. CODE OF CONDUCT/CONFLICT OF INTEREST Chairman Nelson read the code of ethics statement. Related to Agenda Item 8E, Ms. Gilvarg disclosed that she was an advisory board member of the New Haven Preservation Trust and had a history of involvement with the organization. After review of her duties as such it was determined that there appeared to be no conflict. 4. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES A motion was made by Dr. Faber, second by Ms. Williams, to approve the minutes of March 7, 2012, with corrections. (Y-6, Chair abstained, Dr. Bellantoni and Dr. Robbins absent)

2 Page Two of Seven 5. REPORT OF THE EXECUTUVE COMMITTEE No meetings have been held by the Executive Committee. An Executive Committee will be established by the Chair by next month s meeting. 6. NOMINATIONS TO THE STATE REGISTER Stacy Vairo reviewed how a property is determined eligible for listing on the State Register. A fact sheet was also provided. A. Hartford National Bank and Trust, Hartford Motion by Ms. Gilvarg, seconded by Dr. Robbins:. The Historic Preservation Council votes to list the Hartford National Bank and Trust Building, 777 Main Street and 33 Asylum Street, Hartford, Connecticut, on the State Register of Historic Places. Sara Bronin, representing the future owners, spoke in favor of the nomination. (Y-6, N-0, Chair abstained, Dr. Bellantoni absent.) Dr. Bellantoni arrived at 9:50 am. B. British Raid Battle Site, Essex Motion by Ms. Williams, seconded by Ms. Gilvarg: The Historic Preservation Council votes to list the British Raid on Essex Battle Site, 67, 52, 48, 60, 57, 42, 40, 51, 47, 38, 36, 21-29, 43, 32, 41, 35, 39, 28, 26, 22, 20 Main Street and 6 Parker Lane, 10 Meigs Lane, 22 Pratt Street and Steamboat Dock, Essex, Connecticut, on the State Register of Historic Places. Jerry Roberts, Executive Director of the Connecticut River Museum, spoke in favor of the nomination. (Y-7, N-0, Chair abstained.)

3 Page Three of Seven C. Jelliff Mill Historic District, New Canaan Motion by Mr. Faude, seconded by Dr. Faber: The Historic Preservation Council votes to list Jelliff Mill Historic District, 41 and 47 Jelliff Mill Road, New Canaan, Connecticut, on the State Register of Historic Places Stacey Vairo noted the letters of support received. Color photographs of the property were distributed. Mimi Finley, Chair of the New Canaan Preservation Alliance, shared information on the properties on three presentation boards and spoke in favor of the application. Rose Rothbart, Board Member of the New Canaan Preservation Alliance, also spoke in favor of the nomination. Bishop James Zwernemann, Resident of East Haddam, spoke of the religious participation of the historic owners of the Jelliff Mill and residence and spoke in favor of the application. Jack McCarthy, neighbor, stated his interest in the Native American history associated with the site and spoke in favor of the application. Kelly McCarthy, neighbor, spoke in favor of the listing of the site. Attorney Tim Hollister, Shipman & Goodwin, spoke representing the owners / developers 47 Jelliff Mill Road who oppose the nomination. He urged that the matter be tabled. In addition, Judy Larson, noted her opposition to the proposed listing. Rebecca Stedman, member of New Canaan Preservation Alliance, spoke in favor of the nomination. Dr. Bellantoni stated that he would abstain from the vote due to his potential regulatory review of the development for archaeological impacts. Ms. Gilvarg asked for clarification on the potential archaeological review. Dan Forrest, staff Archaeologist, noted that adjacent sites had received review and that SHPO coordinates with DEEP on dam issues. He is not aware of any dam safety application currently under review. Dr. Faber asked what the size of the nomination parcel was. It was established that the property includes 1.69 acres. (Y- 7, N-0, Chair and Dr. Bellantoni abstained.) Break: 10:49 am Reconvened: 10:55 am

4 Page Four of Seven 7. HISTORIC DISTRICTS/PROPERTIES Mary Dunne, staff coordinator for Local Historic Districts and Properties, provided members with a summary of the designation and the role of the Council in the process. Motion by Dr. Faber, seconded by Dr. Bellantoni Nicoll-Benjamin House - Stratford The Historic Preservation Council votes to recommend approval of the study report submitted by the Town of Stratford Historic District Commission for the proposed Local Historic Property, Nicoll-Benjamin House, 1850 Elm Street, Stratford, CT. Mr. Faude applauded the Town of Stratford for the submission. (Y-7, N-0, Chair abstained.) 8. STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANTS C. Certified Local Government Grants Motion by Ms. Gilvarg, seconded by Ms. Williams CLG Historic Preservation Enhancement Grant: Town of Vernon The Historic Preservation Council votes to recommend the award of Historic Preservation Enhancement Grant to the below-listed applicant in the amount shown below. All Historic Preservation Enhancement Grant guidelines and state requirements shall be met by the below-listed applicant upon receipt of a Historic Preservation Enhancement Grant as administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development. Applicant Project Grant Amount Town of Vernon Printing, binding and $2, Distribution of 1000 copies Of the Vernon Local Historic Properties Design Guidelines TOTAL $2,800.00

5 Page Five of Seven Motion to amend by Mr. Faude; seconded by Dr. Robbins CLG Historic Preservation Enhancement Grant: Town of Vernon The Historic Preservation Council votes to recommend the award of Historic Preservation Enhancement Grant to the below-listed applicant in the amount shown below. All Historic Preservation Enhancement Grant guidelines and state requirements shall be met by the below-listed applicant upon receipt of a Historic Preservation Enhancement Grant as administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development. Applicant Project Grant Amount Town of Vernon Printing, binding and $2,800. Distribution of at least 700 copies Of the Vernon Local Historic Properties Design Guidelines (Y-7, N-0; Chair abstained) TOTAL=$2,800. D. Survey and Planning Grants State Funding Motion by Dr. Bellantoni, seconded by Mr. Faude Survey and Planning Grant: Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation The Historic Preservation Council votes to recommend the grant award listed below. Funded by the Community Investment Act administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development. All State and federal requirements shall be met by the applicant upon receipt of a grant. Statewide Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation Six training workshops for Local Historic District Commissioners and Certified Local Government Coordinators including workshop, reference materials and updates to the historic district website (Y-7, N-0, Chair abstained.) TOTAL=$20,000.

6 Page Six of Seven E. Basic Operational Support Grants Motion by Dr. Faber, seconded by Mr. Faude: Basic Operating Support Grant: New Haven Preservation Trust-2 year grant The Historic Preservation Council votes to recommend the grant award listed below. Funded by the Community Investment Act administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development. All state and federal requirements shall be met by the applicant upon receipt of a grant. TOTAL=$150,000. John Herzan, Executive Director, provided the Council with an overview of the programs of the New Haven Preservation Trust. Nancy Ahern, Board Member; Henry Dynia, Neighborhood Housing Services; and Susan Godshall, Board Member spoke in favor of the application. 9. PRESERVATION RESTRICTIONS no business 10. ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRESERVES no business 11. REPORT ON MUSEUM PROPERTIES Karin Peterson Karin Peterson reported that the hiring of seasonal staff for the museums is still in question. However, the museums are on track to open first week of May. Karin Peterson informed that CTN has aired two shows on the Prudence Crandall Museum and that the contract for the electrical work at New Gate is in progress. 12. THREATENED BUILDINGS no business 13. REPORT ON STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE ACTIVITIES Susan Chandler reported that the hiring process for the Director of Culture position is underway. There are plans to change the job title to reflect more closely the responsibilities of the two divisions Historic Preservation and Arts. There is a possibility of extending the deadline for applications.

7 Page Seven of Seven Ms. Chandler also updated members on the effort to exempt the council members from completing the Statement of Financial Interests. Ms. Chandler stated that historic preservation staff are now sharing the various duties associated with Mary Donohue's position as a result of her retirement. 14. LIAISON WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES (FOR THOSE PRESENT) 15. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS CONCERNS Mr. Faude asked if there was any new information regarding budget cutbacks. There was no information to report. Chairman Nelson asked council members if they were willing to accept meeting documents electronically. Members agreed to try such a system out for a couple of meetings and then revisit subject. 16. OLD BUSINESS - no business 17. NEW BUSINESS Chairman Nelson reported that Ms. Gilvarg has agreed to serve as Vice Chair of the council. 18. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn was made, and moved. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 12:08 pm. Next Council Meeting The next Historic Preservation Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 9:30 am, One Constitution Plaza, Main Conference Room. Respectfully submitted by: Lu Rivera Administrative Assistant