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Home My WebLink About2024-01-11 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes � � " � � , � HI �T�F�.I� I�� F�V'�TI+C��1 � �� '1�.I �� S I+�� A� m CIT�" �aF BAN+G�R HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 11, 2024, 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS 262 HARLOW STREET MEETING MINUTES Commission Members Present: Edmund Chernesky Peter Keebler Rebecca Krupke (via Zoom) Anne Marie Quin Matthew Weitkamp Citv Staff Present: Anja Collette, Planning Officer David Szewczyk, City Solicitor Grace Innis, Assistant Solicitor Sarah Maquillan, Development Assistant Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM. New Business: 1. Annual Election of Officers Planning Officer Collette noted that, since Chair Riordan is not present for this meeting, a Chair Pro-Tempore will need to be elected to head this meeting. City Solicitor Szewczyk expanded upon this and stated that a motion will be needed move forward with this election. Alternate Member Keebler moved to elect a Chair Pro-Tempore; seconded by Alternate Member Weitkamp. All in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. Member Quin moved to elect Member Chernesky as the Chair Pro-Tempore; seconded by Alternate Member Keebler. All in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. Chair Pro-Tempore Chernesky introduced the annual election of officers. Alternate Member Weitkamp moved to elect Member Riordan as Chair; seconded by Chair Pro- Tempore Chernesky. Member Quin moved to elect Chair Pro-Tempore Chernesky as Chair. Szewczyk noted that nominations do not require seconds. Alternate Member Keebler asked if Member Riordan needs 73 I IAF�LC�3W ST�EET, T��.NC;�7E�, �vtiE C�44�1�. n�..EC.�I'�.:�C�NE: (�U"�) 99'�-4��C1 I�.A.�: (2C�7) �,�45-�9-4'� �N t�"'�"J:�3A 4�C;�"J�f�A C N�.C�C�"� Historic Preservation Commission — Meeting Minutes January iit", 2024 to be present in order to be elected for an officer position; Szewczyk responded that he does not. Quin clarified that she nominated Chernesky as Riordan has not expressed interest in serving as Chair again, and he has served as Chair for two terms. Member Krupke added that Riordan had expressed to her a willingness to have another member serve as Chair. Szewczyk recommended a roll-call vote on the nominations. Roll-call vote conducted — two (Alternate Members Keebler and Weitkamp) in favor of electing Member Riordan as Chair, two (Members Quin and Krupke) in favor of electing Chair Pro-Tempore Chernesky as Chair. As votes are tied, Chair Pro-Tempore voted to elect himself, due to feeling that Riordan has expressed willingness to have another member serve as Chair. Motion to elect Chair Pro-Tempore Chernesky as Chair passed. Member Krupke moved to elect Member Riordan as Vice Chair. Roll-call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion to elect Member Riordan as Vice Chair passed. Other Business: 2. Annual Traininq Chair Chernesky introduced the agenda item; Planning Officer Collette stated that the Legal Department will present their training first. A. Ethics & Responsibilities — Legal Department City Solicitor Szewczyk presented a slideshow on ethics and responsibilities. Passed out copies of relevant ordinances to Commissioners. Alternate Member Keebler asked how long electronic communications need to be kept after a Commissioner has left their position. Szewczyk responded that he is not sure, but that he will have an answer by the Commission's next meeting. Member Krupke noted that she has been using her personal email for Commission communications, and asked if she should create a secondary email address to use exclusively for Commission communications. Szewczyk responded that this is not required, but that it is recommended. B. Training on Commission Roles & Responsibilities — Planning Division Planning Officer Collette presented a slideshow on Commission roles and responsibilities. Alternate Member Keebler asked about the process of expanding historic districts — Collette described the approval process for this. Alternate Member Keebler asked about the minor revision process for application, and what determines a project as a minor revision. Collette described this process and how staff and the Commission Chair make determinations about whether a project is a minor revision or not. Alternate Member Keebler asked to clarify the definition of public art for exemption purposes — Historic Preservation Commission — Meeting Minutes January iit", 2024 Collette clarified. Alternate Member Keebler asked about demolishing neglected historic properties, and whether there is any monitoring done to prevent the need for demolition. Collette clarified Code Enforcement's role in this process. Alternate Member Keebler asked about the example given of the Penn Central case and how the reasonable economic return on a property is determined. Collette responded that this is usually adjudicated in the court system. Keebler also asked about property owners' responsibilities in terms of historic preservation and how the Commission considers this in their discussions. Chair Chernesky noted that Mike Pullen, the Commission's consultant, can often be very helpful in determining what is reasonable to expect of property owners. 3. Meetinq Minutes — November 9, 2023 Alternate Member Weitkamp moved to approve the minutes of November 9, 2023; seconded by Member Quin. All voting members in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. 4. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 7:48 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Sarah Maquillan Development Assistant Planning Division