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City of Farmington Mission Statement
430 Third Street Through teamwork and cooperation,
Farmington,MN 55024 the City of Farmington provides quality
services that preserve our proud past and
foster a promising future
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
May 27,2014
7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. Call to order at 7:00 p.m.
Commission Members Present: Members Franceschelli,McMillen,Haley,Lehto,Mohlis
Commission Members Absent: None
Also Present: Planning Commission Chair Rotty,Planning Commission Member Rich,Consultant Vogel,
Planning Manager Wippler
2. Approval of agenda
Motion by McMillen,second by Haley to approve the agenda. APIF,Motion passed.
3. Approval of the minutes •
a. March 25,2014 Regular Meeting
Motion by McMillen,second by Mohlis to approve the March 25,2014 regular meeting minutes. Vote:
4-0-1(Franceschelli abstain),Motion passed.
b. April 29,2014 Special Meeting
Motion by Lehto,second by McMillen to approve the April 29,2014 special meeting minutes. APIF,
Motion passed.
4. Public Hearings-None
5. New Business
a. "Basic Training"in Historic Preservation
Consultant Vogel stated that Farmington is one of 1,800 cities in the United States that has a Historic
Preservation Program that operates as a Certified Local Government. Historic Preservation is similar to
Planning and Zoning except that land use is not its main concern. State Statute 463 allows Cities to establish
Historic Preservation Programs and to designate properties as resources to protect them. The City adopted its
first Heritage Preservation ordinance in 1990.
Six principals that the Heritage Preservation Commission concerns itself with are:
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1. Planning function—future is all that matters. Keeping the historical significance.
2. Once you lose a resource they never come back. Resources are one of a kind.
3. Survey—inventory of resources that the community has.
4. Evaluating the significance of what is out there. Not everything that is old is worth preserving.
5. Treatment---design or permit review of projects that would have a significant impact on a resource.
6. Educational component—the more people know about the past the more likely they are to feel good
about protecting its resources.
The Commission also concerns itself with what to do with the Downtown. This led to the designation of the
really important buildings that are located in the downtown. That evolved into the Downtown Overlay
Commercial District that regulates new construction within a defined area in the downtown. Adaptive Re-use
is key. Rehabilitation costs less,in general,to new construction.
What would our next Comprehensive Plan looks like? The Commission may want to look at neighborhood
preservation and how we do it without large regulations. Discussion on incentivizing would have to take
place with the next Comprehensive Plan as well.
Consultant Vogel stated that archaeology is the main concern that the Heritage Preservation Commission will
have to consider in the upcoming years. It would be beneficial to integrate basic community development
visioning with heritage preservation.
Commissioner McMillen inquired if people,in general,are cautious about investing in their historic
properties due to the recent recession.Consultant Vogel stated that historic residential properties held their
value through the recession,especially in Farmington. Interest in historic properties is high in Farmington.
Consultant Vogel stated that the capacity for the Heritage Preservation Program is likely 30-40 properties.
Planning Commission Chair Ratty asked what pushed the properties to become landmark designations and
what makes these buildings eligible as landmarks. Consultant Vogel stated that the property owners normally
request the designation. There are four basic criteria for a property to be eligible as a landmark,these are: 1.
The buildings are important because it is connected to an important event or person. 2. Architectural value—
the type of building. 3. Archeology—the scientific value. 4. The building has to retain its integrity—the
physical characteristics that reflect that importance.
6. Continued Business
a. Limited Commercial Ventures at Historic Properties ordinance
Planning Manager Wippler updated the Commission on the status of the ordinance. The Planning
Commission did review the ordinance at their last meeting and requested that the ordinance be brought back
to the Heritage Preservation Commission and that the landmark property owners be notified and invited to the
next HPC meeting to discuss the ordinance with them prior to holding the public hearing at the Planning
Commission.
7. Reports
Nothing
8. Miscellaneous
Nothing
9. Commission Roundtable
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Nothing .
10. Adjourn
Motion by McMillen,second by Haley,to adjourn at 8:11 p.m.APJP,Motion passed.
Submitted by,
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Tony Wippler,Planning Manager
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