HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-18-06
City ofParmington
325 Oak Street
Farmington, MN 55024
Mission Statement
Through teamwork and cooperation,
the City ofF armington provides quality
services that preserve our proud past and
foster a promisingjitture.
AGENDA
JOINT COUNCIL/HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
WORKSHOP
January 18, 2006
6:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. Call to order
2. Approval of agenda
3. Introductions
4. Overview of the City Preservation Program
5. Farmington Heritage Landmarks
6. Benefits of Landmark Registration
7. Design Review
8. Adjourn
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Bev Preece - Chair
Edgar Samuelson - Vice-Chair
Tim Burke - Secretary
Danielle Stuckle - Member
Robert V ogel- HPC Consultant
Lisa Shadick - Staff Liaison
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE LOCAL REGISTRATION PROJECT
What is the Local Registration Project?
In 1999, the City of Farmington received a Federal grant to assemble the information
necessary to register five local buildings as Farmington Heritage Landmarks. The grant
funds were used to hire a historic preservation planning consultant to prepare a series of
nomination documents, called Heritage Landmark Reports, that demonstrate how each
building meets the Heritage Landmark eligibility criteria contained in the City's historic
preservation ordinance. The Farmington Heritage Preservation Commission, with the
approval of the City Council, selected the five buildings from its inventory of locally
significant historic properties. The grant-funded portion of the Local Registration Project
was completed in July, 2000.
Why designate these buildings as heritage landmarks?
Farmington has a rich and diverse inventory of historic architectural resources, ranging
from two-story brick storefronts to picturesque Victorian cottages. Since 1995, the
Heritage Preservation Commission has been conducting a systematic study to identify
and gather information on different neighborhoods and building types. While this data
collection effort is only about 25% completed, it has been possible to select individual
properties that meet the Heritage Landmark eligibility criteria. Because of time and grant
funding limits, the Commission selected five buildings for the study. The Farmington
State Bank, Masonic Temple, Fletcher Building, and Lyric Theater were chosen because
of their considerable potential for rehabilitation and because of the importance of
preserving historic commercial buildings in the downtown business district. The Ham
Clay House was added to the list because the Commission believed it was prudent to
demonstrate the usefulness of designating private homes as landmarks in Farmington's
older residential neighborhoods.
What is a Farmington Heritage Landmark?
Heritage Landmark designation is a form of overlay zoning that helps the City to
safeguard its unique and irreplaceable historic buildings. It is essentially the local
government equivalent of the National Register of Historic Places. Properties that are
designated Heritage Landmarks must possess historic significance and retain historic
integrity of those features necessary to convey their significance - in other words, to
qualify for landmark status, a building has to be demonstrably important and in good
enough condition to be considered worthy of preservation. The City Code and the
Comprehensive Plan describe the criteria used to determine landmark eligibility and the
policies designed to implement the City's preservation goals.
Why does the City need to designate Heritage Landmarks?
Historic buildings and archeological sites represent a set of scarce, non-renewable
community resources that contribute significantly to the quality of life in Farmington. To
make effective use of these resources, to respect their value and extend their useful lives,
the City has integrated historic preservation into its overall planning for community
development. By ordinance, whenever a designated Farmington Heritage Landmark is
threatened by demolition or new construction, no city permit can be issued without first
giving the Heritage Preservation Commission an opportunity to comment on the project.
The Heritage Landmark registration program is an important component of the City's
Comprehensive Plan because it establishes priorities for dealing with historic resources
within the framework of zoning, code enforcement, economic development, and
neighborhood planning.
What is the purpose of the Heritage Landmark Report?
The report is used to document buildings that are eligible for nomination as Farmington
Heritage Landmarks. One report is prepared for each property being considered for
nomination. Using written information, photographs, and maps the report identifies and
locates the historic building, explains how it meets one or more of the Farmington
Heritage Landmark eligibility criteria, and makes the case for its historic significance and
integrity. The report is an important tool for preserving historic properties because it
describes the architectural features that need to be preserved and puts forward the
rationale behind the City's decision to create a Heritage Landmark. Once a building is
designated a Heritage Landmark, the report becomes a part of the official record and is
used to guide future decisions made by City officials.
Is the Heritage Landmark Report a complete history of a particular building?
It is fair to say that the report for each building contains only that information which is
necessary to make a determination of Heritage Landmark eligibility. The reports are not
intended to be complete, fully documented, comprehensive histories of historic places:
rather, they present a concise synthesis of data that has been thoroughly vetted for its
reliability, that address specific information requirements contained in the City Code, and
that provide decision makers with an understanding of what needs to be protected and
why. Obviously, some buildings have accumulated an impressive amount of historical
lore that is worth preserving in their own right - however, the chief purpose of Heritage
Landmark designation is to provide a basis for land use decisions, not educating the
public about historic events, therefore some readers may find the reports wanting in that
respect.
How is a building designated a Heritage Landmark?
Historic buildings are designated Farmington Heritage Landmarks through nomination by
the Heritage Preservation Commission, a seven-member citizen advisory panel. Potential
Heritage Landmarks are reviewed against the ordinance criteria with the help of the
City.s Historic Preservation Planning Consultant, who is a professional historian with
expertise in architectural history and preservation planning. After meeting with the
property owner and holding a public hearing, the Preservation Commission forwards its
recommendation to the City Council, which makes the final determination of eligibility.
Buildings are formally designated as Heritage Landmarks by City Council resolution.
Who benefits from Heritage Landmark designation?
Everyone. Historic buildings give Farmington much of its special character and represent
an important investment in the quality of life in urban and suburban neighborhoods. Wise
use of historic resources helps the community to enhance its cultural, aesthetic, and
economic development resources. In purely economic terms, maintaining and
rehabilitating older buildings saves energy, time, money, and raw materials. Preserved
and protected historic properties also acquire prestige and distinction that is often
reflected in higher resale value.
What happens next?
With the Heritage Landmark Reports in hand, the Heritage Preservation Commission will
determine the order in which individual buildings will be nominated. This prioritization
process will involve input from property owners, other City boards and commissions,
historical organizations, and the general public.
For more information about the Local Registration Project and the Farmington Heritage
Landmark program, contact:
Farmington Heritage Preservation Commission
Lisa Shadick, Administrative Services Director
Farmington City Hall
325 Oak Street
Farmington, MN 55024
Tel. (651) 463-1802
Internet lshadick@ci.farmington.mn.us
Robert C. Vogel & Associates
Historians, Archeologists and Preservation Planners
216 Cleveland Avenue S.W.
New Brighton, MN 55112
Tel. (651) 604-0175
Internet vogelOI4@tc.umn.edu
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CHAPTER 11
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SECTION:
2-11-1:
2-11-2:
2-11-3:
2-11-4:
2-11-5:
2-11-6:
2-11-7:
Declaration Of Public Policy And Purpose
Definitions
Heritage Preservation Commission Powers And Duties
Designation Of Farmington Heritage Landmarks
Design Review
Violations And Penalty
Repository For Documents
2-11-1: DECLARATION OF PUBLIC POLICY AND PURPOSE: The
Farmington City Council hereby declares as a matter of public
policy that the preservation, protection, perpetuation and use of buildings,
sites, structures, objects, and districts having special historical interest or
value is a matter of public necessity, and is required in the interest of the
health, safety, welfare and prosperity of the people. The purpose of this
Chapter is to:
(A) Safeguard the heritage of the City by preserving buildings, sites,
structures, objects and districts which reflect elements of the City's
historical, architectural, archeological, or cultural heritage;
(B) Protect and enhance the City's appeal to residents, visitors and
tourists, and serve as a support and stimulus to business and
industry;
(C) Foster civic pride in the beauty and notable accomplishments of the
past; and
(D) Promote the preservation, protection and use of historic buildings,
sites, structures, objects and districts for the education and general
welfare of the people of the City. (Ord. 099-422, 2-16-1999)
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City of Farmington
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2-11-2: DEFINITIONS: For the purpose of this Chapter, the following
words and terms shall have the meanings respectively
ascribed to them by this Section:
BUILDING:
A construction created principally to shelter a
form of human activity, such as a house,
commercial building, school, or church.
CERTIFICATE OF
APPROPRIATENESS:
The documentation provided by the Heritage
Preservation Commission which evidences
approval of activities proposed for a Farmington
Heritage Landmark.
DESIGN REVIEW:
The process of finding out whether proposed
changes to an historic property meet standards
of appropriateness.
DISTRICT:
A discrete, geographically definable area
possessing a concentration, linkage or
continuity of buildings, sites, structures or
objects united historically by plan or physical
development.
FARMINGTON
HERITAGE
LANDMARK:
An historic property so designated by resolution
of the City Council.
HISTORIC PROPERTY:
Any building, site, structure or object that is
significant in history, architecture, archeology or
culture.
OBJECT:
A construction that is primarily artistic in nature
or relatively small in scale and that is
associated with a specific historic setting or
environment.
SIGNIFICANCE:
The historic preservation value and importance
of an historic property to the history,
architecture, archeology, or culture of the City of
Farmington, the State of Minnesota, or the
United States.
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SITE:
The location of a prehistoric or historic
occupation or activity that possesses historic,
cultural, or archeological value.
STRUCTURE:
Constructions made for purposes other than
creating human shelter, such as bridges,
roadways, silos, and grain elevators.
SURVEY:
The process of identifying and gathering
information on historic properties. (Ord.
099-422, 2-16-1999)
2-11-3: HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION POWERS AND
DUTIES:
(A) Members: The City of Farmington Heritage Preservation Commission
(hereinafter the "HPC") shall consist of up to seven (7) voting
members, adult residents of the City, to be appointed by the City
Council. HPC members shall include professionals in the disciplines
of history, architecture, architectural history, archeology, planning, or
related disciplines and such other persons as have demonstrated
interest or knowledge of historic preservation. Ex officio, nonvoting
members of the HPC shall include a representative of the Dakota
County Historical Society, the Farmington Historical Society, and a
member of the Farmington Planning Commission.
(B) Terms Of Office: All appointments for voting members shall be made
for a term of three (3) years. Members may be reappointed. Term
expiration shall be staggered so that no more than three (3)
positions shall be filled each year. Members shall serve without
compensation and continue to hold office until their successors have
been appointed.
(C) Organization: The HPC shall elect from its members such officers as
it may deem necessary. The H PC shall have the power to designate
and appoint from its members various committees. The HPC shall
make such bylaws as it may deem advisable and necessary for the
conduct of its affairs, for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this
Chapter, which are not inconsistent with the laws of the City and the
State.
(D) Program Assistance: To accomplish the intent and purpose of this
Chapter, the City shall provide the HPC with staff support and
technical assistance.
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(E) Powers And Duties: Unless otherwise specified herein, the powers
and duties of the HPC shall be as follows:
1. Conduct a continuing survey of historic properties in the City
which the HPC has reason to believe are or will be eligible for
designation as Farmington heritage landmarks.
2. Nominate properties for designation as heritage landmarks.
3. Review and comment upon permit applications and plans relating
to heritage landmarks.
4. Increase public awareness of historic preservation and historic
properties.
5. Make recommendations to the City Council concerning grants and
gifts from Federal and State agencies, private groups and individuals
and the utilization of budgetary appropriations for historic
preservation programs.
6. Prepare a comprehensive historic preservation plan for the City.
7. Make an annual report containing a statement of its activities and
plans to the City Council.
8. Any other functions which may be designated by ordinance or
motion of the City Council. (Ord. 099-422, 2-16-1999)
2-11-4: DESIGNATION OF FARMINGTON HERITAGE LAND-
MARKS:
(A) Eligibility Criteria: The following criteria shall guide the HPC and the
City Council in evaluating properties for designation as Farmington
heritage landmarks:
1. The quality of significance in history, architecture, archeology, and
culture is present in buildings, sites, structures, objects and districts
that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials,
workmanship, feeling, and association, and:
(a) That are associated with specific events or a pattern of
events that have made a significant contribution to the broad
patterns of our history; or
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(b) That are associated with the lives of persons or groups
significant in our past; or
(c) That embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period,
or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master
builder, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a
significant and distinguishable entity those components may lack
individual distinction; or
(d) That have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information
important in prehistory or history.
2. The singular physical appearance, historic character or aesthetic
value of an established or familiar feature of a neighborhood or
community within the City.
(8) Findings Of Significance: The HPC shall determine if an historic
property is eligible for designation as a Farmington heritage
landmark and issue a written finding of significance.
(C) Council Designation, Hearings: The City Council, upon
recommendation of the HPC, may by resolution designate a
Farmington heritage landmark. Prior to such designation, the City
Council shall hold a public hearing, notice of which shall have been
published in the official newspaper at least ten (10) days prior to the
date of the hearing and mailed notice sent to the owner(s) of the
property which is proposed to be designated a heritage landmark
and to all owners of property lying adjacent to the historic property.
(D) Communication With The Minnesota Historical Society: Prior to
designating a Farmington heritage landmark, the City shall forward
information concerning the proposed designation to the Minnesota
Historical Society for review and comment in accordance with MSA,
section 471.193.
(E) Designation Of Heritage Landmarks On The Zoning Map: The City
shall place designated Farmington heritage landmark properties on
the Official City Zoning Map. (Ord. 099-422, 2-16-1999)
2-11-5: DESIGN REVIEW:
(A) Review Of Permits: The HPC shall review and make
recommendations to the City Council concerning the issuance of City
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permits to do any of the following in relation to a property designated
as a Farmington heritage landmark:
1. Demolition of an historic building or structure.
2. Moving an historic building, structure, or object.
3. New construction of a principal building or accessory structure.
(B) Alterations: The HPC shall determine whether the proposed activity
will alter, disturb, deface or materially change the appearance or use
of a heritage landmark. The HPC may recommend to the City
Council conditions for permit approval that it deems reasonable and
app rop riate.
(C) Certificate Of Appropriateness: No permit will be issued by the City
unless a certificate of appropriateness has been granted by the HPC.
A copy of the certificate of appropriateness shall be attached to the
permit when issued, and a copy filed with the City Building Official. A
certificate of appropriateness shall become void twenty four (24)
months after issuance unless a City permit has been issued.
(D) Development Projects: Every application for a preliminary or final
plat, variance or conditional use permit in relation to a significant
historic property in the City shall be reviewed by the HPC and their
recommendation shall be forwarded to the Planning Commission for
consideration in making their recommendation to the City Council. In
determining whether or not a project will have an adverse effect
upon a significant historic property, the HPC shall consider the
following factors:
1. Whether the development will substantially alter the appearance
of an historic building, site, structure, object or district so as to
remove the features which distinguish the historic property as a
heritage landmark; and
2. Whether the use of the property will destroy, disturb or endanger a
known or suspected archeological feature.
(E) Design Review Standards And Guidelines: The Secretary of the
Interior's standards for the treatment of historic properties shall be
the required basis for permit review decisions. The City may adopt
design review guidelines; in the absence of such guidelines, design
review decisions will be based upon the current Secretary of the
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Interior guidelines for preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and
reconstruction.
(F) Outside Technical Advice: The HPC may seek technical advice from
outside its members on any design review.
(G) Appeals: Any party aggrieved by a decision of the HPC shall, within
ten (10) days of the HPC's action approving or denying a certificate
of appropriateness, have a right to appeal such decision to the City
Council. When denying a certificate of appropriateness, the HPC
shall advise the permit applicant of their right to file a written notice
with the City Administrator requesting City Council review of the
action taken by the HPC. Upon receipt of the notice of appeal, the
City Administrator shall transmit one copy to the HPC. (Ord.
099-422, 2-16-1999)
2-11-6: VIOLATIONS AND PENALTY: It shall be a misdemeanor to
alter, disturb, deface or materially change the appearance or
use of a designated Farmington heritage landmark without a certificate of
appropriateness. (Ord. 099-422, 2-16-1999)
2-11-7: REPOSITORY FOR DOCUMENTS: The office of the City
Administrator is designated as the repository for all reports,
studies, minutes, and other documents produced by the HPC. (Ord.
099-422, 2-16-1999)
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City of Farmington