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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-08-04 Townsite Historic Task Force Summary CITY OF KENAI TOWNS1TE HISTORIC TASK FORCE August 4, 1992 - 7:00 P.M. City Hall CoUncil Chambers AGENDA 1. ROLL CALL Task Force Members: Jim Arness, Jim Bookey, Barry Eldridge Rona ld Ma 1 ston, Kim McCune, Dorothy McCard, Roger Meeks, Becky Tromblee Planning an4 Zoning: Kathleen Scott Council Representative: Mayor John Williams 9_. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Election of Officers b. Meeting Schedule c. Setting Public Hearing - Mission Street Improvements _4-___ PERSONS PRESENT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ~.lizabeth Henning' Assistant Director Western Regional Office, ~ National Trust for Historic Preservation Judith Bittn~r- State of Alaska, Historic Preservation Officer 5. INFORMATION ITEMS a. Kenai Ordinance No. 1499-92 Rezone TSH b. Kaspirsin Study c. Historic Preservation Series 6. COMMENTS AND OUESTIONS 7. ADJOURNMENT CITY OF KENAI TOWNS HISTORIC TASK FORCE August 4, 1992 - 7:00 P.M. City Hall Council Chambers MINUTES 1. ROLL CALL Task Force Members: Present · Absent- Planning and Zoning: Jim Arness, Ronald Malston, Dorothy McCard, Becky Tromblee Jim Bookey, Barry Eldridge Kim McCune, Roger Meeks Kathleen Scott Council Representative: Mayor John Williams APPROVAL OF A~ENDA 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Election of Officers Jim Arness was elected Chairman of the Task force. b. Meeting Schedule Mayor Williams, noted the memo regarding the Mission Street improvement plan, the Planning and Zoning recommended a public hearing before their meeting of August 26th. The Commission had asked the Task Force to set the date so they could attend. The Mayor felt there were some other areas, he wished to have the Task Force look at. He mentioned three areas, look at Mission Street improvements; look at complete review study which was done by Kasprisin in 1985, see how this would fit into overall picture for Old Towne; and look at the zone size and Ordinance. The group needs to look at what should be done with some historic artifacts such as the' cannon, which has been around since the turn of the century. Also, since Fort Kenay was recently turned over to the Kenaitze Indian Tribe the buildings behind the fort may need to be relocated. These items should all be incorporated into the Task Force's job, because these are things that are historic in nature. TOWNSITE HISTORIC TASK FORCE MEETING August 4, 1992 Page 2 The Mayor asked the group to broaden their focus, should the City own some land in TSH? If the City should purchase those lands,what would be the purpose. This needs to be looked at along with the preservation ordinance. The area seems to keep dwindling down to the area around the church. The question is, is that all that needs to be preserved, or is there more? Some areas, such as the old library and the site of the fine arts center. Townsite historic preservation is a complex issue. The group needs to take a full look at the area and looking at the Certified Local Government Program. Look at the Matching Grant Program, once all this information is filed, the group would have to lobby Council for matching funds. There is money available for capital improvements, and matching grants. There is a cap of $500,000 set by ordinance. Ju4ith Bittner, State Preservation Officer, said that the role of her office was mostly one of assistance. They have technical information and can put the City in touch with other programs and resources that might help Kenai. The first step the Task Force should probably undertake is to find what is important to preserve, historical and archeological sites. Bittner recommended that the program be set up to become a Certified Local Government (CLG). That way the city would have a system to assess what is important and how to reach the goal of protecting these important aspects of the zone. Elizabeth Henning, Advisor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTPH). She explained that this organization was chartered by Congress as a non-profit to preserve non-commercial historic sites. Her office gives assistant to nine regional states. She has worked through problems which many communities face in common, which may be one way she could help the City of Kenai. She also has resources to help in developing historic ordinances and taking site surveys, etc. Steps that should be taken would include an historical/ archeological survey; whether the plan is needed, what incentives would there be for property owners; investigation of NTPH grant programs; and education programs for the community. Jim Arness asked Bittner and Henning what their recommendations would be to start the TSH review process. Elizabeth Henning said a site survey was the most important thing. Jim Arness felt he would like to set a timeline for accomplishing the goals the group may come up with such as drafting the ordinance, establishing a new zone, and other areas of concern. TOWNSITE HISTORIC TASK FORCE MEETING August 4, 1992 Page 3 Ju4ith Bittner said that an inventory would get basic information down, such as local history, architectural statistics, history of Kenai, itself including settlement patterns, etc. Kathy Scott said that there was a frustration with the present system. She felt that when the new road systems were constructed the area area of Old Towne may be expanded and clear criteria needs to be established for further development. Scott suggested the group have a "walk through" of the zoning district. The group decided that a walk through should be scheduled for August 29th, Saturday at 2-00 p.m. The group would meet at the Russian Church (later changed to Senior Center). The next meeting will be held September 3rd. Jim Arness asked Task Force members to think about a timeline for work to be accomplished; schedule for meetings; agenda items and priority of items. c. Setting Public Hearing - MisSion Street Improvements No date was set, as it was felt there was plenty of time to address this issue and it should be looked at along with the total ordinance and possible rezone. 4. PERSONS PRESENT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD Elizabeth Henning- Assistant Director Western Regional Office, National Trust for Historic Preservation Judith Bittner- State of Alaska, Historic Preservation Officer 5. INFORMATION ITEMS a. Kenai Ordinance No. 1499-92 Rezone TSH b. Kasprisin Study c. Historic Preservation Series COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS 7. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9-15. full ted, ~r~ Transcribing Secretary 1791 - 1991 CITY OF KENAI 210 FIDALGO KENAI, ALASKA 99611 TELEPHONE 283 - 7535 FAX 907-283-3014 MEMO~DUM _ Di%TE: TO: FROM: RE: i%UGUST 5, 1992 TOWNSITE HISTORIC T~SK' FORCE ~ LORETT~ HARVEY, ~DMINISTR~TIVE ASSIST~NT / MEETING D~TES At their meeting of August 4, 1992, the Task Force scheduled a tour of the Townsite Historic zone for Saturday, August 29th, 2-00 p.m. The group will meet at the Senior Center. The next Task Force meeting will be Thursday, September 3rd, 7-00 p.m. Council Chambers. Please contact myself, at 283-7933, if these dates are not convenient, so we can reschedule as soon as possible. Thank you. Please find enclosed some information which may be helpful for background on this project' Kaspirsin Study; Ordinance to be reviewed; National Trust for Historic Preservation Information; and Task Force List.