HPC Meeting Date: February 5, 2025
To: Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission
From: Mathias Hughey, Associate City Planner
Title
Consideration of Draft Conditions on the Certificate of Appropriateness for the Bridge Square Reconstruction Project.
Body
Action Requested:
The HPC will discuss and adopt draft conditions on the Certificate of Appropriateness for the Reconstruction of Bridge Square.
Summary Report:
The City of Northfield adopted the Riverfront Enhancement Action Plan and prioritized the rehabilitation of Bridge Sq. as one of the first action steps. The city engaged in and planned for this project and worked with the HPC and SHPO to review and address the historic characteristics of Bridge Sq. and Riverside Park to ensure the proposed changes are appropriate.
At the December 2024 HPC meeting, the HPC issued a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for the proposed rehabilitation of Bridge Sq. A copy of that resolution, including findings is included as an attachment. Originally, the HPC had been directed to limit their review to the retention of the character-defining and historic features of the square - this included the Civil War Monument, the tear-drop shape of the park, the sweep of Water St., the views to the Cannon River, and preservation of any archaeological resources - and that written comments from the HPC regarding non-historic features could be compiled and provided to City Council. Upon review of the comments and concerns received, staff determined that including conditions on the COA would be the appropriate application of the HPC’s authority to address the concerns raised regarding the proposed reconstruction.
Staff compiled written comments submitted by HPC members and reviewed the December 2024 meeting recording to determine which issues appeared to have consensus or received multiple comments or concerns. The features of the proposed rehabilitation which multiple commissioners expressed a desire for an alternative included the proposed interior lighting of the plaza space, the proposed benches, and the proposed bollards and bike racks. The role of the HPC is not to design a project for an applicant, but to either approve or disapprove a COA and provide direction and education to applicants through that process.
It is best practice to consult with an applicant when considering imposing conditions on a COA because conditions imposed may not be suitable for an applicant’s needs or intended use or may render a project economically infeasible. Conditions must also be defensible and therefore based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, a copy of which has been attached. Commissioners should consider how to support any draft conditions based on the standards. At this meeting the HPC should determine whether there is consensus regarding conditions, and what those draft conditions would be. Staff will provide the applicant (the Public Works Department) with the draft conditions to provide a chance to work with their consultants to address them. Tentatively, at the March HPC meeting, the applicant will be present to discuss the draft conditions, and the HPC will formally adopt any conditions.
The proposed draft conditions, based on written comments and discussion at the December 2024 meeting are:
1. All light fixtures shall be period-style consistent with existing period-style street lighting along Division Street as identified in the 2006 Downtown Northfield Streetscape Framework Plan.
2. Bollards and Bike Racks shall be period-style, consistent with the existing post-and-ring-style bike racks located along Division Street, as identified in the 2006 Downtown Northfield Streetscape Framework Plan.
3. Benches shall be period-style, constructed of cast iron and wood or similar and consistent with the period-style benches currently used in Bridge Square as identified in the 2006 Downtown Northfield Streetscape Framework Plan.
The HPC should provide direction to staff on any draft conditions by making a motion and voting to adopt each draft condition. Draft conditions that do not receive a majority approval vote will be removed from future consideration.
Alternative Options:
The HPC may decide not to include any conditions in the COA.
Financial Impacts:
NA
Tentative Timelines:
Feb 2025 - Draft Conditions delivered to Public Works.
March 2025 - The City presents revised plans or additional information & conditions adopted.