HPC Meeting Date: November 6, 2024
To: Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission
From: Mathias Hughey, Associate City Planner
Title
Review of Central Park (421 4th St. E.) for Local Heritage Preservation Site Designation.
Body
Action Requested:
The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) is asked to review the application and make a motion for the HPC to begin the local Heritage Preservation Site designation application process for Central Park (421 4th St. E.).
Summary Report:
The city may, from time to time, determine that certain places, buildings, structures, properties, or district areas or properties within the community are of significance in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, landscaping, and culture and those locations should be subject to additional review as it relates to the Land Development Code (LDC).
The property owner, Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), Planning Commission (PC), or City Council, may initiate an application for Heritage Preservation Site Designation. In this case, the HPC would initiate the application.
The original plat of the City of Northfield designated the area now known as Central Park as a Public Square. The park has evolved throughout the city’s history, but continues to serve the original intent “as grounds for pleasure, amusement, recreation or health.” It also features the two diagonal crosswalks laid out in the 1855 plan. More information is contained in the appendices of the attached application.
City staff received an application for Heritage Preservation Site Designation for Central Park from a group of residents. City Code limits the entities that may apply for Heritage Preservation Site Designation to the City Council, the Heritage Preservation Commission, or a property owner. Therefore, the group of citizens in question does not have the authority to apply for a designation for Central Park. The HPC may accept the application that has been prepared and initiate the process.
The application form and appendices provided by the citizens are attached. Staff have reviewed the application packet and determined it is complete. Should the HPC move to apply for Heritage Preservation Site designation, the attached application packet will be sent to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for comment per state statute. SHPO will have 60 days to provide comments. Assuming a positive response from SHPO, the HPC would then review the application and SHPO’s comments and make a recommendation to City Council regarding the designation.
At this time, the HPC is considering only whether to apply for a designation for Central Park, not to make a recommendation for its designation.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends a motion from the HPC to begin the local Heritage Preservation Site designation application process for Central Park (421 4th St. E.).
Alternative Options:
The HPC may decline to pursue a Heritage Preservation Site designation or may table the matter.
Financial Impacts:
NA
Tentative Timelines:
November - Initiate application
February/March - Review application including SHPO’s comments
March - Planning Commission review and recommendation
March/April - City Council review and decision
May - If designated, the ordinance goes into effect