Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Date: April 1, 2026
To: Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission
From: Mathias Hughey, Associate City Planner
Title
Approval of Subcommittee to Provide Preliminary Review and Feedback on the Archer Redevelopment Project.
Body
Action Requested:
The Heritage Preservation Commissions (HPC) will discuss and approve the nomination of a subcommittee to provide feedback and guidance regarding the Archer redevelopment project prior to official Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application.
Summary Report:
The owner of the former Archer House site is seeking to redevelop the site. In an effort to improve project outcomes and streamline the approval process, staff is proposing that the HPC form a subcommittee of three HPC members to review proposal(s) from the developer and provide guidance and feedback on consistency with the Downtown Historic District Guidelines (Guidelines), and the Secretary of the Interior’s (SOI) Standards. As part of nominations, staff recommend a “Chair” of the subcommittee be recognized by the HPC as well.
Staff are also planning to retain a historic design consultant to help facilitate and bolster the application of the design guidelines to the proposed project. If approved, the subcommittee will work with staff and the consultant to develop clear, actionable feedback based on the guiding documents for the development team.
Staff anticipate that participation in the subcommittee will require additional time commitment from the subcommittee members. This will likely include review of proposed plans and the guiding documents, plus 2-3 in-person or virtual meetings of approximately 1-hour each.
The role of the subcommittee would be exclusively to aid the developer in interpreting and applying the Guidelines and SOI standards by responding to the proposal from the developer. Direction from the subcommittee would not constitute approval of a COA, or be an endorsement of any proposal or design. Approval of a COA would still require majority approval from the HPC.
City Plans & Policies Relevance:
The City is committed to the preservation and enhancement of its historic downtown and multiple plans reaffirm the cultural and economic value of historic preservation. The City is also committed to developing its commercial tax base and leveraging assets including the Cannon River. This project presents an opportunity to advance multiple goals from the Comprehensive and Strategic Plans.
Alternative Options:
The HPC may choose not to appoint a subcommittee. In this case, the applicant may present preliminary designs to the entire HPC for feedback prior to submission of a final COA application. This may increase the time spent on regular meetings, and potentially delay project approval.
Financial Impacts:
NA
Tentative Timelines:
NA