The City of Auburn
Historic Resources Review Board
c/o Office of Planning and Economic Development
Memorial City Hall - 24 South Street
Auburn, New York 13021
(315) 255-4115 Fax 253-0282
Meeting Minutes
January 10, 2006
1. Meeting was opened in the City Caucus Room of Memorial City Hall. In attendance were members: Mike Deming, Jim Hutchinson, Christina Selvek, Betty Lewis and Judith Bryant. Staff members Mike Long and Alicia McKeen. Guests Bob and Pat Hunter and County Historian Sheila Tucker.
2. Approval of Minutes: no action
3. Other matters.
Sheila gave an update of the Underground Railroad research and the Clark St. building involved.
Mike Long – The Clark St. bldg was donated to St. Mary’s. They have asked the city for a small portion of property adjacent. Transfer is contingent of Site Plan approval. St. Mary’s is undecided on what to do.
Bob Hunter – it is probably cost prohibitive for what they want to have done.
Mike Deming – there is new legislation being considered where property owners can be sued for not keeping up the property.
Christina Selvek – spoke with the State Preservation Office. This is not a Type I SEQR action. We could go to the paper for public opinion. Diocese is not preservation oriented. Explained the importance to the community of Hosmer and Welch Allyn. Questions if NYS Environmental Protection Funds (EPF) funding would be available.
Mike Long – HRRB has not been forceful in the past. When the historic district was first created it was opposed by St. Mary's. Went forward with support from the residents of Grover St to support NYS EQBA grant applications for the Willard Memorial Chapel and Cayuga Museum Research Lab (both received additional points and were grant awarded). Designation as a local landmark would involve a public hearing by the City Council.
Sheila – we can do some additional research on the building for newspaper articles.
Jim Hutchinson – Council has to approve a transfer. We don’t just want to see it sit there. If demo’d will the foundation remain? Engineering issues would be involved.
Mike Long – thinks it’s a good place for a visitor’s center.
Judith Bryant – this group could develop a concept for use.
Sheila – asks the condition of the building.
Bob Hunter – it is structurally sound. It needs rehabbing though.
Mike Long – we could help the church develop a plan for street parking and put parking around the building. May also be considering removing the rectory.
Sheila – we’ve been working with the church historian.
Christina Selvek – do we have a footprint? How many parking spaces?
Mike Long – we can figure that out.
Jim Hutchinson – they need to submit a plan.
Mike Long – does this group want to comment on the site plan when developed.
Mike Deming – we should be able to do that.
Bob Hunter – we can show how it would not be worth it for just a few spaces.
Mike Long – we first need to enlighten them as to what they can and can’t get out of it. Define course of action?
Christina Selvek – and maintain a relation with the church
Mike Deming – we can send something to Council
Mike Long – check the deed transfer and do preliminary plan; a letter to Council outlining HRRB concerns; offer assistance to the church; develop site plan and re-use for the building.
Jim Hutchinson – make sure they can’t come in and just demo it.
Bob Hunter – check the resolution is based on site plan being done first; number of spots and cost of installing parking; there is no access from the Arterial.
Motion for a letter to the Church and Council and signed by Mike Deming made by Jim Hutchinson, seconded by Christina Selvek. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
4. Adjournment: Next meeting depending upon action required is scheduled for February 14, 2006. Motion to adjourn made by Jim Hutchinson, seconded by Betty Lewis. All members vote approval. Motion carried.
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