BENNINGTON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
             Bennington Town Office Conference Room
       Wednesday, April 25, 2007 & Monday, April 30, 2007
                     April 25, 2007 MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT:  Tordis Ilg Isselhardt,  Laura Gresh, Scott Murphy and Meg Campbell.
ALSO PRESENT:  Town of Bennington Planning Director, Daniel W. Monks, and Beth Antognioni.
Jim Secor-Owner-Bennington Station
Jeff Goldstone, Collin Tyler, & David Young - BMA.
1. Minutes of April 11, 2007
Minutes were approved with the following amendment- 4. Other Preservation Issues - Meg noted that HPC discussed inviting people to HPC meetings, she suggested inviting Bob Stanndard to the first meeting in May, all other HPC members should think about inviting other people in the community.  Tordis suggested inviting the President of SVC to a future meeting.  When inviting people to HPC, HPC members should mention specific issues to discuss.
2. DRB - Secor/Bennington Station Platform - Second Review
BMA Architects presented a second set of sketches of  the Bennington Station Platform renovation.  HPC agreed that BMA was heading in the right direction with the changes that were made.  HPC approved the sketches as presented, unanimous.  Secor will come back to HPC at a later date for final review.      
Drysdale Building - BMA - Preliminary Review
BMA Architects presented preliminary sketches of a portion of the Drysdale building.  This portion is infill facade work only. HPC requested additional information showing historic photos to compare in addition to digital photos.  HPC and BMA will meet again on Monday, April 30 for further discussion.  
3. HPC Members Discussion
HPC continued discussion on adding  one new member to HPC.  Action Item: Meg will ask a member of the Bennington community to submit a letter of intent to the Select Board.  
4. Making Defensible Decisions
The following items were discussed within the "Making Defensible Decisions" - Page 10, "Chapter Three The Preservation Partnership: Additionally, the local governing body participates actively in the administration of the district by approving the designation of additional local historic districts or district expansions, appointing replacement members to the commission, and reviewing appeals of the planning commission or development review board decisions ( in some communities local appeals go to directly to the regional Environmental Court).  Action Item:  Scott will check with Dan to see if HPC can appeal DRB decisions?   Dan said that HPC cannot appeal DRB decisions. It was also suggested that HPC meet with the Select Board once a year and perhaps the DRB and Planning Commission.  Action Item: Scott will check to see when HPC can get on the next Select Board Agenda. HPC is hoping to get on the Agenda for June 11, 2007. HPC is on the June 11, 2007 Select Board Agenda.  Action Item: Scott will provide HPC members with a current list of Select Board Members, Planning Commission Members and Development Review Board Members. Enclosed, you will find current lists of SB, PC & DRB members. 
Page 11, The following is necessary and HPC needs to be more conscious "All commission recommendations must be well documented so that the local governing body understands the reasoning behind a particular commission decision."  HPC needs to attend Planning Commission meetings when able.  Page 31 "Building A Defensible Record" It was suggested that HPC members refresh themselves with the information contained in that section.  Action Item: HPC members should look at the bennington.com website to find a place where they think a logical link might be to include "Making Defensible Decisions" . Further discussion to continue at next meeting.
5. Community Meeting Updates
Action Item: Scott will provide a check list for people who can make improvements to buildings in the downtown historic district. HPC will work on this checklist at the next meeting.
Design Committee - Meg mentioned that Bennington in Bloom funding will be taken over by the Town.
BBC is discussing parking issues within the downtown.
                     April 30, 2007 Minutes
                                
MEMBERS PRESENT:  Tordis Ilg Isselhardt,  Laura Gresh, Scott Murphy and Meg Campbell.
ALSO PRESENT:  Town of Bennington Planning Director, Daniel W. Monks, and Beth Antognioni.
Jeff Goldstone, & David Young - BMA.
1.     DRB
Drysdale Building entry facade work - BMA - Final Review 
HPC approved the renovation work to the infill facade that was presented. Unanimous.   
HPC approved the 2nd floor windows that were previously installed in the Drysdale building.  Any future changes need to go through the process of coming to HPC for approval.
                       Next Meeting Dates
          Monday, May 14, 2007 - 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
        Wednesday, June 6, 2007 - 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Scott M. Murphy, Secretary, HPC
Community Development Director
 
K:\Community Dev\HPC Folder\Minutes\Minutes\2007\041107.wpd