HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Minutes 12-20-2022
HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of the Meeting of December 20, 2022
Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, Community Room
I. Quorum: Commissioners: Chouman, Youngren, Peterson, Toppin, Simacek, Sovik
Siemens, with Borchardt and Smith at 7:05 p
Absent: Blasing
Staff: Fortney, Stempski, Hinzman, and Wilske
II. Minutes: October 18, 2022
Chair Toppin approved the minutes without any corrections.
III. Add the following item to the agenda: 303 5th Street E – new rear steps and ramp
Motion by Simacek to approve adding the item to the agenda, seconded by Borchardt;
motion approved 8-0
IV. Business
A. TH 61 Roadway Study Update and Discussion – Section adjacent to Todd Field
Staff members Fortney and Stempski described the general scope of the corridor study, the city’s
involvement and the HPC, as it applies to the historic wall at Todd Field.
Bryant Ficek, South Area Engineer with the Minnesota Department of Transportation explained
some of the physical concerns they have with the wall. Timothy Thoreen with the project
consulting firm H.R. Green, made a presentation including deficiencies with the roadway system
in the area of Todd Field. Hastings Police Chief Dave Wilske explained the safety concerns of the
area. He provided evidence of vulnerabilities surrounding Todd Field.
Commissioners asked questions about what improvements can be made to the east wall of Todd
Field to improve safety and preserve the wall. The study team explained the retaining wall
construction may not be adequate to support the improvements needed at the top of the wall. They
added that there are still other issues including extensive maintenance, unknown drainage design,
backfill voids, and needing the additional space for transportation.
Fortney explained that the HPC has obligations if they are presented with an application for
demolition from a property owner. He said the HPC must make findings that destruction is
necessary to correct a dangerous or unsafe situation, or there is no alternative to destruction.
Fortney added there has been evidence of safety issues presented and that destruction of the wall
could improve those issues. He added that there would also need to be findings that show those
safety issues cannot be equally improved by nondestructive means. He mentioned optional
intersection designs that would eliminate the Hwy 61 southbound turn lane to Hwy 55. Ficek said
that plan was not preferred by the Hastings school district because it would encircle Tod Field on
all sides with state highway. He added that there would be additional right-of-way needed.
Commissioner Youngren said he has always thought the Hwy 55 westbound traffic should be split
with a single lane north and south of Todd Field. He said Hwy 61 southbound traffic would enter
Hwy 55 at 10th Street and northbound traffic on Hwy 61 would continue as present. He added
that it would eliminate the problematic southbound 61 turn lane, reduce the number of vehicles in
between the intersections, reduce vehicles turning into the single lane Hwy 55 entrance from
north and south, provide more right-of-way at the 61/55/ Todd Field corner, and provide more
pedestrian space on the north side of Todd Field.
The study team and HPC discussed possible wall and fencing options if the wall were ultimately
replaced.
The study team thanked the HPC for letting them provide an update and discussing the Todd
Field wall issues. They said they will provide future updates as necessary.
IV. Certificate of Approval Review
A. 303 5th Street E – new rear steps and ramp
Fortney presented the staff report.
Commissioner Simacek commented that it is difficult to see from the street and the placement of
the steps will obscure the sight of the ramp.
Chair Toppin said the wood should be painted to match the porch. Commissioner Borchardt
added that the spindles should also match is used.
Motion by Commissioner Borchardt to approve the request with the following conditions,
seconded by Peterson; motion approved 8-0
- The wood must be stained or painted to match the porch.
- If spindles are used, they must match the existing spindle appearance.
V. Adjourn
Motion by Youngren to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 pm, seconded by Chouman; motion
approved 8-0.
Respectfully Submitted - Justin Fortney