Carbondale preservation commission backs bakery plaque, seeks larger Thompson House budget and advances OTR design-guidelines outreach

The Carbondale Historic Preservation Commission on Aug. 7 approved routine minutes and a reappointment, endorsed creating a second plaque recognizing a historic bakery oven on North Seventh Street, agreed to pursue larger capital funding for Thompson House repairs in next year’s budget, and scheduled public-engagement booths and events for draft Old Town Residential (OTR) design guidelines.

Members voted to approve the consent agenda (minutes from July) and to recommend reappointment of John Williams to the Historic Preservation Commission. Both motions passed by voice vote/roll call with members present.

Commission discussion then turned to a Structures of Merit plaque request for the Lieberman property. Commissioners reviewed historic photos and local recollections presented at the meeting and asked whether to install two plaques — one for the bakery and a second for the oven that remains on the property. Commissioners said a single photo-focused plaque for the bakery, plus a separate plaque for the oven, would be preferable if the property owner approves. The commission discussed adding a short note on a plaque clarifying later nonhistoric modifications (for example, a visible pipe installed by the current owner) and noted larger image sets and additional historic materials could be hosted on the town’s Historic Preservation Commission pages or by the Carbondale Historical Society rather than on the plaque itself.

On Thompson House, commissioners reviewed a staff list of maintenance needs and two capital-scope options previously developed. The packet items discussed included a proposed $30,000 maintenance line for near-term repairs (windows and other items listed by staff) and an existing $100,000 capital line previously included in town planning documents. Commissioners expressed that $100,000 will likely be insufficient for the structural and accessibility work envisioned (including foundation repair and limited-second-floor access for tours). They directed staff to obtain a more concrete cost estimate from Eric (staff) and to seek pricing for two alternate repair schemes so the commission can provide a clearer request for the 2026 draft budget. Commissioners agreed, as a placeholder, to ask town leadership to consider increasing the Thompson House capital request (discussion referenced adding another $100,000 as a possible placeholder, for a total of roughly $200,000) but said final numbers should be informed by Eric’s cost estimates and by updated contractor pricing. The commission also discussed whether the town would solicit bids or an RFP for the work and noted potential recusal/interest questions where a staff member might later bid on work; commissioners asked staff to clarify procurement and conflict-of-interest steps before moving forward.

Susanna, the project lead for OTR design guidelines, presented results from an open house and proposed community-engagement steps. Commissioners heard that the open house turnout showed general support for the draft direction (focus on building mass and site planning rather than prescriptive architectural-style controls), mixed views on whether guideline review should be mandatory versus advisory, and stronger support for mandatory review of locally landmarked buildings and Structures of Merit. Commissioners agreed to staff and volunteer first-Friday booths for outreach in October and November (October 3 and November 1) so the public can review a draft; they also discussed poster displays or brief informational materials during Potato Day as another way to reach residents. Susanna asked commissioners to submit written comments by Aug. 20 (Sept. 15 is the draft submittal deadline) and to route substantive, specific feedback directly to her before the deadline so it can be incorporated into the September submittal. Commissioners flagged a desire to keep a “wish list” of issues raised by the public (sidewalks, trees, ditches) that are beyond the design-guidelines purview but could be transmitted to other town departments.

Staff updates: commissioners were told the town’s new manager started on Monday, and the meeting closed with scheduling and housekeeping items for the Sept. 4 meeting (continuation of Susanna’s guidelines discussion and follow-up on Thompson House cost estimates).

The commission did not adopt any new ordinances or binding regulatory changes at this meeting; direction given to staff (cost estimates, outreach scheduling, and plaque coordination) was to develop more detailed materials and cost figures for future formal actions.