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City staff outline parks cultural study, draft marker program and archives policy
Summary
Planning staff announced DCNR-funded cultural research for city parks, presented draft historic-marker legislation (including funding and perpetual care options), and proposed a short archives policy; public comment on the parks plan runs through July 21.
Planning staff announced the next phases of the city's comprehensive parks work, a draft historic-marker program and a proposed city archives policy at the Historic Resources Commission meeting.
Matthew said one recommendation in the comprehensive parks plan is to conduct a cultural-resource study of parks and that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provided funding to begin the work. "...we're working to put together what would be a kind of multi phased approach to conduct to do a cultural resource study on our parks," Matthew said, adding that the study could be coordinated with the State Historic Preservation Office and lead to Multi-Property Documentation Form (MPDF) work.
Staff also presented draft legislation for a historic-marker (cultural marker) program modeled on the landmarking process. The draft would allow community applications, staff review, recommendations to the commission, and options for outside funding of markers. Commissioners discussed requiring applicants to provide fabrication funds or establishing a perpetual care fund; one commissioner said their foundation paid about $1,000 for a marker elsewhere and advocated for an escrowed maintenance fund to ensure long-term upkeep.
On archives, Matthew described a short draft policy to create a city archive entity and a staff position to coordinate digitization, conservation, and public access. Commissioners asked about coordination with the county and the Hagan History Center; staff said the effort would involve departmental collaboration and outside expertise.
The Bureau of Planning & Zoning provided a public-comment reminder: the comprehensive recreation, parks and open-space plan is in a 30-day public comment period ending July 21; staff encouraged commission review and public input.
Staff said an RFP for a firehouse historic-survey project produced two applicants and that EDR was selected to perform the work pending City Council contract ratification. Several properties previously considered are now official City of Erie landmarks, staff added.
