Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historical Signs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Eagle River plan commission recommends signs to mark local history, conditions set for placement
Summary
After a public hearing on May 7, the Plan Commission recommended City Council approval of interpretive signs proposed by the Eagle River Historical Society, requiring placement coordination with Public Works to avoid turf damage and other impacts. Some residents urged inclusion of Indigenous history and questioned permanent mounting.
The Plan Commission of the City of Eagle River voted May 7 to recommend City Council approval of a conditional use permit allowing the Eagle River Historical Society to place interpretive signs at Rotary Square, Silver Lake Beach Park and Riverview Park, with placement to be coordinated with Public Works.
The public hearing opened at 5:05 p.m. with Vito Bortolotti, executive director of the Eagle River Historical Society, presenting plans for panels to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary and highlight local history. "I want to maintain historical integrity," Bortolotti said, adding the society expects a second round of signs within about two years that would include Native American history discovered during ongoing research.
Several speakers supported the signs but raised concerns. Kathryn Craffey asked that signs not be cemented into the astro turf at Rotary Square and requested soil testing before installation; she also noted the society’s application contained blanks and said the proposed panels did not present Indigenous history. Jim Holperin, a Square representative, urged that signs at the Square be portable to avoid digging into the turf. Chelsea Sims, joining by Zoom, and multiple emailed commenters asked explicitly that the signs include information recognizing Indigenous peoples who lived in the area.
Commissioners discussed mounting alternatives and content. Commissioner Mary Horant suggested affixing signs to neighboring buildings instead of penetrating the turf; Bortolotti and staff said the Historical Society is working with Eagle River Revitalization on placement and design adjustments. City Clerk Becky Bolte read emails from residents requesting Indigenous history be included.
Robin Ginner, participating by Zoom, reminded the audience that the commission’s review is limited to the physical sign structure and placement rather than sign text, citing First Amendment concerns about content regulation.
After discussion the commission approved a motion by Horant, seconded by Alex Forer, recommending the conditional use permit be granted with the condition that placement be coordinated with Public Works at city representatives’ discretion. The motion carried on a roll call vote recorded in the transcript as "all." The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action.
