The Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commis- sion approved certificates of no material effect for a number of design reviews Wednesday, June 18.
The first was for a diesel generator to be installed in Memorial Park by T-Mobile for cell phone towers at the top of the water tower. Cherelle James of T-Mobile said they are in negotiations with the city to expand their lease which will give them adequate room for the new generator’s placement.
Board members had concerns about the location of the generators placement in the northeast of the park. The generator will be located near another generator owned by the city of Mount Vernon. Concerns had to do with noise and air pollution, as well as the industrial appearance of generators in the natural park.
Guy Booth made the motion to approve the certificate, with Sherry Brayton seconding. The motion passed. The commission asked the city to review if screening was needed for the generators and to review the noise and diesel exhaust pollution concerns.
Sue Pisarik and Rick Forbes of United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon were present to propose the installation of two mini split air conditioning units on the east side of the church near the lower entrance. Board member Duane Eash made a motion for a cer- tificate of no material effect, with Brayton seconding. The motion passed.
Tom Kortemeyer, owner of 107 and 107 1⁄2 First Street N.W. was seeking a certificate for recently com- pleted electrical work and minor remodeling. The work included the installation of two new electrical meters to the rear of the building. Commission member Mary Evans moved and Eash seconded, and the matter passed.
Cornell College was looking to replace a deteriorated deck and staircase to 508 10th Avenue S.W. The College’s plan to replace said deck will be with a deck smaller in size, but consistent with the deck to the home. Eash moved and Evans seconded, and the motion passed.
Cornell is also looking to replace a gravel area near the baseball diamond with an asphalt surface. Because the item was not on the agenda, the commission took it as informational until it needs approval.
The commission also provided guidance for available grants to Lizette and Cheyanne Anderson for a reno- vation of a recently purchased building at 12 Second Avenue N.W. The building is not in a historic district, but adjacent to it, and was the previous Ada Sherwood home built in the 1860s or 1870s. The building will be converted to a fourplex apartment building.