Historic Preservation Commission - April 21, 2026 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Historic Preservation Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
The Historic Preservation Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Christine Kloubec, Matthew Boreen, Mike Dawson, Nathan Larson, Nicole Holden
Absent: Heather Fischer
Acting Chair Kloubec called the meeting to order and welcomed Members to the meeting.
Item 1: Minutes: Regular Meeting of February 6, 2026
Member Boreen moved the minutes of the February 6, 2026 Historic Preservation Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Larson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Historic Overlay District Review
a. 920 8th Street South – Chas A. Roberts Historic Overlay (Hawthorne neighborhood)
Planner Luke Morman presented the application to construct an addition and replace siding on the existing structure at 920 8th Street South.
Discussion was held on roof pitch, reasoning for stone on the front, and column wraps.
Applicant Anita Brandenburg spoke on behalf of the application.
Member Dawson moved to approve the project if the roof pitch matches the existing house and if identification of the detailing of the column wraps is provided. Second by Member Larson. On call of the roll Members Dawson, Larson, Boreen, Holden, and Kloubec voted aye. Absent and not voting: Member Fischer. The motion was declared carried.
b. 51 6th Avenue North – Oak Grove Historic Overlay (Horace Mann neighborhood)
Planner Chelsea Levorsen presented the application for multiple exterior renovations including a roof replacement, removal of chimney and repair of brick façade, replacing siding, and window and door replacement, demolition of an existing garage, addition of a covered deck and garage, and a variance of special development standards at 51 6th Avenue North.
Discussion was held on height of the existing home and proposed new roof height.
Applicant Robert Spieker spoke on behalf of the application.
Planning Coordinator Maegin Elshaug spoke on the based zoning district for the property.
Further discussion was held on the roof pitch, proposed height, and a special development standards variance.
Planning and Development Director Nicole Crutchfield spoke on overlay standards and variances.
Additional discussion was held on changes to the original façade, awareness of this property being in a Historic Overlay, roof pitch, window placements and sizes, alternative design options, and demolition and plan for the garage.
Member Dawson moved to approve the demolition of the existing garage. Second by Member Larson. On call of the roll Members Dawson, Holden, Larson, Boreen, and Kloubec voted aye. Absent and not voting: Member Fischer. The motion was declared carried.
Member Boreen moved to approve the removal of the chimney. Second by Member Larson. On call of the roll Members Boreen, Dawson, Holden, Larson and Kloubec voted aye. Absent and not voting: Member Fischer. The motion was declared carried.
Discussion continued on the need for more information to further review the application, such as building height, window placement, sizes, and height, truss design, dimensions, and matching style of the existing home.
Member Holden moved continue the application to allow the applicant to revise the renderings with a different roofline comparable to the existing structure and include dimensions of the windows, heights of the structure, and resubmit. Second by Member Larson. On call of the roll Members Larson, Boreen, Dawson, Holden, and Kloubec voted aye. Absent and not voting: Member Fischer. The motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Staff Updates and Discussion
Ms. Crutchfield shared that the updates would be kept to a minimum and could be discussed at an upcoming time due time constraint. She noted intent to provide an update on process on a recent appeal heard at City Commission, and an update on process improvements with the Planning and Inspections Departments. Additionally, she added that the Land Development Code update is in process and would be good for this board to review.
Member Larson stated the importance of homeowners being aware their home is located in a Historic Overlay district and to discuss ways to notify current residents and realtors.
Ms. Crutchfield informed Board Members a laydown item was provided to them with information from the Downtown Neighborhood Association and the Clara Barton Neighborhood Association regarding potential future collaboration.
Item 4: Next Meeting – May 19, 2026
Member Boreen moved to adjourn the meeting. Second by Member Larson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
The time at adjournment was 9:34 a.m.