Historic Preservation Commission approves adding city lots to proposed Grantsville Historic District

The Grantsville Historic Preservation Commission on June 10 approved adding city‑owned lots behind the Clark Historic Farm to the commission’s tentative Grantsville Historic District boundaries and instructed the chair to seek technical guidance from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

The action followed a review of a draft map and discussion of appropriate boundaries. Chair Alta Calcagno said the commission wants "to have a good balance of not becoming too strict but also keeping the integrity" of designated properties, and she said she will contact SHPO to establish realistic next steps and timelines.

Commissioners discussed including a portion of the old Lincoln Highway corridor within the district and noted that Jerry Hurst may have original Lincoln Highway signage that could be relevant to interpretive work. The formal motion to add the city‑owned lots was recorded in the meeting minutes as moved by Byron Anderson and seconded by Vickie Matthews; the transcript does not include a numeric roll call or tally.

Commissioners emphasized that the commission would act as a local advisory board under SHPO oversight and said they plan to finalize a recommended boundary and supporting materials for the City Council only after SHPO consultation. No date was set for a City Council presentation.

The commission also discussed the need to strike a balance between protecting historic resources and allowing reasonable flexibility for property owners. The item will return after SHPO review with draft application materials and recommended timelines.