PRESENT:
Emily Dale, Chair
Shelli Dea, Vice-Chair
Abbey Buckham
Amy Horn
Bernadette Burcham
Duffie Westheimer

ABSENT EXCUSED:
Alycia Hayes

Amy Horn read the land acknowledgement.

Duffie Westheimer: Requested to be referred to as "she" or "her," rather than "they" in future meeting minutes.

Duffie Westheimer: Clarified that she was talking about the Townsite Community Land Trust program, not the City of Flagstaff's land trust program.

Moved by Abbey Buckham, seconded by Amy Horn To approve the minutes of the October 18, 2023 Heritage Preservation Commission with the amendment that corrections highlighted by Duffie Westheimer are rectified.

Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously

Mark Reavis: Explained that 617 W Tombstone Ave (Sedillo Property) is going to be redeveloped into a duplex. La Plaza Vieja is not a historic district but is a known historic/ethnic neighborhood that has a lot of history to it and there are efforts to preserve the character. That continuous chewing away of historic areas motivated to say that we really do need a cultural resource study on this. The Hispanic family was very much entrenched into that neighborhood. Phase 1 studies include mitigation. Felt it was important to have mitigation on this and to fully research property and family history. There are several mitigation options, but the community is discussing placing interpretive bricks around the park. The neighborhood association has put in an application to BPAC for that. It is logical to help move that project along.

Lynn Neal: Explained that a piece of information that did not make it into the report was the existence of a Sedillo grocery store in the neighborhood (La Plaza Vieja) that was demolished in 1975.

Duffie Westheimer: There was no mention of Justice of the Peace James Sedillo. Do you know the connection?

Lynn Neal: He was mentioned by the great grandson of the original occupiers of the property. He refers to Jimmy Sedillo as his uncle.  He did not grow up in that house, but believes he did grow up on Tucson Ave.

Duffie Westheimer: Asked if the owner has any plans to salvage the wall siding? The wood siding that I guess is the living room that has that beautiful pine.

Lynn Neal: Does not believe so. Thinks there will be some salvaging of the wood that is in the workshop shed and garage. Does not think the owner is opposed to having materials salvaged.

Emily Dale: Commended Lynn for the high quality photos of the property to document it. Assumed that the reason for demolition is the quality of the house.

Mark Reavis: If you go to that block on Tombstone Ave, It will end up that entire south side of the street is the duplexes which is a typical type of redevelopment for student housing. There's really only two houses left on that side of the street. Trying to retain some of the character in the neighborhood (La Plaza Vieja) is important and we will keep working toward that goal.

Abbey Buckham: Do you know if the duplex will be similar to other duplexes nearby? Will it be long-term or short-term rental? Do you know what the future plan is after the demolition?

Mark Reavis: Fairly certain that it will be a student long-term rental. Believes that the proposed design will be compatible with the neighborhood (La Plaza Vieja.

Moved by Shelli Dea, seconded by Bernadette Burcham To approve the submitted Letter Report with the amended title as a Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study as meeting submission requirements of historic research and property recordation with proposed mitigation.

Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously

Mark Reavis: Explained the project. Came in for required roofing permit, then realized that this intact bungalow is deserving of full restoration and full compliance with Secretary of Interior standards. Will allow them to re-roof, rebuild exposed and rotted different members that are part of this style of bungalow with exposed rafters, edge boards and bracket details. The owners want to make the repairs invisible. There is no estimate but they do know that it is going to be an extensive amount of work. Believes allocating the full amount for level 2 funding is appropriate. Will monitor the work and make sure to track costs.

Emily Dale: Asked if it is possible to make it part of the action that the applicants provide a budget.

Mark Reavis: Yes.

Robert Best: Explained that the roof is not in good shape and in need of repairs. 

Duffie Westheimer: Asked applicants to share about their family history and inquired if applicants had any information on the person who constructed the house.

Robert Best: Is not familiar with the person who constructed the home. The house came into the family in 1920. Wants to get it fixed up and looking better. Explained extensive family history in the Flagstaff area.

Duffie Westheimer: Asked if applicant's uncle worked for the city for his full career?

Robert Best: Explained that he did for 37 years. Explained his role for the City in the engineering department.

Amy Horn: Asked if it would be possible to add a budget into the application. Recollected that the previous form contained a budget section.

Mark Reavis: Explained that the current application does have a budget section. It was not submitted with this application.

Duffie Westheimer: Asked if sheathing is skip sheathing or solid?

John (Son-in-law): Stated that it has plank and then shake roof on it. Is going to try and maintain integrity on the outside of the home and what is visible, but will use OSB on the top where it isn't visible.

Emily Dale: Reiterated that current grant application does have a budget section.

Emily Dale: Asked what Mark's role will be with $20,000 grants.

Mark Reavis: Typically federal documentation required for the federal tax credit will ensure compliance with Secretary of the Interior standards. This case will involve more monitoring of the family's efforts.

Moved by Amy Horn, seconded by Abbey Buckham To approve a Level 2 Historic Sign and Façade Grant for $20,000 to support structural roof repairs, repairs to eaves, and painting at 314 W Birch Ave with the condition that the work comply with the US Secretary of the Interior’s Standards & Guidelines for Rehabilitation and that a budget be created and monitored by the Heritage Preservation Officer.

Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously

Mark Reavis: : This Gemini school was going (reviewed as a housing development) to be a housing development (the housing project is no longer being pursued with the land now proposed for a new school). More comprehensive of an archeological overview of property on the mesa. The new use may require additional reviews. Makes sure that future reviews of construction that are talking about subsurface archeology include a note that we can do surface reviews but that does not indicate whether or not there are subsurface archeological or human remains. Is cautious about things that happen on the mesa.

Mark Reavis: 123 W Birch Ave is where Cosmic Cycle is. There is an inappropriate canopy on it now. made the determination that a more modern, simpler canopy is a better use of that site. Is a non-historic building in the downtown overlay.

Emily Dale: Asked if that is coming down just over Cosmic Cycle or over the whole thing?

Mark Reavis: Explained that it will be the whole thing.

Explained sign review in the Downtown Overlay.

Michelle McNulty: Presentation for the Downtown Mile Presentation will take place in December or January.

Michelle McNulty: Asked if there will be a quorum for the December 20 commission meeting,

Emily Dale: Called for show of hands for who would be available.

Michelle McNulty: Determined that there will be enough people present.

Joseph O'Connell: Explained that the maps of properties in historic districts with Prop 207 waivers are not ready yet, but that drafts are being reviewed now.

Michelle McNulty: Believes that about 200 waivers have been filed in the city. Thinks that all but 2 are for high occupancy housing development.

Duffie Westheimer: Asked if those requesting waivers have to specify their reason for the waiver.

Michelle McNulty: 100%. Its not a waiver from all code. It has to be a specific code. You have to do it within three years and be the original owner. Must demonstrate that whatever the 207 waiver is being filed for diminishes the property in some way. Reiterated that most waivers are for high occupancy housing.

Emily Dale: Suggested that we save further discussion for a proposition 207 presentation in the future.

Michelle McNulty: Reminded commission of commissioner training on December 8.