Chair Emily Dale called the meeting to order at 4:13pm.

PRESENT:
EMILY DALE, Chair
ABBEY BUCKHAM
ALYCIA HAYES
AMY HORN
BERNADETTE BURCHAM
DUFFIE WESTHEIMER

ABSENT-EXCUSED:
SHELLI DEA, Vice Chair

Commissioner Amy Horn read the land acknowledgment.

None.

Duffie Westheimer requested two amendments to the 12/20/23 minutes. Under item 7A, first paragraph adding AKA Mineral Belt Railroad after Arizona Pacific, and a spelling correction from “Core” to “Corps”.
 

Moved by Bernadette Burcham, seconded by Alycia Hayes to approve the minutes of the December 20, 2023, Heritage Preservation Commission with the amendment that corrections highlighted by Duffie Westheimer are rectified.

Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously

Mark Reavis, Senior Planner, introduced the Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study for Peris House which included a consulted group that worked with Chick-fil-A that was prepared by Cornerstone Environmental Consultation LLC of Flagstaff, AZ, a qualified Cultural Resource consultant that meets the US Secretary of the Interior Professional Standards.
The consultant presented research on the Peris House, Salvador Peris and Florence Peris.  
 
Josh Edwards of Cornerstone Environmental presented their research, findings, and slideshow. Josh Edwards’ presentation included Special Thank You to Nikki Lober and David Portree from Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, property location, project overview, Peris House, 2002 Coconino County Assessor Plan Map and 1916 Sanborn Map, East/North/South/Garage-North Elevation(s), Peris Family History, Salvador Peris history, Salvador and Florence Peris, additional information on Salvador Peris, Riordan Addition, 1901 Sanborn Map, 1910 Sanborn Map, 1916 Sanborn Map, 1958 Sanborn Map, 1959 and 1964 Aerial imagery, Character Defining Elements of a National Vernacular Cottage, Significance and Integrity, Salvage of Materials, images of the Original Windows/Original Construction.
Josh Edwards confirmed the presentation is not the final version. More information will be incorporated after Commissioners’ comments and comments from Nikki Lober and David Portree.
Mark Reavis provided information and details from his memorandum which included the request. This is a request by the landowner and their consultants, in this case JLL commissioning a Cultural Resource Study on behalf of Chick-fil-A for the review and acceptance of the submitted Phase 1 Cultural Resources Study (CRS) with included mitigation as full compliance provided by the CRS and stated mitigation. Cultural Resources Professionals: The Study was prepared by Cornerstone Environmental Consultation LLC of Flagstaff, AZ a qualified Cultural Resource consultant that meets the US Secretary of the Interior Processional Standards.
 
In addition, Mark also included background and discussion information such as, 10-30.30.050.D Cultural Resources of Flagstaff’s Municipal Zoning Code describes what constitutes a major impact to Cultural Resources. Impacts to resources are major when they “directly or indirectly alter or destroy any of the characteristics that make the resource significant, including when they may diminish the integrity of the resource including its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling or association.” Direct impacts in this case are demolition of the buildings and context on the property. Indirect impacts from the demolition of the Peris house are the loss of one of the stops on an established walking tour conducted by Riordan State Park and an indirect impact on the Riordan Mansion, a facility of State Historic Significance.
 
A ZOOM meeting was held on December 22, 2023 with Mark Reavis (Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Flagstaff), Josh Edwards (Cornerstone Environmental), Nikki Lober (Park Manager at Riordan Mansion State Historic Park), David Portree (Archivist at Riordan Mansion State Historic Park), and Maggie Nuckols (representing the developer and applicant, Chick-fil-A). The meeting was to discuss mitigation measures for the Peris House project per the Flagstaff Zoning Code (10-30.30.050) for direct and indirect impacts to Heritage properties.
 
Lastly, Mark Reavis included the recommendations by the Heritage Preservation Officer (HPO).
It is recommended by the HPO that a mitigation plaque meet the following specification “or equal” that can be obtained by various plaque manufactures.
PLAQUE SPECIFICATIONS:

• Approximately 20” x 24” anodized aluminum plaque with frame and backing plate, bracket and post.
• Plaques to have approximately 250 words of text and 2 to 3 historic photos integrated with the text.
• The Peris House plaque will be placed in a highly visible and publicly accessible area oriented toward the sidewalk.

The HPO does not recommend a Phase 2 Cultural Resource Study with the recordation being sufficient. Phase 1 research and recordation with commensurate mitigation as being the most valuable in reducing major impacts to Cultural Resources both direct and indirect impacts. The Heritage Preservation Commission may condition approval of additional mitigation for indirect impacts to related Heritage Resources.
 
Public comments open…
Nikki Lober, Park Manager at Riordan Mansion State Historic Park spoke to the Commissioners, stating in 2016 the Historic Park established a walking tour, and the Peris house is an essential part of the tour as the only remaining example of worker housing in Milton. Nikki Lober expressed that Arizona State Parks understands that the Flagstaff Heritage Preservation Program has limitations in the ability to preserve historic buildings. However, does have requirements to mitigate the loss of historical properties. Nikki added, State Historic Parks concerns concurs with the recommendation of Flagstaff Heritage Preservation Office that the developer of the Chick-fil-A parking lot provide a cash allocation to assist with the development of interpretation at the entrance to Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, its concept having a relationship to the Peris Home site.  
 
Tom Eickmeyer, a grandson of Salvador and Florence Peris, spoke to the Commissioners expressing interest in understanding the house would be demolished and there would be a plaque created in dedication to his grandparents. Tom also shared that he noticed a couple errors in the presentation, such as date of birth, and was willing to visit with a representative to discuss adding corrections.
Mark Reavis confirmed that Josh Edwards will be adding any amendments and corrections to the report.
 
Commissioner Westheimer asked for clarification if the neighborhood is Mill Town or Milton. Josh Edwards confirmed that the area was once two words and changed to one word, and Milton Road was named after Mill Town. Josh noted he will work with Nikki Lober and David Protree to get clarification.
Commissioner Westheimer asked if all the research and archived information will be available to the public, and Josh Edwards noted he will submit the information to Mark Reavis to be curated by the city.
Nikki Lober added there are oral histories at the Riordan Mansion and digital copies as well. Nikki also mentioned there has been a suggestion with a series of signs and have a QR Code on the sign(s) for individuals to gather more information.
 
Commissioner Westheimer asked who moved the house in 1960. Tom Eickmeyer shared he does not know who moved the house, but confirmed it was moved from the corner in 1960.
Commissioner Westheimer shared she would like to see a map of the Peris house in relation to Riordan Mansion and the mill.

Commissioner Hayes stated she would like to see more maps associated with the Riordan Mansion with more context and expanded on in the report. Also, approve the report before processing.
 
Commissioner Horn asked if there is a higher level of significance with the Peris House as it’s associated with the Riordan Mansion via local level to state level. Josh Edwards agreed it’s significant at the local level and recommended it as significant at also a state level. Although, not sure the state would agree.
Commissioner Horn, where does the salvaged material go, and how does the process work with re-purposing the material? Josh Edwards stated he is not involved with that process and typically goes through the city after his reports are competed.
 
Commissioner Burcham asked during mitigation discussions was there a possibility of moving the building? Mark Reavis noted that there were discussions with Nikki Lober to try and move the building, but it was not possible.
Commissioner Burcham also added she would like to see more maps and descriptions connecting Mill Town to Riordan history in the final report.  
Commissioner Buckham said she would like to see as much information and significance as possible while providing as much exposure to history for the public, having QR Codes, information at the Riordan Mansion, and having more than a plaque.
 
David Portree, currently working on a book about Milton (Mill Town). David spoke about Riordan Road being the main street for Milton (Mill Town) and there are a few traces of that remaining and would like to see more than two panels referring to a panel at the Riordan Mansion and a panel at the Peris House. He expressed wanting to see panels at several places leading from the Riordan Mansion to the location of the mill establishing a corridor and augmenting over time.
 
Chairperson Dale, are any of the images showing the house?
Josh Edwards, we don’t have any images of the house. The images in the report were provided by Nikki Lober and David Portree.
Chairperson Dale, after the Peris’s moved out, what was the trajectory of the house after that?
Josh Edward stated he was not sure what happened after they moved out and not sure when exactly they moved out. Josh added that he would like to get more information from an interview and augment the current report.
Chairperson Dale asked if there is a parking lot over the property and the house will be demolished, could there be artifacts or other remnants of the Peris family that might be disturbed? Mark Reavis noted there is possible opportunity for remnants to be discovered as the building is being scraped for useful materials and potentially finding more aspects about the home.
Chairperson Dale, what are the next steps? For example, are we here today to approve/deny the report and mitigation? Mark Reavis confirmed this is what the HPO sees fit for the action(s) for not steps but can also include any specific changes to the report and/or mitigation.
 

Moved by Amy Horn, seconded by Bernadette Burcham to delay the consideration of this proposal pending, edits to the report as captured in the minutes (more imagery of the house, maps, and working with descendants on further and accurate information), and the inclusion of a second mitigation plaque at Riordan Mansion, with both plaques to be developed in consultation with Riordan Mansion and ideally to include a QR code with supplemental information until the next meeting.

Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously

Mark Reavis included in his report two re-roofing permits and when there’s an overlay, he makes sure they are done right. Even though they are re-roofing projects.
 

Mark Reavis shared that he makes sure, even though they are re-roofing projects, they are done right. Pairing his first report to both re-roofing permits.
 

Mark Reavis noted he is on all the internal reviews for historic properties that lay outside of the historic districts to the History of Route 66.  While reviewing he makes sure the project meets the appropriate requirements. As this permit was a solar application, he thought it could negatively impact the facility, but is not the case. The motel is being reutilizing to provide low-income housing.
 

Commissioner Westheimer shared that when there is pressure put on the center of town, historic areas for redevelopment or continuing use she would like to note that businesses need to provide sufficient parking for businesses on their site, so buildings are not lost to provide ample parking.
 

Chair Emily Dale adjourned the meeting by unanimous consent at 5:54pm.