MINUTES
| HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION WEDNESDAY MAY 20, 2026 |
COUNCIL CHAMBERS 211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE 4:00 P.M. |
1.
Call to Order
NOTICE OF OPTION TO RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02, notice is hereby given to the members of the Heritage Preservation Commission and to the general public that, at this regular meeting, the Heritage Preservation Commission may vote to go into executive session, which will not be open to the public, for legal advice and discussion with the City’s attorneys for legal advice on any item listed on the following agenda, pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3).
- Chair Westheimer called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.
2.
Roll Call
| NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
| PRESENT DUFFIE WESTHEIMER, CHAIR ALEC OVERMANN, VICE CHAIR EMILY DALE JESSE DOMINGUEZ ALYCIA HAYES - VIRTUAL CAITLIN STEWART |
EXCUSED JEANNE STEVENS |
3.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Heritage Preservation Commission humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
The Heritage Preservation Commission humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
- The Land Acknowledgment was read by Commissioner Dominquez.
4.
Open Call to the Public
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject within their jurisdiction that is not scheduled before the Commission on that day. Due to Open Meeting Laws, the Commission cannot discuss or act on items presented during this portion of the agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard.
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject within their jurisdiction that is not scheduled before the Commission on that day. Due to Open Meeting Laws, the Commission cannot discuss or act on items presented during this portion of the agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard.
None.
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the minutes from the regular meeting on April 15, 2026: April 15, 2026 Heritage Preservation Commission Minutes.
Approval of the minutes from the regular meeting on April 15, 2026: April 15, 2026 Heritage Preservation Commission Minutes.
Moved by Emily Dale, seconded by Caitlin Stewart to approve the minutes from April 15th with the condition that they are checked for spelling errors.
Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously
6.
PUBLIC HEARING
A.
910 N. Leroux St. Grant Application
PROPERTY INFORMATION:
Address: 910 N. Leroux St.
Assessor's Parcel Number: 101-02-006
Property Owner: Dr. Gary E. Bowman
Applicant: Dr. Gary E. Bowman
City Staff: Lauren Clementino, HPO
Assessor's Parcel Number: 101-02-006
Property Owner: Dr. Gary E. Bowman
Applicant: Dr. Gary E. Bowman
City Staff: Lauren Clementino, HPO
REQUESTED ACTION:
Approve a Level 1 Historic Signs and Facades Grant application for the residence at 910 N. Leroux St. to replace deteriorating trim boards and paint the trim boards, stucco, fascia, and soffit.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve a Level 1 Historic Signs and Facades Grant application for the residence at 910 N. Leroux St. to replace deteriorating trim boards and paint the trim boards, stucco, fascia, and soffit.
- Application materials were presented and Commissioner questions were addressed by Lauren Clementino (Heritage Preservation Officer) and Dr. Gary Bowman (property owner and applicant).
Moved by Caitlin Stewart, seconded by Alec Overmann to approve the Level 1 Historic Signs and Facades Grant application for the residence at 910 N. Leroux St. to replace deteriorating trim boards and paint the trim boards, stucco, fascia, and soffit.
Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously
B.
19 W. Birch Ave. Phase 2 Cultural Resource Study
PROPERTY INFORMATION:
Address: 19 W. Birch Ave.
Assessor's Parcel Number: 100-19-004A
Property Owner: Capri Flagstaff LLC
Applicant: Capri Flagstaff LLC
City Staff: Lauren Clementino, HPO
Assessor's Parcel Number: 100-19-004A
Property Owner: Capri Flagstaff LLC
Applicant: Capri Flagstaff LLC
City Staff: Lauren Clementino, HPO
REQUESTED ACTION:
Approve the Phase 2 Cultural Resource Study including archival grade photography, as-built drawings, and elevation drawings for 19 W. Birch Ave.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve the Phase 2 Cultural Resource Study for 19 W. Birch Ave. as meeting the previous Phase 1 condition of approval requiring architectural documentation to include archival grade photography, as-built drawings, and elevation drawings, and carry forward the previous condition requiring archiving both studies in a place where they will be publicly accessible.
- Caitlin Stewart (Co-Owner & Director, Cornerstone Environmental Consulting, LLC) recused herself from her role as Heritage Preservation Commissioner while acting in her professional capacity for this item and the following agenda item.
- Lauren Clementino introduced the agenda item and Caitlin Stewart.
- Caitlin Stewart presented on the Phase 2 Cultural Resource Study and provided an update on the interpretive mitigation required by the Commission as a previous condition of approval that is currently being developed in consultation with the Indigenous Commission.
- Commissioner questions were answered by Caitlin Stewart and Lauren Clementino.
- Public Comment was provided by Gail Jackson, President and CEO of ECONA, the regional economic development organization. Comment was provided in support of this project and asking the Commission to provide clarity on what they request from the property owner.
Moved by Emily Dale, seconded by Alycia Hayes to not accept the Phase 2 Cultural Resource Study for 19 W Birch Ave. with the ask for revisions to:
- Add a North arrow to the floorplans
- Fix the address on the elevation drawings
- Add more details of materials and three dimensionality to the elevation drawings
- Amend the form (HPC-CRS application) to correct that it has been assessed for the National Register
Vote: 5 - 0
C.
19 W. Birch Ave. Certificate of Appropriateness
PROPERTY INFORMATION:
Address: 19 W. Birch Ave.
Assessor's Parcel Number: 100-19-004A, 100-19-008A, and 100-19-007
Property Owner: Capri Flagstaff LLC and Leroux Retail LLC
Applicant: Capri Flagstaff LLC
City Staff: Lauren Clementino, HPO
Assessor's Parcel Number: 100-19-004A, 100-19-008A, and 100-19-007
Property Owner: Capri Flagstaff LLC and Leroux Retail LLC
Applicant: Capri Flagstaff LLC
City Staff: Lauren Clementino, HPO
REQUESTED ACTION:
Approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for:
- Demolition of the existing building at 19 W. Birch Ave. (parcel 100-19-004A).
- Design of new hotel and parking garage buildings on parcels 100-19-004A, 100-19-008A, and 100-19-007.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Divide the request into two separate parts and approve separate motions to:
- Require a Certificate of Economic Hardship for the demolition of the existing building at 19 W. Birch Ave.
- Approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the design of the new hotel and parking garage, conditioned on a future approval of the Certificate of Economic Hardship and/or completion of a Temporary Delay of Demolition.
- Lauren Clementino presented the findings of the staff report.
- Kat Cuevas (Senior Interior Designer, Dwellings) and Jim O'Connell (President of Capri Flagstaff, property owner, and applicant) presented on the project.
- Commissioner questions were answered by Lauren Clementino, Kat Cuevas, Jim O'Connell, Michelle McNulty (Planning & Development Services Director), and Christina Rubalcava (Senior Assistant City Attorney).
- Public Comment was provided by:
- Michael Mongini provided comment as a past property owner in support of the project and described past building studies and renovation efforts.
- Gwen Groth provided comment in appreciation of the Commission and in opposition to the project, referencing a petition she is circulating, stating a dislike for the name of the proposed hotel, and encouraging incorporation of more of the historic building into the hotel design.
- Maury Herman provided comment as a neighboring property owner in support of the project overall but requesting design changes to activate the parking garage, broader public input, and possibly incorporating an Indigenous art gallery at the ground level.
- Phil Scandura provided comment thanking the Commission for its efforts and proposing preserving the existing building by swapping the hotel and parking structure locations so the parking garage can wrap around the historic structure and incorporate it into the project.
- Commissioners developed the following list of requested additional information regarding the design of the new hotel and parking garage buildings:
- As it relates to Design Guideline N2 of the Design Handbook for Downtown Flagstaff (New buildings should appear similar in mass and scale with historic structures in the area.), more information is requested to demonstrate that the proposed buildings are similar in mass and scale to the historic structures in the area.
- As it relates to Design Guideline N5 of the Design Handbook for Downtown Flagstaff (Use building materials that are similar to those employed historically for all major surfaces.), consideration of use of a greater proportion of malpais stone in the hotel design is requested, with a particular request to consider replacing the stucco or limestone tile on the columns with malpais stone.
- As it relates to potential impacts on the Integrity of the Downtown Historic Overlay Zone and Railroad Addition Historic District, consideration of the design's effect on Integrity of Feeling is requested. Use of a greater percentage of malpais stone was used as an example of a design modification that could address retention of Integrity of Feeling. Consideration of Integrity of Feeling as it relates to walkability, the pedestrian experience, and compatibility was requested.
Moved by Emily Dale, seconded by Alec Overmann to require a Certificate of Economic Hardship for the demolition of the existing building at 19 W. Birch Ave.
Vote: 5 - 0
Moved by Emily Dale, seconded by Alec Overmann to request additional information regarding the design of the new hotel and parking garage buildings on parcels 100-19-004A, 100-19-008A, and 100-19-007 as pertains to the list, as discussed on May 20th, 2026.
Vote: 5 - 0
7.
GENERAL BUSINESS
A.
Historic Signs and Facades Grant Tracking - May 2026 Update
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Discussion only.
- Lauren Clementino provided an update.
B.
Heritage Resources Map Starred Properties List
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Discussion only.
- Lauren Clementino provided an update.
C.
Commission Outreach and Education Program Discussion
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Discussion only.
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Discussion only.
Moved by Alec Overmann, seconded by Emily Dale to table Item 7C to the next Heritage Preservation Commission meeting.
Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously
8.
REPORTS
A.
APPROVALS
1.
102 E. Route 66 Certificate of No Effect
PROPERTY INFO:
FINDINGS:
The Certificate of No Effect application was reviewed and approved by the Heritage Preservation Officer.
INFORMATION:
This property is located within the Downtown Historic Overlay Zone and subject to its design guidelines for signs. The property is a contributor to the Railroad Addition Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The proposed sign plans, which are limited to a face change of an existing sign, were determined to conform to the design guidelines and meet the criteria for a Certificate of No Effect.
PROPERTY INFO:
Permit Number(s): PZ-26-00056, CC-26-00625
Address: 102 E. Route 66
Type of Approval: Certificate of No Effect
Approval Date: April 7, 2026
Address: 102 E. Route 66
Type of Approval: Certificate of No Effect
Approval Date: April 7, 2026
FINDINGS:
The Certificate of No Effect application was reviewed and approved by the Heritage Preservation Officer.
INFORMATION:
This property is located within the Downtown Historic Overlay Zone and subject to its design guidelines for signs. The property is a contributor to the Railroad Addition Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The proposed sign plans, which are limited to a face change of an existing sign, were determined to conform to the design guidelines and meet the criteria for a Certificate of No Effect.
- Lauren Clementino provided an update.
2.
123 W. Birch Ave. Ste. 104 Certificate of No Effect
PROPERTY INFO:
FINDINGS:
The Certificate of No Effect application was reviewed and approved by the Heritage Preservation Officer.
INFORMATION:
This property is located within the Downtown Historic Overlay Zone and subject to its design guidelines for signs. It is located outside of the Railroad Addition Historic District. The proposed sign plans were determined to conform to the design guidelines and meet the criteria for a Certificate of No Effect.
PROPERTY INFO:
Permit Number(s): PZ-26-00045, CC-26-00357
Address: 123 W. Birch Ave. Ste. 104
Type of Approval: Certificate of No Effect
Approval Date: April 7, 2026
Address: 123 W. Birch Ave. Ste. 104
Type of Approval: Certificate of No Effect
Approval Date: April 7, 2026
FINDINGS:
The Certificate of No Effect application was reviewed and approved by the Heritage Preservation Officer.
INFORMATION:
This property is located within the Downtown Historic Overlay Zone and subject to its design guidelines for signs. It is located outside of the Railroad Addition Historic District. The proposed sign plans were determined to conform to the design guidelines and meet the criteria for a Certificate of No Effect.
- Lauren Clementino provided an update.
3.
Hidden Haven Estates Subdivision Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study Resubmittal
PROPERTY INFO:
FINDINGS:
The updated Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study for the Hidden Haven Estates Subdivision was reviewed by the Heritage Preservation Officer and was determined to have met the conditions for resubmittal.
INFORMATION:
The Heritage Preservation Commission approved the Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study for the Hidden Haven Estates Subdivision on April 15, 2026,, with conditions to make changes to the study and resubmit to the Heritage Preservation Officer to approve changes made to the study administratively. The conditions were for all references to the buildings as Isolated Occurences (IO) in the Cultural Resources Inventory be globally changed or removed, leaving building evaluations only in the Built Environment Evaluation in the final submission and that the final submission be made a searchable document. Maps from the attached Appendix A of the Cultural Resource Inventory and Appendix B of the Built Environment Evaluation have been redacted to prevent disclosure of confidential site information.
PROPERTY INFO:
Permit Number(s): PZ-25-00087-03
Address: 4200 S. Lake Mary Road
Type of Approval: Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study
Approval Date: April 20, 2026
Address: 4200 S. Lake Mary Road
Type of Approval: Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study
Approval Date: April 20, 2026
FINDINGS:
The updated Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study for the Hidden Haven Estates Subdivision was reviewed by the Heritage Preservation Officer and was determined to have met the conditions for resubmittal.
INFORMATION:
The Heritage Preservation Commission approved the Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study for the Hidden Haven Estates Subdivision on April 15, 2026,, with conditions to make changes to the study and resubmit to the Heritage Preservation Officer to approve changes made to the study administratively. The conditions were for all references to the buildings as Isolated Occurences (IO) in the Cultural Resources Inventory be globally changed or removed, leaving building evaluations only in the Built Environment Evaluation in the final submission and that the final submission be made a searchable document. Maps from the attached Appendix A of the Cultural Resource Inventory and Appendix B of the Built Environment Evaluation have been redacted to prevent disclosure of confidential site information.
- Lauren Clementino provided an update.
4.
410 W. Cherry Ave. Certificate of No Effect
PROPERTY INFO:
Permit Number(s): PZ-26-00068
Address: 410 W. Cherry Ave.
Type of Approval: Certificate of No Effect
Approval Date: April 29, 2026
Address: 410 W. Cherry Ave.
Type of Approval: Certificate of No Effect
Approval Date: April 29, 2026
FINDINGS:
The Certificate of No Effect application for re-roofing was reviewed and approved by the Heritage Preservation Officer. Re-roofing is considered a minor alteration that has a limited impact in relation to the total cultural resource.
INFORMATION:
The project proposes to remove and replace roofing in-kind on the garage building. The garage building was constructed ca. 1960 and is located within the Townsite Historic Overlay Zone. The property is outside of the boundaries of the Flagstaff Townsite Historic Residential District (please note that the attached application mistakenly noted that it is within the district). The proposed project was determined to meet the criteria for a Certificate of No Effect.
- Lauren Clementino provided an update.
5.
520 S. Riordan Ranch St. Letter Report Cultural Resource Study
PROPERTY INFO:
Permit Number(s): PZ-19-00207-03
Address: 520 S. Riordan Ranch St.
Type of Approval: Letter Report Cultural Resource Study
Approval Date: May 5, 2026
Address: 520 S. Riordan Ranch St.
Type of Approval: Letter Report Cultural Resource Study
Approval Date: May 5, 2026
FINDINGS:
Report revisions reviewed and approved by the Heritage Preservation Officer. The Holy Trinity Newman Center building located at 520 S. Riordan Ranch St. was found not to be eligible for listing on the Flagstaff Register of Historic Places due to a lack of significance.
INFORMATION:
Historic Resources Group, Inc. conducted a Letter Report Cultural Resource Study of the Holy Trinity Newman Center building located at 520 S. Riordan Ranch St. ahead of the proposed demolition of the building. The building had not been previously studied and is not located within a historic district or historic overlay zone. The Letter Report was initially submitted for review by former Heritage Preservation Officer Mark Reavis in 2021. His conditions of approval for resubmittal of the Letter Report are included as an attachment, along with the applicant's response to comments and the revised report. The revisions and supplemental information provided were deemed to meet the previous conditions of approval for resubmittal.
- Lauren Clementino provided an update and answered Commissioner questions.
B.
CONSULTATIONS
1.
Phoenix Ave. Lampposts Update
PROPERTY INFO:
Address: Phoenix Ave.
FINDINGS:
Aan update on the Phoenix Ave. lampposts restoration/replacement project.
INFORMATION:
In October 2025, the City of Flagstaff's Public Works Streets concrete group worked on a concrete project to address a complaint and tripping hazard condition on the south side of Phoenix Ave., just west of Leroux St. While completing this work, four lampposts were inadvertently removed without prior Heritage Preservation approval. The four fixtures were removed and relocated to the core services yard, where they were assessed by Public Works staff and the Heritage Preservation Officer. The Heritage Preservation Officer communicated this information to the Commission via email, and subsequently worked with Public Works to find a resolution.
In April 2026, Public Works finished reinstalling the Phoenix Ave. lampposts. The two ornate lampposts with the gargoyles were restored by Artisan Metal Works. Repairs were made to the body of the lampposts, and new gargoyle wings were cast to replace missing features. Replicas of the two single-light lampposts were ordered and installed, as the repair of these lampposts was deemed not possible.
- Lauren Clementino provided an update.
9.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF
- Lauren Clementino provided an update on the Milligan House reroofing project.
- Sara Dechter (Comprehensive & Neighborhood Planning Manger) announced that results for the May 19, 2026 Special Election indicate that a majority of Flagstaff voters chose “Yes” on Question 492, ratifying the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045. Sara Dechter requested that Lauren Clementino provide an educational presentation on Historic Preservation in the Regional Plan to the Commission.
- Sara Dechter announced that she is leaving employment with the City of Flagstaff for a new position as the Planning Director at MountainLine and this is her last Commission meeting.
10.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Westheimer adjourned the meeting at 8:45 pm.
Chair Westheimer adjourned the meeting at 8:45 pm.