MINUTES
| HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2026 |
COUNCIL CHAMBERS 211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE 4:00 P.M. |
1.
Call to Order
- Chair, Duffie Westheimer called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
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).
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 JEANNE STEVENS CAITLIN STEWART |
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.
- Commissioner Jeanne Stevens read the Land Acknowledgment
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.
4.
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION PURPOSE
The purpose of the Heritage Preservation Commission is to protect and enhance the cultural, historical, and archaeological heritage of the City of Flagstaff by recognizing, preserving, enhancing, and perpetuating the use of those objects, structures, sites, and landscape features that represent distinctive elements of the City’s cultural, political, architectural, and archaeological history. The Council finds and intends that preservation of the City’s heritage is in the interest of the health, economic prosperity, education, cultural enrichment, and general welfare of the public. The Commission implements the City’s General Plan and is implemented pursuant to the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, the Certified Local Government program, and Arizona State Statute, providing the standards and procedures for heritage preservation.
- Vice Chair, Alec Overmann read the Heritage Preservation Commission Purpose
The purpose of the Heritage Preservation Commission is to protect and enhance the cultural, historical, and archaeological heritage of the City of Flagstaff by recognizing, preserving, enhancing, and perpetuating the use of those objects, structures, sites, and landscape features that represent distinctive elements of the City’s cultural, political, architectural, and archaeological history. The Council finds and intends that preservation of the City’s heritage is in the interest of the health, economic prosperity, education, cultural enrichment, and general welfare of the public. The Commission implements the City’s General Plan and is implemented pursuant to the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, the Certified Local Government program, and Arizona State Statute, providing the standards and procedures for heritage preservation.
5.
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.
- None
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.
6.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES for the regular meeting held August 19, 2026 - HPC Meeting Minutes August 19, 2026
Moved by Jeanne Stevens, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held August 19, 2026.
Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously
7.
PUBLIC HEARING
A.
820 N. Beaver St. Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study
PROPERTY INFORMATION:
REQUESTED ACTION:
Approve a Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study for the property at 820 N. Beaver St.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve a Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study for the property at 820 N. Beaver St.
PROPERTY INFORMATION:
Address: 820 N. Beaver St.
Assessor's Parcel Number: 101-04-020
Property Owner: Ian and Holly Hublitz
Applicant: Ian and Holly Hublitz
City Staff: Lauren Clementino, HPO
Assessor's Parcel Number: 101-04-020
Property Owner: Ian and Holly Hublitz
Applicant: Ian and Holly Hublitz
City Staff: Lauren Clementino, HPO
REQUESTED ACTION:
Approve a Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study for the property at 820 N. Beaver St.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve a Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study for the property at 820 N. Beaver St.
- Heritage Preservation Officer, Lauren Clementino, presented a Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study. Neither the applicant nor the report preparer were present. Lauren answered the commission's questions.
Moved by Caitlin Stewart, seconded by Jeanne Stevens the report be accepted on Lauren Clementino's approval with the following changes: eligibility on the local level needs to be addressed at minimum to the same extent as the national. Integrity and condition need to be differentiated where appropriate. The production of a searchable PDF for final delivery to the city.
Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously
B.
19 W. Birch Ave. Certificate of Appropriateness Conditions of Approval
PROPERTY INFORMATION:
REQUESTED ACTION:
Select a hotel design option to satisfy the previous condition of approval for the Certificate of Appropriateness.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Select a hotel design option to satisfy the previous condition of approval for the 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:
Select a hotel design option to satisfy the previous condition of approval for the Certificate of Appropriateness.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Select a hotel design option to satisfy the previous condition of approval for the Certificate of Appropriateness.
- Commissioner Caitlin Stewart recused herself from the current agenda item.
- Lauren Clementino provided an update.
- Tyler Mark, Vice President of Wespac and property owner representative, provided a presentation on the rendering changes asked for from the August 19 meeting. He addressed the commission's questions and concerns.
Moved by Alec Overmann, to approve the original hotel rendering with the lighter top trim and cornice.
Vote: 6 - 0
8.
GENERAL BUSINESS
A.
Public Safety Ballot Initiative Presentation
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Discussion only.
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Discussion only.
- A presentation on the upcoming ballot initiative for propositions 404 & 405 was given by the following city staff:
- Assistant City Manager - Shannon Anderson
- Fire Chief - Mark Gaillard
- Flagstaff Airport Director - Brian Gall
- Flagstaff Police Department - Deputy Chief Ryan Beckman
- Emergency Management - Daniel Kelly
B.
Historic Signs and Facades Grant Tracking - September 2026 Update
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Discussion only.
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Discussion only.
- Lauren provided an up to the Historic Signs and Facades Grant tracking. No new grants have been applied since the last meeting. A level 2 grant in the amount of $20,000 was awarded last month. There is currently $136,000 in grant funds available for this fiscal year.
C.
Commission Outreach and Education Program Discussion
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Discussion only.
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Discussion only.
- The Commission came to the consensus that the December meeting would be changed into a full-day retreat to focus on Commission Outreach and Education Programs. Lauren stated she would remove this item from the agenda for the next 2 meetings and schedule the retreat.
9.
REPORTS
A.
APPROVALS
1.
804 1/2 N. Leroux St. Letter Report Cultural Resource Study
PROPERTY INFO:
FINDINGS:
Report reviewed and approved by the Heritage Preservation Officer. The secondary structure located at 804 1/2 N. Leroux St. was determined not to be eligible for listing in the National, State, or Flagstaff Registers of Historic Places due to a lack of significance and integrity.
INFORMATION:
Cornerstone Environmental Consulting, LLC conducted a Letter Report Cultural Resource Study of the secondary structure located at 804 1/2 N. Leroux St. ahead of the proposed demolition of the building. The property is outside of any existing historic districts or overlay zones and had not been previously studied. The primary structure on the property is outside the scope of the proposed project.
PROPERTY INFO:
Permit Number(s): PZ-26-00135
Address: 804 1/2 N. Leroux St.
Type of Approval: Letter Report Cultural Resource Study
Approval Date: August 6, 2026
Address: 804 1/2 N. Leroux St.
Type of Approval: Letter Report Cultural Resource Study
Approval Date: August 6, 2026
FINDINGS:
Report reviewed and approved by the Heritage Preservation Officer. The secondary structure located at 804 1/2 N. Leroux St. was determined not to be eligible for listing in the National, State, or Flagstaff Registers of Historic Places due to a lack of significance and integrity.
INFORMATION:
Cornerstone Environmental Consulting, LLC conducted a Letter Report Cultural Resource Study of the secondary structure located at 804 1/2 N. Leroux St. ahead of the proposed demolition of the building. The property is outside of any existing historic districts or overlay zones and had not been previously studied. The primary structure on the property is outside the scope of the proposed project.
- Lauren Clementino provided the Commission an update
2.
811 W. Cherry Ave. Unit 1 Certificate of No Effect
PROPERTY INFO:
FINDINGS:
The Certificate of No Effect application for window replacement was reviewed and approved by the Heritage Preservation Officer.
INFORMATION:
The project proposes to remove and replace in-kind a single window on the second story of the building. This building was constructed in 1989 per the Coconino County Assessor and is located within the Townsite Historic Overlay Zone. The property is outside the boundaries of the Flagstaff Townsite Historic Residential District. The proposed project was determined to meet the criteria for a Certificate of No Effect.
PROPERTY INFO:
Permit Number(s): PZ-26-00139
Address: 811 W. Cherry Ave. Unit 1
Type of Approval: Certificate of No Effect
Approval Date: August 7, 2026
Address: 811 W. Cherry Ave. Unit 1
Type of Approval: Certificate of No Effect
Approval Date: August 7, 2026
FINDINGS:
The Certificate of No Effect application for window replacement was reviewed and approved by the Heritage Preservation Officer.
INFORMATION:
The project proposes to remove and replace in-kind a single window on the second story of the building. This building was constructed in 1989 per the Coconino County Assessor and is located within the Townsite Historic Overlay Zone. The property is outside the boundaries of the Flagstaff Townsite Historic Residential District. The proposed project was determined to meet the criteria for a Certificate of No Effect.
- Lauren Clementino provided the Commission an update.
10.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF
- Vice-Chair Overmann requested an agenda item on the proposed rule changes to Section 106 by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Lauren stated she would be happy to add a discussion item on where to obtain the information.
- Lauren Clementino announced she has moved into the Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Manager position and that she remains the Historic Preservation Officer. She will be hiring a new senior planner, who will focus on neighborhood planning.
- Lauren announced a certified local government grant was applied for, with a maximum award of $20,000, for updating our historic context, conduct new ones and possibly inventory.
- Lauren stated direction was being sought on the May-Hicks house relocation.
- Chair Duffie Westheimer asked for an agenda item to address consistency of code application.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
- The meeting was adjourned at 6:19pm