Agenda - View Meetings (All) (3862404978)

MINUTES

HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY
MAY 15, 2024

COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE
4:00 P.M.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact staff at 928-213-2611 (or 774-5281 TDD).
Notification at least 48 hours in advance will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements.

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).

Roll Call

NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means.

PRESENT:
EMILY DALE, CHAIR
SHELLI DEA, VICE CHAIR
ABBEY BUCKHAM
ALYCIA HAYES
AMY HORN
BERNADETTE BURCHAM
DUFFIE WESTHEIMER

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.

Amy Horn read the land acknowledgment.

Public Comment

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.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approve the minutes of the April 17, 2024 Heritage Preservation Commission meeting.

Michelle McNulty: Reminded that meeting minute clarifications need to be things that were discussed and not clarification based on technical knowledge after the fact.

Duffie Westheimer: Stated that the commentary on the Starlight Books building states "post-World War II," but it should be "pre-World War I".

Michelle McNulty: stated that we can look back and confirm what was said and that the meeting minutes will accurately reflect what was said.

Alycia Hayes: Asked if a note can be added somewhere if there is incorrect information discussed during the meeting.

Michelle McNulty: stated that she would discuss with the city clerks how to best clarify inaccuracies.

Abbey Buckham: pointed out that page six should say "beat" instead of "bead," page eight should say "blackout" instead of "blanking."

Moved by Abbey Buckham, seconded by Shelli Dea

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

PUBLIC HEARING

Giovale Home Improvement Project: Roof, Back-Porch, Yard

Address: 416 W Birch
Assessor's Parcel Number: 100-11-015A
Property Owner: Pete Giovale
Applicant: Kevin Peterson (Contractor) Paul Moore (Architect)
City Staff: Mark Reavis HPO

The applicant had requested a Certificate of No Effect for improvements to the back of the home, additional supplemental information was provided with improvements to the street facing façade required a “Certificate of Appropriateness” for the work is now the appropriate review as determined by the HPO.

Approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for 416 W Birch Ave with the condition to provide a roofing material that meets the US Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation or alternative material that meets the guidance of NPS Preservation Brief #16 to Heritage Preservation Officer approval.

The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) may:
(1) Approve per the staff recommended motion or
(2) The Commission could request modifications to the proposal and include them as conditions of approval, such as including a letter report prior to demolition – or –
(3)Continue the HPC review to a date certain and ask the applicant to come back with a modified proposal that meets those conditions – or -
(4) Deny Certificate of Appropriateness and require Certificate of Economic Hardship or submittal of an alternative design that meets all Townsite Overlay Requirements.

Mark Reavis: Explained the application that was originally for a Certificate of No Effect, but was then changed to a Certificate of Appropriateness. The home is contributing to the Townsite Historic District. It is in the Townsite Overlay. Recommended approving the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness.

The project presented two alternatives for metal roofing material which are more lineal than asphalt shingles you would typically see in Townsite. The home is a classic bungalow. Reiterated that the main concern is proposed roofing materials and how that will look on the home.

Paul Moore: Metal roof is being proposed to maintain a smaller and more consistent palate of materials across the entire project. There has also been some discussion about replacing the railing on the front porch with wrought iron, rather than wood.

Mark Reavis: Emphasized that this is an evolving project and there is room for guidance and changes regarding the future of the project.

Alycia Hayes: Asked if it is possible to conditionally approve the Certificate of Appropriateness under the agreement that Mark approves the roofing material.

Mark Reavis: Stated that it is possible, but he will have to stand by the preservation brief, appearance, and interpreting Townsite.

Shelli Dea: Is there a precedent set with other historic homes on using a new or metal roof?

Mark Reavis: We approved a grant for the CMU building which has a metal roof on it. This structure is non-contributing.

Shelli Dea: Explained that this is a topic that needs to be talked through thoroughly, because it will likely become more common.

Duffie Westheimer: There are already standing seam metal roofs in Townsite on historic buildings that were listed as contributing in 1985. Additionally, all of the neighborhood is in the historic district, not just some structures. Does not know how to deal with this because there are already metal roofs on structures in the neighborhood.

Duffie Westheimer: Asked for clarification on the fence in the front, specifically the height of it.

Mark Reavis: Stated that it has to meet zoning regulations. The height designation is three feet.

Duffie Westheimer: Pointed out that roofing materials are not mentioned in the standards of Townsite. Also, cannot think of any other projects that use river rock, though she does not have any problem with it.

Alycia Hayes: Asked if there are guidelines for roofing materials in the Secretary of Interior Standards?

Mark Reavis: Yes

Alycia Hayes: Then, could changing the materials potentially be an adverse effect?

Mark Reavis: A change of materials could be an adverse effect when you interpret the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation and Preservation Brief 16.

Alycia Hayes: If the homeowner received tax credits for the historic property, would the tax credit advantage be affected if they did an action which didn't follow the Secretary of Interior Standards?

Mark Reavis: It is not an income producing property, but if they were they would have to adhere to those standards.

Alycia Hayes: If they were to sell the property later on, would the buyer be unable to take advantage of the tax credit because a roof modification did not meet standards?

Mark Reavis: Believes this would not delist the property.

Amy Horn: Expressed that it seems like the project is attempting to match the house to the fence style instead of the fence to the historic home.

Duffie Westheimer: There are other corrugated roofs but they are not on primary dwellings.

Pete Giovale: Stated that they looked at using fake shakes, but they are very expensive and do no last long. The house has been modified frequently. The brick is not original. The garage is not original. The goal is to reflect the craftsman and bungalow style with a good design and low maintenance.

Duffie Westheimer: Many of the people who own homes in Townsite are not wealthy, so we need to be thoughtful about setting a precedent that people cannot meet.

Emily Dale: Asked what material Mark Reavis would recommend.

Mark Reavis: Suggested metal roofing that simulates the appearance of shingles.

Emily Dale: Asked for additional details as to why the homeowner went with this particular design.

Paul Moore: One reason is rainwater catchment, fire safety, and there is still the preference to maintain the historic quality too. Another thought was to find a material that worked for both the house and the fence, not necessarily one before the other.

Sarah Wagner: Is curious if a metal roof is more capable of protecting the structure overall than roofing made from other materials.

Shelli Dea: Expressed a desire to offer something better to the homeowner, not going for a lesser option or an extremely expensive one.

Emily Dale: Is not opposed to metal roofing but feels that it should look similar to what is shown in historic photos.

Amy Horn: Asked for further clarification from Mark Reavis about whether or not metal roofs offer additional protection.

Mark Reavis: You can create more of a venting roof that is more energy efficient.

Duffie Westheimer: Suggested that a variation of standing seem that is lower and spaced farther apart could be a good compromise. This would produce fewer shadows.

Paul Moore: There are definitely different varieties of metal roofing with different profiles, but am not sure of their specific applicabilities and costs.

Emily Dale: Asked if the roof is in immediate need of replacement.

Pete Giovale: The roof is at the end of its lifetime and have had to do spot repairs over the past year to maintain it. It should be replaced this year.

Alycia Hayes: Asked if there is a style of metal roof that would be more appropriate.

Mark Reavis: Standing seam would be more appropriate than corrugated.

Moved by Shelli Dea, seconded by Bernadette Burcham To approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for 416 W Birch Avenue with the condition to provide a roofing material that meets the US Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation for alternative material that meets the guidance of NPS Preservation Brief 16 and Heritage Preservation Officer approval.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

GENERAL BUSINESS

Flagstaff New Logo Project Summary
The Communication & Civic Engagement Department would like to invite a representative from the Heritage Preservation Commission to design a new logo for the City. The group will meet regularly starting this summer through next year to review design concepts and provide feedback.

Chris Rhode: Explained that the Public Affairs Division at the City of Flagstaff made a recommendation to City Council last month that the city partners with the NAU Visual Design Lab to create a new City of Flagstaff logo. They are now reaching out to this commission and others to see if there is interest in having a representative in the working group.

Emily Dale: Asked for additional information about why there is a desire to change the logo.

Chris Rhode: The current logo works better as a city seal than a city logo due to its complexity and intricate details. There is a need for a logo that can be used more easily in different formats. There are likely additional reasons, but would need to ask Vice Mayor Aslan who had the idea.

Duffie Westheimer: Requested that the project uses other methods of collecting public feedback than only online responses.

Amy Horn: Asked if there is any evidence of a logo that existed prior to the current one.

Chris Rhode: Explained that a member of the public saw that the project was ongoing and sent in newspaper clippings from the 1960s that detailed a public process run by the Chamber of Commerce to redesign the logo from its previous iteration to the current one.

Emily Dale: Asked if this is within the scope of what the heritage should have a say in or would like to have a say in.

Bernadette Burcham: Feels that it is necessary to have a say to maintain some type of historical integrity regarding what Flagstaff was.

Alycia Hayes: Thinks the HPC should have someone on there and is interested in participating.

Amy Horn: Agrees that it is necessary but is not interested in participating.

Abbey Buckham: Asked if there are additional details on when meetings for the group will occur.

Chris Rhode: Meetings in one month intervals was chosen because the NAU Visual Design Lab indicated that that is the frequency in which they would like to receive feedback. Meeting times will be established based on the availability of the working group and the NAU Visual Design Lab.

Shelli Dea: Noted that it would be beneficial if the working group did additional research on the existing seal, particularly the Magnus family, as it seems they still have a presence in the area.

Chris Rhode: Explained that he will be following up on these details in hopes of learning more about the seal.

Emily Dale: Indicated that Commissioner Hayes and Chris Rhode will be in contact about participation in the working group without a formal motion.

Post WWII Production Housing Definition

Type: HPC request for definition

Mark Reavis: Believes the Post-World War II Production Housing encompasses one decade following World War II in which they were building for people coming back from the war. The architectural style of this time is Mid-Century Modern and was prevalent from 1945 - 1955. Expressed that these types of housing are important, but will not necessarily always require a Cultural Resource Study, which is up to the discretion of the Heritage Preservation Officer.

Duffie Westheimer: Stated that the definition is great. Followed up by asking where Letter Reports fit in, as they are much less expensive than Cultural Resource Studies.

Mark Reavis: Even though we call them letter reports, they still fall under Cultural Resource Studies. These are still quite expensive because a professional and qualified historian does them.

Emily Dale: Asked about the potential future ramifications of designating these types of homes and non-contributing or non-significant. Thinks there's a balnace between a full investigation of the housing and acknowledging that it is historic.

Mark Reavis: It would be difficult to do a listing of a Post-World War II house, but it would be possible to put something together that would make it a historic district.

Duffie Westheimer: Based on her research, the Flagstaff population in 1940 was 5,100. The Ordinance Depot closed in 1946. According to John Westerlund who wrote in Arizona's War Town, many people came to Flagstaff from other places to work at the depot. When the depot closed, people wanted to stay in Flagstaff, and so there was a housing shortage. That is when Coconino Estates and Cherry Hill were built out. By 1950, the population was 6,800. At that time veterans were returning and attending Arizona State College. The college continued to grow and add majors. By 1960, the population was 18,200, so there was definitely a population boom following World War II.

Mark Reavis: Feels that the definition is very limited to what you would recognize based on early pictures in places like California that have far more identical housing types compared to the level of customization you see in Flagstaff.

Alycia Hayes: Noted that this production housing does have identifying characteristics, even if they are not outstanding for craftsmanship or design. Also noted that the presence of Post-World War II production housing in the Flagstaff code makes it inconsistent with the National Historic Preservation Act.

Amy Horn: Asked Mark Reavis if he feels that if that reason for omitting a Cultural Resource Study did not exist that the other criteria would be sufficient to make a determination on these types of homes.

Mark Reavis: Feels that he would not dismiss something that has integrity and potential.

Sara Dechter: Stated that the Post-World War II was specifically added based on public comment at the time that the ordinance was adopted. In 2006, it was an amendment adopted by council because they did not want those homes to be looked at in the way other properties were. She thinks that was based on homeowners who worried about how the 50 years would evolve over time and affect their ability to maintain their single family homes.

Duffie Westheimer: stated that it is the role of the HPC to educate those who may not realize the significance of different areas.

Bernadette Burcham: Considering Sara Dechter's comments, she understands how there could be mixed feelings based on her own experience growing up in Coconino Estates and her Father's desire to continually renovate his home.

Duffie Westheimer: Thinks this is why education is essential, along with writing standards and guidelines that fit the area and the people's desires.

Amy Horn: Wanted to make one final comment regarding heritage preservation and the national register predominantly preserving examples of fine craftsmanship, Euro-American design, Euro-American designers, architects, and craftsmen. Feels that is important to think about the stories that are being preserved, not just the building.

REPORTS

APPROVALS

Juniper Point applications

Permit Number(s): PZ-23-00208 and related applications
Address: 1700 E JOHN WESLEY POWELL BLVD
Type of Approval: Zoning Map Amendment and Plats
Approval Date: 4/23/24

Sara Dechter: Explained that there are new Juniper Point applications. This is an area that previously had a cultural resource study that was approved, and that approval still stands. We are simply providing comments to the applicants regarding things like grading, clearing land, and digging foundations.

1926 E Route 66 Regrade Letter Report

Permit Number(s): PZ-24-00073
Address: 1926 E Route 66
Type of Approval: CRS Letter Report
Approval Date: 4/229/24

Sara Dechter: Explained there are 10 parcels along Route 66 between PPF Painting Company and the hotel. In this area there is a red rock formation that drops rocks into the sidewalk and bike lane, posing a public hazard. The property owner has submitted a letter report to take that entire set of properties down to grade. They are not protected by the Resource Protection Overlay. That letter report is approved with the conditions that the property owner is monitoring and following proper procedures.

Fairchild Door Removal

Permit Number(s): PZ-24- 00071
Address: 618 W Cherry Ave
Type of Approval: Certificate of No Effect
Approval Date: 4/23/2024

Sara Dechter: Explained that this house is unusual in that it has multiple front doors. This approval is for the door that faces the driveway and leads into an office space. They will replace the door with similar materials to the rest of the house.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS

Michelle McNulty: Explained that several people have signed up for the steering committee. Abbey has signed up for May 7 and June 18. Commissioner Dale has signed up for May 22 and August 27. There are still a few dates left if anyone wants to attend the Regional Plan Steering Committee. The committee then signed up for various dates in order to have representation at every steering committee meeting.

Michelle McNulty: Notified that the June HPC meeting will be cancelled for Juneteenth.

Emily Dale: Stated that she will be unavailable for the July HPC meeting.

Abbey Buckham: Summarized a May 7 meeting regarding social and economic systems that focused primarily on housing development and food security. Asked for clarification on if Michelle would be talking to them about zoning codes.

Michelle McNulty: Said that she will be attending the May 22 meeting.

Abbey Buckham: Explained that it seems like they are very eager to get that information. Also commented on the need for multifamily housing and the HPC's role in that process.

10.

ADJOURNMENT

CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF NOTICE

The undersigned hereby certifies that a copy of the foregoing notice was duly posted at Flagstaff City Hall on , at a.m./p.m. This notice has been posted on the City's website and can be downloaded at www.flagstaff.az.gov.

Dated this day of , 2024.

__________________________________________
Sara Dechter, Comprehensive Planning Manager