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Minutes 08-07-23 Minutes of the Historic Resources Preservation Board Meeting Held on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers 100 E. Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida Present: Barbara Ready, Chair Dr. Ben Lowe Jae Eun Kim, Principal Planner Michael Wilson Craig Pinder, Planner II Victor Norfus Absent: Rhonda Sexton 1. Call to Order Chair Ready called the meeting to order at 6:45 P.M. 2. Agenda Approval Motion Mr. Wilson moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Norfus seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Approval of Minutes A. Approval of Minutes Approve the minutes from the April 10, 2023, Historic Resources Preservation Board meeting Dr. Lowe noted a mistake on page 5, the first paragraph, third line, " . . . a few FAU students living in Boynton Beach that would like an to intern in the fall." Motion Mr. Norfus moved to approve, as amended. Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Communications and Announcements A. Naming a City Park (Parcel # 08434521210000220) Provide email responses from the Departments of the subject park to the Board Chair Ready asked if Mr. Norfus had a recommendation for the name of the park, which is part of the Greenway. Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 7, 2023 Mr. Norfus suggested naming it Missionary Hope Park. He gave a brief history of the area, just north of the park on the corner. Jae Eun Kim, Principal Planner, said that the Park will likely be used for utility purposes. The fence is there for security, safety, is monitored and that the lock is controlled by a Park Ranger and patrolled by the Police Department. She said that based on a discussion with Franky Lazo, Assistant Recreation and Parks Director, naming the park needs to be discussed with the City Manager Team and then sent to the City Commission. Chair Ready stated that they should submit a report about the property's history. Ms. Kim responded that once staff receives it, they can forward it to Parks and Recreation. Mr. Norfus said that he will participate in the discussion. He noted that sometimes the park is open to the public and sometimes it is not. Ms. Kim requested that Mr. Norfus email her the information. It was noted that people want to enter the park to access the trail. Discussion ensued that it is a dual-use park and the park is closed at night so people do not congregate. Ms. Kim said that she will contact Mr. Lazo and Mr. Norfus and set up an on-site meeting. Chair Ready requested that Mr. Norfus report back to the Board and the Board will endorse the recommendation. B. 306 SE 1 Avenue aka Edith Andrews House Discussion of the draft historic designation report regarding the Edith Andrews House located at 306 SE 1 st Avenue, Boynton Beach. Ms. Kim stated that they received a report from Warren Adams, Historic Resource Preservation Consultant. She explained that this report was based solely on the exterior and said that staff met with the property owner last week and they will provide interior photos to share with Mr. Adams, so that he can update his report. She said that once updated, staff will bring the report before the Board. David Milledge stated that the property owners think the structure may have the opportunity to be designated, but they do believe it would not qualify based on the City's Code. He said that tThey would seek funding from the City to move the home, and they will work with staff related to the details and the options of the move. He stated that the structure would be relocated to the northeast corner of Ocean and SE 3rd He explained that as part of the relocation, the owner would like to continue to use the structure for a non-residential use, and bring it up to commercial standards. He said that if the City believes the home is a cultural asset, they should pay for the move. He referenced City Code Section 6.13.2 and read "Structures that have been moved from their original locations, shall not 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 7, 2023 be considered eligible for designation." He noted that the structure was moved in 1998. He said that there are a few criteria that the home may to qualify for designation, but based on Sections A-G, their analysis shows it still would not qualify. Dr. Lowe asked about the structure's future use. Mr. Milledge said that it could be general office, or retail. He stated that it was used briefly as a museum, but he clarified that the owner would be looking to use it for non-residential purposes. Dr. Lowe asked once moved, if it would be brought up to Building Code. Mr. Milledge responded that it would. He said that the structural integrity of the home is unknown and that the building's exterior, for the most part, has all been.replaced. He explained that the interior of the home underwent a renovation in approximately 2000, and they went all the way down to the frame, so they do not know what historical significance was left after that. He commented that whatever was salvageable, such as Dade Pine, was kept, and that they sought more Dade Pine to replace what was deteriorated. Dr. Lowe requested confirmation that the home would keep its historic character, and said that hopefully, the home would be designated. Mr. Milledge said that they would not know what the inside looks like until the expert sees if it could be moved. He said that his visual inspection showed a lot of dry rot, that the roof was caving in on the north elevation, and there were issues with siding on the west elevation. Dr. Lowe asked if there was some kind of agreement that the owner could make with the City, that they would not demolish the structure, and allow for a period of time in order to allow for designation. Mr. Milledge commented that there is a section in the Code that refers to how to, once a designation is made, remove it, but the applicant would have to follow that procedure. Chair Ready inquired if the developer intends to leave the fourplex at its current location. Mr. Milledge stated that he did not know if the developer submitted a site plan for south and north Ocean. He said that they would love to be able to move it. He noted that the property owner has multiple lots and owns everything north and south of Ocean, between the railroad tracks and 3rd. 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 7, 2023 There was discussion regarding the following: the fourplex; replacement wood; the building's exterior; and changes to the building. Dr. Lowe noted that Mr. Adams thought it met the criteria and recommended designation based on history of the building. He recommended if moved, it have a public use as the history should be celebrated and the public be allowed to interact with the building. He said that it is the oldest building in the City. Chair Ready agreed that this is one of the last surviving early structures in the City. She shared that the wood from the sunken ship, the "Coquimbo" was salvaged from the ship and is in that house. She thought there would be a better place to move the building. Mr. Milledge explained that the developer wants to move the structure because it will interfere with future redevelopment. Chair Ready stated that the plan that was approved would curl around the building, which would remain in the same spot. She said that she thought that there may be a closer spot to move the home to. Mr. Milledge said that he can speak to the owner. Mr. Wilson suggested moving the home to the property next to the Magnuson House, to keep historic structures together. Chair Ready stated that the Board is willing to talk, as the structure is important to the City. Mr. Milledge commented that there may be funds available for the move through the State or through Tax Increment Financing. They are exploring options and opportunities. Mr. Milledge stated that they have to really look to see if it is viable to move it. Chair Ready said that the building is currently undergoing demolition by neglect. Mr. Milledge stated that the property owner will bring their own expert regarding if the structure could be moved, likely within the next few weeks. He reported that Mr. Adams will review the inside and that the last time it was moved, it was only moved 37 feet. Chair Ready suggested continuing discussions. Mr. Milledge advised that they are still fact finding. Mr. Norfus pointed out that this is the only intact structure people lived in, that had wood from the Coquimbo. 4 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 7, 2023 5. Old Business Ms. Kim announced that the property at 413 NE 12th Avenue was approved by the City Commission on June 6, 2023, that the property is on the local designation map and that the City website is being updated. 6. New Business Ms. Kim advised that she emailed information that can be used to prepare the annual report to the City Commission about the Board's activities. She requested that the members let staff know if they need any additional information. She stated that the next meeting will be October 2, 2023, and she distributed initiatives, which were discussed by the Board in the past. Dr. Lowe asked how staff thinks they could move the initiatives forward when the Board repeatedly has said that they need a full-time Historic Preservation Planner, and that he requested that they prioritize that. He said that he heard rumors that there are funds in the budget. He requested staff provide more detail about the initiatives, who put them together, how the Board can accomplish them and how they can get a Planner. Ms. Kim responded that it was her understanding that the City is not planning to add a specialized or Historic Planner, that it was not something they were aware of, nor was it something that the Development Department has planned to do. Chair Ready announced that she will attend the City Commission Meeting and she requested that the Board Members attend as well. She said that they would tell the City Commission how they formed the Historic Resources Preservation Board, and talk about what they have done. She mentioned that they will discuss the map and she commented that she would like to see photos of the homes. She provided her list of accomplishments and prioritized her wish list with what they would be able to do, if they had a planner. She suggested having a spreadsheet with a to do list, identifying projects, who they need to do it, the cost, and the timeframe be used. She said that past brochures were already done, noting they were educational, detailing the various types of homes there are, and procedures how to achieve designation. Ms. Kim stated that she will email the prior brochures to the members. Chair Ready noted that they can do a lot of things in conjunction with the Historical Society, such as tours, walks, oral histories and there is a member working on a Centennial Book. Mr. Norfus suggested now that they have a list of designated homes, the Board can contact owners of the properties indicating the Board is collecting oral histories about the properties and if they have any information about the former occupants, to contact them. Chair Ready also said that she spoke to Andrew Mack, Deputy City Manager, about the Rosenwald Plaque and announced that they can buy two more plaques with funds from the Historical Society for the Old High School and Schoolhouse Children's Museum, but they need a planner for the wording on them. She said that they should improve communication and 5 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 7, 2023 awareness of historic sites and let the City Commission know they need funds to buy medallions for the homes on the Register. Discussion ensued about an ordinance that would prohibit property owners from demolishing structures without a new plan in place and that people are demolishing historic structures. They gave an example of when the Gables heard about a possible Historic Preservation Plan and then it was demolished. Chair Ready commented that if they had a planner, they could slow down demolition and document it with photographs, if it was in the Code. Ms. Kim said that she will review. Chair Ready stated that they want to replace faded/outdated QR Codes, and the stanchions. She said that the bell from the Coquimbo was put in a safe place, which is at Public Works, although it was supposed to be on display. Mr. Norfus suggested displaying the bell by the Cultural Center or by the Old High School. Chair Ready reviewed the rest of her list, including obtaining a planner to maintain the City's CLG status, survey updates, FAU Interns, Black History, and others. She noted that in order to maintain CLG Status, they need a planner, the websites, and artists such as Conrad Pickel and Bernard Thomas who need to be recognized. Ms. Kim explained that currently the Code requires quarterly reports, but is now once a year, and the team has been updating the CLG reports and forwarding them to the State. Chair Ready requested the members receive a copy of the report Ms. Kim said that she would send a copy to the members and that she will ensure Information on the Historic Resource Preservation Board will be linked on the website. Dr. Lowe suggested having a title on the website called "History." He said that he did not think Historic Preservation should be listed under Business. He noted that most City websites have a section on the City's history. 7. Other 8. Comments by Board Members Mr. Norfus requested receiving a status of the Andrews House roof. 9. Public Comments Relative to Historic Preservation 10. Announce Date of Next Meeting 6 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 7, 2023 11. Adjournment Motion Dr. Lowe moved to adjourn. Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 P.M. y U rr11/` Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 7