Loading...
Minutes 03-11-13 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2013, AT 6:30 PM, IN CITY HALL CHAMBERS 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Dr. Ginger Pedersen, Chair Warren Adams, Historic Resource Michelle Dion Preservation Planner Paul Gionfriddo Eric Salomonsson Linda Stabile Robert Weiss Barbara Ready, Alternate Harvey Rosenblum, Alternate ABSENT: Roger Cope, Vice Chair 1. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Pedersen welcomed all to the meeting and called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Rosenblum led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 2. Agenda Approval Mr. Adams requested to add an item to the agenda under 6. New Business, D. Approval of Certificate of Appropriateness Application Form Motion Ms. Ready moved to approve the amended agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Salomonsson and unanimously passed. 3. Approval of Minutes Warren Adams, Historic Preservation Planner advised there were no minutes available to approve. They would be approved at the next meeting. 4. Communications and Announcements Mr. Adams announced he attended the Woman's Club open house to promote the Historic Preservation Program. He spoke with a number of City residents who were interested in the program and also a couple of homeowners who would be interested in designating their property. Chair Pedersen commented that she was also in attendance and thought the turnout was excellent. Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, FL March 11, 2013 Mr. Adams added that the Boynton Woman's Club presentation on Japanese culture would take place on Thursday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. This would include a lecture about the 2011 Tsunami and its continuing effects on the country. There would also be brief demonstrations on several forms of Japanese arts, including calligraphy and a brief lesson on how to speak Japanese. 5. Old Business: A. Update on the progress of the Historic Preservation Program Mr. Adams advised it was still unknown what level of funding would be awarded from the small matching grant for the downtown Heritage Trail Mr. Adams advised that he had reached out to a couple of architects regarding the Womens Circle building on 918 SE 4 Street. One of the architects indicated he loved the building and was also a member of the Land Trust. Mr. Adams indicated he would try to keep the property in Boynton Beach, although it could not be guaranteed. The Womens Circle indicated they would like the building demolished before next year but Mr Adams felt that there was a minimum of six months before anything would need to be done B. Galaxy Scrub Archaeological Investigation Mr. Adams returned to the site with the archeologist who was going to help with the testing. Hopefully, this can be started within the next couple of weeks. Depending upon what was found would determine how to move forward with the interpretation of the site or applying for grants. There would be some non - native species being cleared out from the site. Mr. Adams commented he would observe the clearing in case it pulls up any archeological finds. C. Barton Memorial Park Cemetery Mr Adams had completed further research to find out who had been buried at the Cemetery. However, the three lists contain a variety of names and because there was no plot layout, it was very difficult to determine who is buried there. There are approximately ten names that appear in the three lists, which could be safely assumed that those ten people are buried there. He met with Dr. Martha Meeks -Light who lives in the Boynton Hills neighborhood. The City Commission gave its approval to designate the Cemetery and before designating it, Mr. Adams commented he wanted to get as much information as possible. Dr. Meeks -Light has family buried in the Cemetery and she seems to know everyone in the neighborhood. If she does not know who is buried there, she would know the family of who was buried there. She had a copy of the lists and would try and speak to the families to narrow it down as to who was buried there. She said the neighborhood was very keen on seeing the Cemetery designated but not seeing a fence around it. There was some thought to possibly erecting a monument in 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, FL March 11, 2013 the future with the names of the ones definitely buried there. Mr. Adams advised he began working on the designation application. However, there was a slight problem. The land the cemetery is on was quit claimed back to the City from the Department of Transportation after 1 -95 was built. However, the land to the extreme east of the Cemetery was actually owned by the City and that had been platted for the continuation of 5th Street. As a result, the Cemetery was actually two pieces of property and at least two grave markers are on the land that was on the land platted for the extension of the road. He would have to get a use permit prior to designating the site which would enable designation of the whole thing, not just a part of it. D. Historic Site Markers Mr. Adams reminded the Board that at the last meeting, there was discussion regarding assisting in the financing of the markers and allowing the owners to install them. There was a concern that the markers would be installed in different ways and he would prefer continuity to prevent some from being screwed to the walls of the house, some in the posts in the ground, and some on boundary walls. It was suggested that the markers contain only the date the house was built because if anyone does not have a boundary wall, the marker would be put on the wall of the house and much of the wording would not be able to be read. Mr. Adams had seen several samples of different markers and there was discussion that possibly if there were just a number on the marker, it could be mistaken as the house number. Ms. Ready suggested looking at the medallions that are on the front of the high school as a possibility to use as a logo for the markers. 6. New Business A. 324 NE 12 Avenue Demolition Mr. Adams advised he received an application to tear the building down. Anything over 50 years old, he would be informed of the demolition. The building was built around 1956 and was fire damaged. There was no architectural or historical significance. He signed off on the demolition application. B. Ruth Jones Cottage Infill Design Award Application Mr. Adams commented the Ruth Jones Cottage and the CRA are submitting an application to the Florida Trust for an in -fill design award. The Cottage was now the Little House Restaurant. The building has been amended quite a bit but an application was still submitted for the good in -fill design. A prime piece of land was taken from an important place and something constructive was being done with it. The building was adapted quite a bit to relocate and reuse it, which was a good example of an in -fill design. The CRA had asked this Board for a letter of support. The winner would be announced at the Florida Trust Convention. 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, FL March 11, 2013 Motion Ms. Stabile moved to support sending Warren Adams to the Florida Trust Convention. Mr. Salomonsson seconded the motion that unanimously passed. C. Introduction to the Boynton High School Redevelopment Mr. Adams did not have much new to report. The High School was designated last month and the City Commission supported it. The building was now in a register of historic places. The High School had been vacant for a number of years because there was not anyone who could devise a plan to create a valid reuse for it. Last year, the City sent out RFP's to interested parties who would want to take on the development and after receiving no responses, reached out to a couple of developers to ask if they would be interested. There is currently a development proposal on the table for the High School and ultimately the City would transfer ownership of the building to the developer if a the timetable was met. The timetable includes site plan submission, and organizing funding and financing. Once the City knows that the project would move forward, they would transfer ownership to the developer. The development proposal was to convert the building into a multi -use facility, including event space on the second floor in the gymnasium, restaurants, retail units and a green market. The developer has been keeping up with the timelines set and the proposed site plan had been received. There are certain steps in the process for it to be reviewed by various City departments. One of the reviews would be done by the Board at the April meeting. A packet with all the details would be submitted via email to the Board members before the meeting for review ahead of time. There would very likely be a change in windows, additions to the building and a number of other repairs and alternations to allow it to conform to the new use. D. Approval of Certificate of Appropriateness Application Form Mr. Adams advised that before the Board could move ahead with the COA application, the developer must submit a COA application. He created an application that was based on what other cities use. To keep the timeline short, rather than have the developer submit numerous new plans, Mr. Adams would get copies that were submitted to the Planning Department which would keep things moving along. He requested the Board approve the application form. He reviewed the form with the Board. There was discussion among the Board members on what would be allowed and not allowed as far as changes to a property. Motion Mr. Salmonsson moved to approve the form and allow minor changes as necessary. The motion was seconded by Ms. Stabile and unanimously approved. 4 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, FL March 11, 2013 7. Other None. 8. Comments by members Chair Pedersen noted that on March 27 she would be leading a moonlight tour of Woodlawn Cemetery highlighting 22 of the earliest pioneers that were instrumental in the founding of West Palm Beach and the County. The tour begins at 8 p.m. A $5.00 donation would go towards the preservation of the Cemetery. 9. Public comments None 10. Announce date of next meeting — April 8, 2013 11. Adjournment Motion There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was properly adjourned at adjourned at 7:16 p.m. / Ellie Caruso Recording Secretary 5