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Minutes 05-13-13 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 13, 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 Roger Cope, Vice Chair Preservation Planner Michele Dion Barbara Ready, Alternate Harvey Rosenblum, Alternate Eric Salomonsson Linda Stabile Robert Weiss Absent: Paul Gionfriddo 1. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Red, on Pedersen called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and declared a quorum was present. Mr. Rosenblum led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 2. Agenda Approval There were no changes to the agenda. Motion Mr. Salomonsson moved to approve the agenda and Ms. Dion seconded the motion that passed unanimously. 3. Approval of Minutes Mr. Adams requested the following changes be made: • Roger Cope was present and Eric Salomonsson was absent. It had been announced on Page 2 under Item 4 Communications and Announcements that Mr. Salomonsson would not be present. 1 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, FL May 13, 2013  Page 3, the fourth paragraph indicates Planning and Zoning Board that should be changed to Planning and Development Board  Page 4, third paragraph, at the end of the first sentence, it states, “staircases onsite” and should be “staircases inside”. Mr. Cope confirmed he did attend the last meeting even though the minutes indicate otherwise. Motion Mr. Cope moved to approve the minutes with changes and Mr. Salomonsson seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 4. Communications and Announcements Mr. Adams advised he had been contacted and the CLG Training would not be done at this meeting. It was requested it be done at the June meeting. He had been asked to give a talk at the Southeast Florida Archeological Society on October 19 in Martin County. He had been invited by one of the archeologists who had assisted at the Galaxy Scrub location. Mr. Adams had been notified that Paul Gionfriddo and Harvey Rosenblum would not apply for appointment to Board for a second term. He thanked both gentlemen for their assistance and help over the last year or more and their dedication and commitment to the preservation program. It would be Mr. Rosenblum’s last meeting. Mr. Gionfriddo was absent and would not be returning. 5. Old Business : A. Historic Preservation Program Update Mr. Adams reported work continued on the designation of the Barton Park Memorial Cemetery. Part of the Cemetery exists on land that had been platted as a road. Making that land part of the cemetery was an ongoing effort. There are two burials where the road is platted. It will never be made into a road and does not lead anywhere. Work had commenced on the designation of the Children’s Schoolhouse Museum. Several months ago, the Commission had approved moving forward on the designation of certain historic sites. The site is being designated and not the individual building. The redevelopment of the Old High School has brought about certain re-platting that has to be done. With that work underway, the work on the designation of the Museum can move on. One criterion for the designation is that the site be on the National 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, FL May 13, 2013 Register and the Museum already has that designation. He hoped it would be ready for review by the Board at the next meeting. With regard to the Master Site File, the survey work is ongoing and a layer has been created in the GIS system for the Florida Master Site File survey data. B. Boynton High School Redevelopment Update The certificate of appropriateness application was reviewed at the last meeting and amended plans had been submitted that addressed many of the comments of other departments upon review of the plans. Most of the conditions of approval still need to be addressed. Mr. Adams was working on a report for the Planning and Development Board meeting to complete another step in the process. C. Galaxy Scrub Archaeological Investigation Update A total of 24 tests were taken to a depth of three feet. The tests consistently showed only white sand. The test sites were mapped with GPS. A second test was done with hand augers to a depth of ten feet. Some changes in the soil were noted, but no artifacts were found. The search was for any possible signs of human habitation and none were found. It is a logical place where there would have been a settlement. The archeologists are almost certain there would be something perhaps much deeper. The archeologist would be moving to the former Girl Scout Park site owned by the City. If some signs of human habitation can be found, grants would be sought to place interpretative boards on the site and assist with any future use of the site. It will be easier since it is more open with less vegetation. D. CLG Grant Application Update Mr. Adams had again contacted the State for a status update. The grant was applied for to create a downtown heritage trail and a cemetery heritage trail including an online interactive map. The City was ranked few third out of all the applications. The State is not sure how much funding will be available. The problem is the next year's application period has begun. It is an unfortunate overlap in grant writing. If full funding were received from last year's application, the new application would cover something completely new or expand the online map and heritage trails with an audio type app for a phone. A shortage of funding from last year's application could be resubmitted in the new application. 6. New Business: A. Preservation Month May was National Preservation Month and a proclamation had been read at the last City 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, FL May 13, 2013 Commission meeting recognizing the event. It is the second year and adds more publicity for the preservation program. B. CLG Training The training would be rescheduled for the June meeting. It is free training for Board members, City employees or any other individuals who want to learn about CLG. The training would be in the form of a teleconference and questions can be asked. C. Proposed Conrad Pickel Exhibit and Lecture Conrad Pickel was a stained glass artist. He had lived in Leisureville. He built a show room on US 1, just north of the Woman’s Club. He had a couple other workshops/showrooms in the City. He designed stained glass and faceted glass for a number of churches in the City and some industrial units. His designs can be seen in hundreds of churches throughout the country and in almost every State. The Boynton Mausoleum includes one of his designs and the statue in the children’s section of the cemetery. His claim to fame was he designed the largest stain-glass window in the world recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records. After his passing, his son continued with his stained glass factory in the Vero Beach area. Staff had met with the son about honoring his father through a presentation of his father’s work, including a demonstration on how to make stained glass and faceted glass with a tour of the buildings in the area that include his work. It was decided to wait until next year to present a more impressive program and hopefully make it an annual project for National Preservation Month. It was suggested that a Preservation Award be established for the best project in the City. It was hoped that something could be designed for the award with plaques attached for every year. Mr. Adams had a presentation of some of Mr. Pickel’s creations. He is also known for submitting a plan to completely encase the water tower in Boynton Beach in stained glass. Mr. Adams was working with the Library and Ms. Coles-Dobay, Public Art Administrator, to bring a program to the City for next year. It would be a great way to honor Mr. Pickel and his creations. The time period involved would be 1970s through the 1990s in this area. He had been based up north coming from Germany and finally settled in Boynton Beach. D. Alterations to Accessory Structures and Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Eligibility Mr. Adams related a buyer of a potential historic home had contacted him about a home built in the1920s, Mediterranean revival style with a detached garage built in 1975. He was interested in converting the garage into living accommodations. The Planning Department agreed it would be okay as long as it did not include any cooking facilities. Mr. Adams questioned if the proposed alterations would be eligible for tax credits. He concluded the changes would not be added to the historic building so the tax incentives 4 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, FL May 13, 2013 could apply, but it would give tax incentives for a 1975 building. In response to an email he had sent to other CLGs, the responses varied greatly. His interpretation was the incentives are for the benefit of the historic building and to encourage people to retain historic buildings. He would allow the tax credits without attaching the garage to the building, to protect the integrity of the entire historic building. It shows the knowledge of the historic preservation program is increasing. Dr. Pedersen agreed with Mr. Adams’ interpretation because historic attributes from the original structure may be added to the garage to enhance the historical characteristics of the entire property. . E. Inlet Cove Neighborhood Association Newsletter Article The Inlet Cove Neighborhood Association had approached Mr. Adams to write an article for their newsletter relating to the preservation program. It was submitted and the article will be included in the next newsletter. He would email a copy to all the Board members. It was a positive indication that education regarding the program was being received and discussed throughout the community. There may be a few houses in the Inlet Cove neighborhood that would qualify for designation. Mr. Adams described the location of the Inlet Cove neighborhoods that comprised the Association. There are both new and old housing interspersed throughout the area. F. City of Boynton Beach Mission Statement/Goals & Objectives, Budget Year 2013 - 2014 For informational purposes, historic preservation is mentioned in several places in the mission statement and goals of the City of Boynton Beach. It included specific measurable points that would reveal the success of the program. Historic Preservation was being specifically mentioned throughout the statements. 7. Other Mr. Adams reiterated the next meeting would probably include the CLG education training, the designation of the Children’s Museum and election of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board. The terms are for a year and re-election is possible. Some of the terms of the members would be expiring and Mr. Adams reminded those members to re-submit an application for appointment to another three-year term. 8. Comments by members Ms. Ready pointed out the fate of the property at 211 Ocean Avenue may be discussed at the next Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board meeting. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued and responses received. All the information is in the backup materials for the meeting agenda. One proposal included the addition of live/work spaces and there was another proposal to add other live/work spaces at 5 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, FL May 13, 2013 another location. Mr. Adams noted the Magnuson House at 211 Ocean Avenue is on the Local Register and any exterior work would have to be reviewed by the Board. He would work with any applicants and submit his recommendation to the Board for their decision. Ms. Ready reported another response proposed a 150-seat restaurant. She wanted everyone to be aware of the proposals for a property that has already been designated as historic. Ms. Dion asked for an explanation of live/work space. Ms. Ready explained an individual lives at the site and has either a gallery or studio at the same location to conduct business. The proposal was submitted by an architect and the plans did not specify what further live/work space type businesses could utilize the space. Mr. Adams noted any developer may be interested in the ad valorem tax incentives to get as many benefits as they can from the designation. Mr. Weiss recalled reading that the CRA was offering a substantial financial incentive for the property to be purchased. 9. Public comments Gary Acquaviva, a middle school teacher, who taught computer science, was looking for a project for his students. He questioned if his students could get to a web site for them to read and perhaps add comments. His idea was to have the students make their own PowerPoint presentation and be creative about historic sites in Boynton Beach. Mr. Adams offered to give Mr. Acquaviva the brochures that had been distributed to educate the public about historic preservation. 10. Announce date of next meeting – June 10, 2013 Chair Pedersen indicated the next meeting would include the CLG training and would be a longer meeting. She asked the members be notified if the training would not be taking place so they could plan their schedule accordingly. 11. Adjournment There being nothing further to come before the Board, Chair Pedersen properly adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m. Judith A. Pyle, CMC Deputy City Clerk 6 Historic Resources Preservation Board May 13, 2013 L _.. Galaxy Scrub Test Pits 1