Loading...
Minutes 03-10-14 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 100 E. BOYONTON BEACH BLVD., BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2014 AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: Roger Cope, Chair Warren Adams, Historic Preservation Planner Michelle Dion, Vice Chair Ginger Pedersen Eric Salomonsson Linda Stabile Robert Weiss Susan Oyer, Alternate ABSENT: Jason Shaffer Barbara Ready, Alternate 1. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Cope called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Ms. Pedersen led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. 2. Agenda Approval There were no changes to the agenda. 3. Approval of Minutes from February 10, 2014 Mr. Adams had the following corrections: Item 5B should read NE 3 rd Street should be corrected to read NE 4 th Street Item 5D Minister Bernard White should be corrected to read Minister Bernard Wright Page 3, Item 5E, second paragraph should read, "should the transfer" instead of "should the sale" Motion Ms. Oyer moved to approve the amended minutes. Ms. Pedersen seconded the motion that passed unanimously. 1 MEETING MINUTES HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL. MARCH 10, 2014 4. Communications and Announcements Mr. Adams announced Ms. Ready contacted him to say she would not be attending the meeting. Mr. Adams reported attending the South Lake Worth Inlet historical marker unveiling ceremony on February 18 ". It was very well attended and congratulations go out to Ms. Pedersen and Ms. DeVries for the work put into the event. Ms. Pedersen commented it was a very nice event. Some people have questioned why the name is not Boynton Inlet instead of South Lake Worth. The official name is South Lake Worth Inlet. There were a few Model -T cars and people in period costume along with a singing group. The video has been edited it will be on the County channel. 5. Old Business A. Celebration of Conrad Pickel Mr. Adams stated the event is moving forward. Ms. DeVries prepared the draft of her talk and Paul Pickel is preparing his items for the exhibit He is framing certain pieces and building light boxes for some of the stained glass exhibits. Work on the publicity material will begin shortly B. Heritage Trail Signs, Brochures and Online Content In regards to the Heritage Trail signs, brochures and online content, Mr. Adams submitted the second period grant report to the State and everything has been approved. The draft Heritage Trail signs have been reviewed by the State and they are asking for a few minor changes. They wanted clarification that it is in fact "Intracoastal" and not "Intercoastal ". They also wanted verification that the Woman's Club is called the "Woman's Club" with an "a" and not the "Women's Club" with an "e ". Those were the only questions they had. They also indicated they wanted more historical information on the sign at the Pete's Pond area. The draft of the cemetery Heritage Trail brochure was sent out for review. Mr. Sweeney from ITS got back to Mr. Adams and felt there should be more space for content and the maps should be smaller. The State felt there should be a map showing where all the cemeteries are in relation to each other to show that it is a trail. Ms. Oyer also contacted Mr. Adams to suggest the earliest burial date in Boynton Beach Memorial Park should be indicated. The State also asked the intention of the brochures in regards to the signs and the online content. Mr. Adams original intent was to just let people know the trail existed and give brief information along with the QR code so people could scan the code or 2 MEETING MINUTES HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL. MARCH 10, 2014 read the signs for more detailed information He did not want to put the same information in the brochures, the signs and the website. Mr. Sweeney raised the point not everyone has a smart phone. Mr. Adams reiterated the brochure was more for advertising the trail rather than giving educational information. He asked for suggestions from the Board as to what the members would like to see. Mr. Weiss commented some people are more visual and a map indicating the three cemeteries may attract their attention. Ms. Oyer inquired if the QR codes will have a map showing all the sites. Mr. Adams responded the website will be designed to have a QR code for each of the 12 signs and each QR code will be in the brochure. Each QR code will have its own page. That is where the index information will be. There will be limited information on the sign and in the brochure. Ms. Oyer indicated she was thinking of an actual paper map that shows each site. Mr. Adams replied there will be a map at the sign and in the brochure. Mr. Weiss inquired if all of the cemeteries are still active. Mr. Adams replied the Barton Memorial Park is closed, Sara Sims is still open and Boynton Beach Memorial Park is still open but there are no burials in the old section. Susan Swiatosz, the library archivist, has started doing the research for the online information. She is concentrating on the areas that have little or no information. Mr. Adams has a great deal of information on the high school and Children's Museum. The GPS work has started for the Boynton Beach Memorial Park. Everywhere there is a yellow dot (looking at the slide presentation) is a gravestone which is for the interactive website as well. There will be a GPS location for every headstone. Barton Memorial Park was done and there are not too many at Sara Sims. Boynton Beach Memorial Park is about half done. Mr. Adams has received the purchase order for the signs and will be going to the sign company to sign the agreements. Once the State approves the amendments, the signs will be manufactured and installed. Ms. Pedersen questioned if there is an accurate record of unmarked graves in the old section. Mr. Adams said there was not but the GPS specialist will be doing the entire cemetery and hopefully will do the historic section first. Ms. Pedersen suggested looking at cemetery books by Marjorie Watts - Nelson which she wrote from records she got from the City. Some unmarked burials are probably listed in those records as well. 3 MEETING MINUTES HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL. MARCH 10, 2014 C. Wells Subdivision Research Mr. Adams reported he spoke with Minister Bernard Wright who contacted several people who could possibly help and who may have photographs of the Martin Luther King area when it was the Black downtown area. Mr. Wright is trying to get radio and television interested as well. D 918 SE 4 th Street Potential Relocation Mr. Adams emailed the potential new owners in mid - February and they indicated they are still interested and still trying to get the financing in place. 6. New Business A. Historic Site Designation: Lake Boynton Estates Entry Feature 569 W. Ocean Avenue Mr. Adams emailed a copy of the designation attachments to the members but did not include the application because it had not been signed. All notifications are now done. The application was prepared at the request of the Board at the October 14, 2013 meeting. A copy of the designation report was emailed. The subject is located at 569 W. Ocean Avenue on the north side of W. Ocean Avenue between NW 6 th Street and what is now known as the Tri Rail. It was built in 1925 in the Florida land boom era and was part of a set of gateposts forming the east entry to Lake Boynton Estates development. Only one post remains. Originally, there were three entries to the development proposed. The post is comprised of four parts; a small grey pillar, a carved wall, a large ornamental pillar and a large ornamental bracket between the large pillar and the wall. It is mostly made of concrete and concrete block. The wall is made from the and coated with textured stucco. It is in fairly good condition with a few signs of separation, small cracks and chipping, plant growth and the main concern is the rusting iron clamps inside. There are some classic ornamental details such as canvass leaves and a shield motif. This is the only gatepost in the City. It is associated with the life of Kelsey D. Purdy who contributed to the growth of the City through a number of residential developments and his promotion of the City as an ideal place to live. It is eligible for designation as it is associated with the life of someone significant in the City's past. For a site to be listed it must retain certain aspects of integrity and these aspects are location, design setting materials, workmanship and association. While it does retain most of these aspects, the setting has been destroyed There is only one gatepost and nowhere to access it from. Most people do not know what it is. 4 MEETING MINUTES HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL. MARCH 10, 2014 Ms. Oyer suggested moving it to another location Ms. Pederesen agreed with moving it to another location where it could be appreciated. Mr. Adams has determined the gatepost is eligible for historic designation and recommends the application be approved and given to the City Commission for their approval as well. It is scheduled for the City Commission in April. Chair Cope inquired if it is accepted and designated and then moved to another location, would it complicate the issue. Mr. Adams did not think it would be a problem because there have been other designated properties moved regularly. The important details are the architecture and association with Purdy which will always be part of it regardless of where it is relocated. The gateposts setting has irreversibly been destroyed and moving it to another location would be good for a few reasons; the setting has been destroyed, its use can no longer be determined and most importantly, the metal clamps inside could be replaced with something that will not deteriorate in the future. Ms. Oyer commented there are lights shown in the picture. However, Mr. Adams explained this was a drawing and no lights are on the actual gatepost. Mr. Adams commented he has spoken with the arborist who will remove the dead tree near the gatepost Mr. Purdy spoke about the gateposts and their design. In one advertisement from that time, it was said the posts cost more than a house in the development. Originally, there were 25 to 30 houses and only three remain. Motion Ms. Pedersen moved to approve the historic site designation for the Lake Boynton Estates entry feature. Ms. Stabile seconded the motion that passed unanimously. B. Proposed Historic Site Designation Boynton Woman's Club 1010 S. Federal Highway Mr. Adams reported the Woman's Club Board wishes to have the building added to the local register. It has been listed on the national register as a historic place since the 1970s and was the first building in the City added to the national register It was designed in 1925 by Addison Mizner and opened in 1926. Mr. Adams informed the Woman's Club he will start work on the designation application and report. 5 MEETING MINUTES HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL. MARCH 10, 2014 C. Boynton Beach Woman's Club Small Matching Grant Application 2015/2016 Mr. Adams stated he will help the Woman's Club with their grant application for funding to make essential repairs to the building. Mr. Adams commented his time can be charged as matched funding for the grant which will help with the Woman's Club grant application. Mr. Adams stated he will not apply for a City grant so it does not compete with the Woman's Club application. The needed repairs are extensive and will have to be a phased project. D. Comprehensive Plan Update Mr. Adams referred to the article in the Sun - Sentinel; "Historic Preservation to Play a Bigger Role in Boynton's Development Plan ". Mr. Adams stated he made changes to the City's Comprehensive Plan to now include a preservation program The wording of the plan was changed to bring the preservation element up to the same level as other municipalities. Three new sections added to the plan now cover education, funding, future plans, continuing to update the master site file, the local and national registers and continuing to update the survey There was a question raised as to why the City will no longer work with local organizations. The Plan does indicate the City will continue to work with heritage and educational organizations on a local, federal and state level. E. Earth Week Walk of Downtown Area Mr. Adams reported he will be hosting a walk during Earth Week of the downtown Heritage Trail from Seacrest Boulevard along Ocean Avenue down to the marina and the Mangrove Walk. Mr. Adams is scheduled to host a walk on Wednesday, April 23 and Thursday, April 24 Mr. Adams stated he would do both days if there is enough interest. If not, he will only do one of the two days. Information on Earth Week and other City events can be found on the City's website. 7. Other There was no other business to discuss. 8. Comments by Members Ms. Oyer inquired about the process of reapplying for Board membership. 6 MEETING MINUTES HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL. MARCH 10, 2014 Mr Adams replied he sent an email to the City Clerk requesting the status of those whose terms expire in April The April Historic Resources Preservation Board meeting may affect those that expire in April but the exact date is unknown. Mr. Adams is awaiting a response from the City Clerk. Ms. Oyer questioned whether or not the issues currently going on in regards to the old Boynton High School would come before the Historic Resources Preservation Board. Ms. Oyer stated if money is being approved to knock down the old high school, should it come before the Board. Mr. Adams responded no application has been made the to Board in regards to tearing down the building and it is still in litigation. Ms. Oyer commented while it is in litigation nothing can be done to the building. Mr. Adams stated issues concerning the old high school are being discussed with attorneys and the City Commission. Ms. Stabile understood demolition concerning buildings over 50 years old must be submitted to Mr. Adams and Mr. Adams replied nothing has been submitted to him for the old high school. Ms. Stabile gave recognition to Ms. Sharon Koskoff for her support of the Board's preservation efforts as well as those of other municipalities in Palm Beach County. Ms. Koskoff appeared during Public Audience for the City Commission and wrote an editorial about saving the old high school in the March 6 th issue of The Palm Beach Post. Ms. Koskoff is an artist and preservationist and currently won the News Award by Palm Beach County Cultural Council for Arts Education, Mr. Weiss questioned what would happen to the old high school if there was no litigation going on and whether or not the Commission has the authority to override the Board's decision Mr. Adams replied the Commission does have the authority to override a Board's decision. 9. Public Comments Audrey Gerger, 331 NW 1 st Avenue, stated she sent an email to Mayor Taylor about saving the high school. The construction of the old high school is more superior to that of the Civic Center which Ms. Gerger feels should be torn down and save the high school. Ms. Gerger stated Mayor Taylor does not represent the City in respecting the quality of the history of our City and preserving it. She commented the high school could be used for many other things Ms. Gerger commented about an article in the Sun Sentinel that suggested preserving the fagade of the old high school and tearing down the rest of the building. Ms Gerger commented on the Lake Boynton Estates entry gateposts and stated she would like to see two of them and have both relocated to the downtown area. Ms. Pedersen stated it would be a nice feature in the downtown area. There used to be 7 MEETING MINUTES HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL. MARCH 10, 2014 gates in Lake Park that went from one side of the street to the other and vehicles passed underneath. Wilton Manors had gates as well but they have all been lost. 10. Announce Date of Next Meeting —April 14, 2014 11. Adjournment Having no further business to discuss Chair Cope adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m. ' ece orates Rords Coordinator 3/24/14 8