Minutes 09-08-14 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014, AT 6:30 P.M.
IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD.,
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
PRESENT
Roger Cope, Chair Warren Adams, Historic Preservation Planner
Michelle Dion, Vice Chair
Dr. Ginger Pedersen
Eric Salomonsson
Jason Shaffer
Susan Oyer
SENT
Barbara Ready
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Cope called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was
recited by the members.
2. Agenda Approval
Motion
Ms. Oyer moved to approve the agenda. Vice Chair Dion seconded the motion that
unanimously passed.
3. Approval of Minutes
Mr. Adams made the following changes to the August 11, 2014, minutes:
Dr. Pedersen's last name is misspelled throughout the minutes. It was spelled
Pederson and should be Pedersen.
Page 2, Old Business Item A. Woman's Club building repairs and grant application,
second paragraph, third line should read: " ... so it appears the grant application is may
be successful."
Page 2, the last paragraph was repeated on the following page and should be deleted.
MEETING MINUTES
HISTORIC RESOURCE PRESERVATION BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
Page 5, Item C, Disaster Management, first paragraph should read: " . . applied'to the
ICOMOS ICARP !CORP Scientific ...."
4. Approval of Minutes
Mr. Adams announced Ms. Ready contacted him advising she could not attend the
meeting.
Dr. Pedersen explained the Historical Society had received communication from the
City. One of the Murray family members would be present at the City Commission
meeting when the proclamation was read. Horace Murray purchased the first lot in
Boynton Beach in 1897. They hoped to obtain additional photographs and information
from the family. She added the current owners of the Murray home agreed to allow the
Murray family to tour the home.
5. Old Business
A. Woman's Club building repairs and grant application
Mr. Adams advised he was continuing to work with the Woman's Club to submit a
Special Category Grant by the end of October. They meet regularly to discuss
programs and ideas. It was hoped the funding would be received to repair the doors
and windows.
B. Florida Main Street Conference presentation
This conference would be held in Stuart, Florida, on September 9 to the 11 On the
10 Mr. Adams would be making a presentation about the City's preservation program
and the advantages of being a Certified Local Government (CLG). As the newest CLG
in the State, he would highlight the City's accomplishments, and he advised there are
advantages of liaising with other CLGs and obtaining funding and training. Most Main
Street representatives would be present, and it was hoped other CLG representatives
would attend.
6. New Business
A. Historic Designation: Boynton Woman's Club, 1010 S. Federal Highway
The Woman's Club was designed by Addison Mizner and constructed between 1925
and 1926. It is the only Mizner building in the City, being a two -story Mediterranean
Revival building. Construction was partly funded by the Estate of Major Nathan S.
Boynton. At that time, the Woman's Club was considering moving from a building on
Ocean Avenue to a larger place to accommodate their needs.
Major Boynton's heirs were looking for a memorial to him and suggested they would
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MEETING MINUTES
HISTORIC RESOURCE PRESERVATION BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
fund $35K towards the Woman's Club building. The building was listed on the National
Register in 1979 as one of only two National Register buildings in the City. It retains
most of its original features both internally and externally.
The south elevation front entrance was reviewed as was the west and east elevations.
There are not many features on the rear elevation. Inside the building was a library and
banquet room with most original features, including a fireplace, wood floors and French
doors leading to the east loggia. The main space was the auditorium, having exposed
beams in the roof, wood floors and arches, retaining most of the original features and
character.
The two most significant alterations were on the exterior. In the 1950's, the road was
widened and the northwest tower, and one of the five arches from the loggia were
removed. They shortened the loggia, balcony, removed the driveway and landscaping.
In place of the tower, they installed two windows that were similar to the existing
windows and the French doors opening to balcony were replaced with windows. Mr.
Adams reminded the members the structure was added to the National Register after
alterations were done and the architect or designer made sure the work done remained
true to the building's character.
One of the arches on the east elevation was filled in for storage which could be
reversed in the future, if desired. There were some internal alterations. Some partitions
were added and interior arches to hide air conditioning ducts were installed. Overall,
the building has almost all its original features and characters. The setting of the
building has been impacted over time due to adjacent construction of residential and
commercial units, mostly to the north, but this occurs with a developing town.
The building is eligible for designation because it is significant in architecture and social
history. The mission of the Woman's Club was to be a benefit to the town. The building
was used by people during the 1920 1928 hurricane and Second World War, and it
housed the town's first library until 1961.
Mr. Adams recommended approval of the designation to the City Commission. Dr.
Pedersen commented it was a well done report and commented she thought the land
was donated by A.E. Parker.
Motion
Dr. Pedersen moved to approve. Ms. Oyer seconded the motion that unanimously
passed.
Mr. Adams acknowledged Pat Waldron and Barbara Wineburg Co- Chairs of the •
Woman's Club. They thanked the Board and commented this was a great opportunity
for them and the City. They invited the Board for a personal tour of the building and
commented Boynton Beach should be proud to have the building in its community. It
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MEETING MINUTES
HISTORIC RESOURCE PRESERVATION BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
was the only Mizner building in Palm Beach County that was open to the public. It could
be rented and it was a beautiful asset to have.
Mr. Adams explained, assuming the building was added to the Local Register, any
alterations will only be reviewed by the Board. If the grant was successful, they would
repair and restore all the wood frame windows and doors.
B.' Paint Color Review for Historic Sites
Mr. Adams explained when the Historic Preservation Ad Hoc Committee had been
meeting. they discussed what should be contained in the Historic Preservation
Ordinance. At the time, Mr. Adams had suggested including a review of painting
historic buildings. The provision was voted down because the consensus of the
Committee was homeowners do not like being told what colors they could paint. The
intention was not to restrict homeowners; rather, it was to prevent someone from
changing the character of the building.
The members viewed a picture of the First Baptist Church, which was an undesignated
historic building that recently had original brick painted a cream color. Mr. Adams
explained he was contacted a few months ago by a Church representative who asked if
they could stucco the building. Mr. Adams explained the building was not on the Local
Register so there was no obligation to review it. He did inform the Church, if they put
stucco on it, the building's character and architectural features will have been altered
and they would likely have ongoing maintenance issues.
Mr. Adams learned the ur ose of the stucco was to match the building's addition to the
p p
Church. He also advised them that commercial buildings have to go through a minor
modification process if they want to change the paint color. The representative
he would go back to the Church Board. Mr. Adams pointed out the Church had lost its
spire and had a metal roof, but with the brick work and e "e - - e' - - - - - - - with an entrance portico - - - - - . • - - • , they could still apply for
designation.
Months later, Mr. Adams observed the Church had painted the building without a
modification application. A stop work order was issued, but the Church continued to
paint, and after the painting was complete, a representative spoke with him. Mr. Adams
commented he could not make them remove the paint because it would damage the
brick and by painting the brick, there could be problems with moisture.
Mr. Adams explained this was an example of why he recommended a paint review be
included in an Ordinance. He requested the members consider reviewing all paint color
changes for historic properties, designated properties, districts, or buildings within
historic districts. This would be done free of charge without a lengthy application
process. The applicant only needed to supply sample paint chips.
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MEETING MINUTES
HISTORIC RESOURCE PRESERVATION BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
Another option was, if painting a building which historically was unpainted, they must
submit an application. Conversely, if removing paint from a building or building material
that has, always been painted, an application would also be needed.
Mr. Adams suggested the Board review all paint changes for residential and commercial
structures, or only painting surfaces that were historically unpainted or removing paint
from surfaces that were historically painted. Discussion followed the Church should
have made an application and did not. A question was raised if there would be a
penalty. Mr. Adams thought there should be, but the problem was removing the paint
would damage the brick. The only other option was for someone to scrub the paint off
with a soft brush, water and detergent. Further discussion followed it was not really the
color that was being reviewed, it was a review of changing the character of structures
with historical significance.
Motion
Dr. Pedersen moved that a review take place when painting a surface not meant to be
painted or taking paint off a surface meant to be painted adversely affects the character
of the building. The motion was duly seconded.
Further discussion took place there is a distinction between a review of colors in general
and the historical aspects. The intent was to review it before it occurs. It also provides
the opportunity to have a dialogue with the owner about the maintenance issues.
Dr. Pedersen added to her motion to have a review process as part of the Ordinance
when a designated structure, whether residential or commercial, wants to apply paint to
a traditionally unpainted surface, or wants to remove paint completely from a surface
that has paint. It can be revisited in the future to possibly include color choices in any
future historic districts. Mr. Shaffer seconded the motion that passed 5 -1. (Ms. Oyer
abstained due to her owning some historic buildings.)
7. Other
None.
8. Comments by members
Dr. Pedersen announced the Boynton Beach Historical Society meeting on September
15 at 6:30 p.m. at the City Library. There will be a presentation by Guy Bachmann
who would talk about the Loxahatchee Battlefield sites off Indian Town Road.
9. Public Comments
None..
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MEETING MINUTES
HISTORIC RESOURCE PRESERVATION BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
10. Announce date of next meeting — October 13, 2014
11. Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, Chair Cope properly adjourned the meeting
at 7:11 p.m.
0.a.EAVAADU
Catherine Cherry
Minutes Specialist
091714
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