Loading...
Minutes 03-09-15 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD., BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2015, AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: Roger Cope, Chair Warren Adams, Historic Preservation Planner Michelle Dion, Vice Chair Susan Oyer Barbara Ready ABSENT: Dr. Ginger Pedersen Eric Salomonsson Jason Shaffer 1. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Cope called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m., followed by members reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 2. Agenda Approval Mr. Adams distributed a revised agenda reflecting Item 613, Boynton Hills Lights, and 6C, New Downtown Heritage Sign were added to the agenda as New Business. The agenda was approved by consensus. 3. Approval of Minutes There were no changes to the February minutes. Mr. Adams noted the January minutes were not available. Motion Ms. Ready moved to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Oyer seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 4. Communications and Announcements Mr. Adams announced Jason Shaffer called to advise he could not attend the meeting. Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board B oynton Beach, Florida March 9, 2015 5. Old Business: A. Cultural Resources Mobile Application update Mr. Adams advised at final count, there were 170 sites tied to the mobile application project. All sites and their GPS coordinates were added to the map which the GIS Department was creating. The plan was to have a page pop up, the mobile phone vibrate, or a map appear when pedestrians walked by the site. An example of the proposed mobile application page was viewed as contained in the meeting materials. If more than one picture was on the app, one could finger swipe to the next picture. Notes about the property, any changes to it, and vacant sites with historic photos of the property would be included. The ITS Department reviewed the template. Mr. Adams had the information on a spreadsheet and ITS would advise how to migrate the information. The features would be searchable. For the audio element, Mr. Adams preferred to use an individual with personal history and knowledge of the area. Victor Norfus would provide the audio for Wells Avenue. Barbara Scott would provide the audio of the Magnuson House, and Mr. Weaver would provide information on the Boynton School. Ms. Ready suggested Voncile Smith speak about the Old High School since she had attended the school. All thought the audios would be much more interesting. The free application was a downloadable, web -based application that would be compatible with all smart phones. The GPS points were located on the sidewalk and a map would scroll as one walked. Mr. Adams clarified the application would only work if walking on the sidewalk, not if driving by in a car. B. Wells Avenue research update As part of Black History Month, Mr. Adams attended a meeting at the Sims Center. Twenty to thirty people attended and Mr. Norfus and Mr. Wright made presentations. Mr. Adams advised his presentation went well. He thought a few designations and more information on the community would be received. The second meeting was last week with the clergy from churches in the area which also went well. Mr. Adams advised attendees the City fully supported the Wells Avenue and Heart of Boynton projects. - They had already reviewed design features for homes that would be constructed and they would be applying for grants as well. The clergy helped determine which churches should be designated and would pass the information onto members of the congregations. Community Improvement Director Octavia Sherrod was speaking with people from the area, and several of them had photos and information to share. An agreement was made that if residents had photographs, Library staff would scan them, keep a copy and provide the resident with a thumb drive containing the scanned images. They want to consider a number of projects that would benefit the neighborhood. C. Forest Park HOA presentation Mr. Adams made a presentation to the residents at their Homeowners Association meeting, and he spoke with a few property owners about designation. The Cyrs, who were 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 9, 2015 unsuccessful in moving a historic home from the Women's Circle property to their vacant lot, were still interested in designating their personal residence. 6. New Business: A. Historic Designation of Barton Memorial Park Cemetery Mr. Adams emailed a report to the members. He explained this site had a turbulent history and was located on the corner of NW 12 Avenue and NW 5 Street adjacent to 1 -95. The cemetery was an unofficial cemetery on City land, and his research indicated it was originally adjacent to a former trash dump. To his knowledge, only African Americans were interred there. He clarified he had originally indicated the earliest burial was in 1920, but the headstone was hard to read and he believed it was 1926. They have a record of 50 burials at the cemetery, but only 20 grave markers. Most cities did not have complete early records, especially when it was an unofficial cemetery. He did not know exactly who was buried at the cemetery. The area to be designated was contained in the meeting materials. The area to the north and west was a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) access easement needed to maintain the sound wall which ran along the north and west of the property. The area to the east was land platted for the continuation of 5 Street and there, are burials there, but they were trying to determine the best way to have that area incorporated with the rest of the cemetery. He pointed out they were only designating a portion of the land. Photos of the site and the types of markers were viewed. Alton Barton died as a child, and his mother, Mary, campaigned for the maintenance of the Cherry Hills Cemetery which was later named Barton Memorial Cemetery after her. In 1940, the City Commission discussed moving bodies from the cemetery to accommodate the 1 -95 Highway. Discussion continued into the 50s and 60s with construction occurring in the 1970s. The FDOT plan showed the highway traversing through the cemetery. At that time, FDOT took note of the number of grave stones and a number of the grave stones remained as shown on the original plan; however, there could have been unmarked graves or wooden markers that deteriorated over time. In the 70s, there was no mention in the City Commission minutes about any bodies being relocated, and in 1978, a newspaper article indicated 1 -95 was realigned to accommodate the cemetery. Given that information and the fact the headstones were still there suggested 1- 95 was realigned and no bodies were moved. The City Clerk's records for Sara Simm: Barton Cemetery was a handwritten list of 50 burials which the members viewed. One list showed the lots at the Barton, and another list showed the lots at Sara Sims where decedents would be relocated. It listed the burials as "unknown" and the lots were grouped in one area. No headstones were found at Sara Sims and ground radar there did not reveal any anomalies. Aerials from 1950 to the present day were viewed. Mr. Adams transposed the lines which showed what part of Barton Cemetery remained, but he did not know the cemetery's boundaries. Mr. Adams was reasonably confident no bodies were moved. 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation or Boynton Beach, Florida March 9, 2015 The recommendation was the cemetery was significant because it was associated with the growth patterns of the City. It was an African-American cemetery. African American burials took place prior to real segregation occurring in the City. Before then, both Black and White individuals could be buried at the municipal cemetery, but this site was chosen by African Americans for some reason. The cemetery embodies a type or period of construction. He noted there were some grave markers that could be classed as folk art and other fairly rare shaped headstones such as the Nordic Cross, and it yielded information that was important to the City's history. The site was significant for archeology, art, ethnic heritage and social history. In order for a site to be designated, it has to maintain its integrity with regard to the people buried there. Mr. Adams explained the main issue was the Board had to determine if the construction of 1-95 affected the site to the point it lost its integrity. The site was impacted by the sound wall and development encroached on it, but it did retain many of its headstones. Mr. Adams felt the site was still significant in the history of the City and should be designated even though they could not say where the original boundaries were. Based on the information they had, he recommended the Board recommend approval to the City Commission. Motion Ms. Oyer moved to approve the designation to the City Commission. Ms. Ready seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Ms. Oyer thought it was important to maintain the cemetery. The land was owned by the City and given to FDOT. The FDOT gave some of the land back and the deed specified the land must remain as a cemetery. B. Boynton Hills Lights. The Board had designated the Boynton Hills Lights composed of four lights in traffic circles in the Boynton Hills neighborhood. The lights were contained in a 1925 subdivision plan and they were designated as significant because of their architectural details and subdivision street planning. The lights were focal points and seven roads met at each light. Due to redevelopment occurring in the Heart of Boynton area, Mr. Adams tried to get the lights working again and announced the Utilities Department was working to connect them. They removed the metal and glass fittings at the top and learned those components were made around the 1980s. Technically, the new information could affect the designation. The majority of the light pole's integrity remained in spite of the new fittings. In the future, it should not be problematic if they have to replace the fittings. Motion Ms. Ready moved to approve to keep the designation in place. Ms. Oyer seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Ms. Oyer suggested searching EBay for historic fittings. Mr. Adams had previously contacted Westinghouse who manufactured the lights any years ago. Ms. Ready 4 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation or Boynton Beach, Florida March 9, 2015 inquired if there would be an event when the lights were turned on and she suggested Mr. Adams contact the CRA. C. New downtown heritage trail sign. Mr. Adams advised the CRA contacted him regarding adding a sign by the dock master building to the Downtown Heritage Trail recognizing Captain Janet Hall and the Seamist fishing fleet. They put the text together and the sign was made and installed. It would be unveiled on March 18 at the ribbon cutting for the new Dock Master Building and Mr. Adams would make a brief presentation on the Heritage Trail. He advised the QR code would be added to the top right hand corner of the sign and the website was up and running, but not yet live. It was a great location for the sign. He hoped that a few more organizations would add to the Heritage Trail and discussion turned to logos. Ms. Ready suggested the HRPB have its own logo. Mr. Adams explained this was discussed in the Department and the most obvious logo would be the Schoolhouse Children's Museum, but the Historical Society may be using it. The members could consider using the lights or gateposts. Vice Chair Dion suggested putting it out to the residents. A marlin, sailfish or other ocean-themed symbol such as the Coquimbo wreck or the bridge was also suggested. The members agreed to email Mr. Adams their ideas which could be considered at the next meeting. If Mr. Adams received any information, he would email the members. 7. Other Mr. Adams advised elections for the Chair and Vice Chair would take place at the next meeting. Terms are for one year and members could serve for two consecutive terms. He also advised at the last meeting, the members had been asked to consider changing the meeting dates, which was now not necessary. He conveyed the City Clerk thanked the members for their cooperation in considering the matter. 8. Comments by members Ms. Oyer attended the Schoolhouse Children's Museum Reunion Bash. She advised it was a great time and there was good food. A good mix of people, including former School Board members attended. It was announced the Historical Society was having a meeting on the March 16 Dr. Pedersen and Janet DeVries will make a presentation on the genesis of the Woman's Club. 9. Public comments None. 10. Announce date of next meeting — April 13, 2015 5 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 9, 2015 11. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Chair Cope adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m. UA)L Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 031015 6