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Minutes 08-08-16MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL 100 E BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2016, AT 6:30 P.M. Present: Barbara Ready, Chair Eric Salomonsson, Vice Chair Michelle Dion Susan Oyer Dr. Ginger Pedersen Jason Shaffer Michael Wilson Hollis Tidwell, III, Alternate Cheryl Black, Alternate 1. Pledge of Allegiance Warren Adams, Historic Preservation Planner Chair Ready called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Oyer led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 2. Agenda Approval Motion Ms. Oyer moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Tidwell seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 3. Approval of Minutes The minutes were not available 4. Communications and Announcements None. 5. Old Business: A. Magnuson House, 211 E. Ocean Avenue adaptive reuse update Mr. Adams explained the Board had reviewed the Certificate of Appropriateness of the Magnuson House at the last meeting. Photographs of the floor plans of the Magnuson house, rebuilding the front porch, an addition to the rear and east elevation which was more like a canopy than a wall and an exterior staircase to the west were viewed. The Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 8, 2016 interior of the home will be an open plan with a trellis to the front of the building. Planning and Development approved the application on July 26th. The boundary wall was still uncertain and they were still waiting on details for the windows and doors. The project is moving through the process and looking good. B. Proposed NW 1St Avenue Historic District update The Historic District was proposed in January as Mr. Adams had spoken to residents. Recent CRA plans called for a change in the future land use on lots fronting Boynton Beach Boulevard and lots on the north side of NW 1" Avenue, which would make them eligible to be developed for a commercial use and it would affect historic properties. Normally the Board would have more time to create a historic district, but they were hard pressed for time. He had a meeting with six property owners and all of them were informed of the meeting by a letter. The property owners that did not attend were sent a second letter asking them to contact Mr. Adams. In that time, two properties changed hands between the first and second letters. One letter was sent to the mortgage company and the contract purchaser for one property. Some letters went to the first owner and the second letter to the new second owners. Alot happened with the 13 properties. The final result was 6 were in favor of a historic district, two were against and five did not respond which was not a simple majority of properties owners in favor of the District. Chair Ready asked if the two property owners not in favor owned historic properties and learned it was done by ballot and Mr. Adams did not know. The other person against a historic district was a homeowner who rents and owns commercial property. Mr. Adams explained this means the CRA proposal will be proposed as is and lots on the north side of NW 1 st Avenue and their future land use was commercial, but it did not mean it would occur overnight. No one would be forced to sell. They have one designated property on the north side of the street. A voting letter sent to the property owners giving the results, indicated if you have a historic home, please contact him to consider individual designation. The owner of the house the Board directed Mr. Adams to speak with on the northwest corner of 1st Avenue and 3rd Street indicated she would discuss the designation with her husband and get back to him next week. He hoped the other property owners would come forward. Mr. Adams explained even if the CRA proposal was approved it could take a long time for a developer to assemble the land. Residents could request the issue be reviewed again. Mr. Adams spoke to Delray and West Palm Beach and they do not have anything in their ordinance about revisiting the issue, but both indicated a year is sufficient unless there is a specific change in the potential district. The Board did all they were required to and he contacted the owners of record in accordance with the Property Appraiser's site. The owners were encouraged to speak with their neighbors. He cannot knock door to door and had spoken directly with some property owners. He suggested waiting to see if the CRA plans were approved. Any development is contingent on the property owners selling. Mr. Wilson asked if the property owners receive a tax exemption if the home is in a 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 8, 2016 historic status and learned individually designated and contributing structures in a historic district would. Chair Ready asked if the homes have to be on the local register and responded if contributing, the owner can get the exemption and owners can designate individually. Mr. Adams found the owners of historic homes favored a historic district, and five of the six homeowners that attended the meeting had potentially contributing buildings. The members discussed the location of the homes. Vice Chair Salmonosson noted there was an article in the paper about potentially moving 13 homes. Mr. Adams explained there were incorrect statements in the article. He had emailed the information indicating there were 13 homes in the district, and seven were potentially contributing or individually eligible for designation. The article also suggested the City would pay to move the homes, which was incorrect. Ms. Oyer mentioned the CRA had made the statement; however, Mr. Adams explained when relocating the homes, they try to get the developer to move the home. If the homes could be individual designated and 10 years later, a developer tries to develop the land, the designation gives greater weight to relocated sites. If the developer did not want to develop all, there may be potential grants available at that time. If the developer could not do that, the next option is to give the house to someone who wants to take it and the developer would forward the new owner the cost to demolish the home. There are several ways to accomplish this. If a non-profit takes a home they can apply for grants to relocate the home, but Mr. Adams emphasized at no point did he ever suggest the City would relocate the homes. Mr. Adams also expressed his disappointment the very opening statement of the article said a historic district would have some effect on the development of Boynton Beach Boulevard, which was nonsense. The lots fronting Boynton Beach Boulevard could be developed, but the development would have to be looked at again because there are no double width lots. Mr. Adams explained the story created a bad impression that historic preservation blocks development. The lots fronting Boynton Beach Boulevard could be developed. He spoke to the Public Relation representative and that information would be passed on He hoped they would have their first district, but have to go with the rules and votes that come in. C. Significant person recognition program update Mr. Adams explained this pertained to the street sign program the Board recommended. He presented it to the City Commission on July 9th, and they approved a recognition program and thought it was a good idea and it should be done on a case-by-case basis. It was pointed out someone may want a park bench in honor of an ancestor which Mr. Adams had not considered. The City Commission favored the applications be reviewed case-by-case and rather than saying the person being memorialized will have a street sign or a plaque, they are happy to move along with what the requests are. Applications will initially be reviewed by the Preservation Board. D. Boynton Woman's Club window and door repair update 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 8, 2016 Mr. Adams explained the Womans' Club recently submitted an application for a building permit for the windows which Mr. Adams first reviewed. There was a mistake in the application which he denied. He contacted the Woman's Club, the contractor and architects and the mistake was rectified and it has been resubmitted. The problem was there were windows included in phase one that should not have been included. If he hadn't been involved with the project since the start, it would have been missed. The drawings were rectified and submitted the next day. He commented work will start soon. 6. New Business: A. "Robert E. Wells Memorial Avenue" sign unveiling ceremony Visuals of the signs for Robert E. Wells Memorial Avenue were viewed. Mr. Adams checked with the sign department and the signs should be installed Wednesday or Thursday. He noted this was a long process. Originally they would run parallel with the street, but the signs will be facing motorists when they drive. He explained there are certain requirements for signs and memorial signs The first sign will be installed near Seacrest Boulevard by the Family Dollar Store on CRA property. Visuals were viewed. If the CRA property is developed, the sign will have to be moved unless the new owner will permit the sign to stay. The only other option was 200 feet down the street which was too far. The second location is on Federal Highway on the right side. They looked at other options, but these seemed to be the most prominent locations. It was suggested they have a ceremony, which Mr. Adams would have to organize and he needed suggestions as he does not usually handle sign unveilings. The unveiling was planned for Monday August 15th about 10 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. The sign department indicated the sign should be installed by Wednesday or Thursday, so the event was planned for the following Monday. He encouraged the members to attend the ceremony which will be held at the location closer to Seacrest Boulevard. The sign will be seven feet off the ground on poles. The sign on Federal Highway will be on the right of way. (Vice Chair Salomonsson left dais at 6:54 p.m.) Reverend Wright appreciated what the Board was doing and was excited and appreciative. Reverend Wright advised he will invite the entire City Commission and trusted as many that could attend will be available. He commented this was history that would have been untold as it is not in any history book. He is the last of the heir apparent and his grandfather left an inheritance to be divided in the Bahamas and he has to go to the Bahamas to find out what his grandfather and great grandfather had accomplished. He commented it is great to know your history. (Vice Chair Salomonsson returned at 6:57 p.m.) Reverend Wright commented he would like the City Manager to be present to invite the press and news stations but preferred an event on a Saturday. El Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 8, 2016 Mr. Adams was unsure who was available if they held an event on a Saturday and thought more people may be available during the week. He and Reverent Wright would discuss it the next day. Once a day is decided on, Mr. Adams he would email the members. Ms. Oyer noted August 15th was the first day of school and there were three Commissioners that were teachers. Reverend Wright suggested holding a ceremony on the 20th. She suggested having a soft opening for dignitaries and then one for the public on a Saturday. 7. Other None. 8. Comments by members Ms. Oyer announced her family's buildings were repainted and the historic sign and landmark was repainted and beautiful. Mr. Wilson inquired how long the sign was there. Ms. Oyer did not know as the building was 97 years old and she thought perhaps it was installed in the 1950s. Mr. Adams explained the sign was significant as painted signs were no longer allowed, but it was in the Code that because the sign had historic character, it could be kept as long as it was not changed. The sign went through the correct process. It is historic and no color changes occurred. Ms. Oyer explained the other end of the building will have a mural soon. It had a marlin and fish and something similar will be painted on the side of the build that faces the park and they would put lights up as an added art feature on Ocean Avenue. Dr. Pedersen noted she saw bricks mortared together and did not know whether they are part of the original train station foundation and/or steps and/or piers on Ocean Avenue. She requested Mr. Adams look at it and she gave the location. She commented they are big and thought if they could be saved the Jupiter train station was looking for authentic brick pieces. They wanted the same from Lantana, and could go to Jupiter as the station is nicely restored. Dr. Pederson commented they were digging fiber optic along the line and thought they may have been dug up. Ms. Oyer thought they should be saved for Boynton's train station. Dr. Pedersen commented her concern was they would be carted along for garbage and explained she was fine as long as they go somewhere. Chair Ready noted there were square and hollow stanchions from the other train station. Mr. Adams agreed to visit the site the next day. Chair Ready invited all to come to the rally, expressing their opinion regarding the density increase for the CRA and City's plan. It was also announced the Historic Society will begin meeting again the third Monday in September at the Library. In January and February, they meet at the Woman's Club. 9. Public comments None. Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 8, 2016 10. Announce date of next meeting — September 12, 2016 None. 11. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Chair Ready adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m. 0�*Wu- &Q� Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist N