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Minutes 11-14-16 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2016, AT 6:30 P.M. IN CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: Barbara Ready, Chair Warren Adams, Historic Preservation Planner Susan Oyer Ginger Pedersen Cheryl Black Hollis Tidwell Absent: Eric Salmonsson, Vice Chair Jason Shaffer Mike Wilson, Alternate 1. Pledge of Allegiance 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 Mr. Adams added item 6.D., discussion of 224 SW 18t Avenue to the agenda. Motion Ms. Oyer moved to approve as amended. Mr. Tidwell seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 3. Approval of Minutes July 19, 2016 There were no changes made to the July minutes. August 8, 2016 There was one change to the August minutes, item 6.A. last sentence as follows: " . . . the sign on Federal Highway will be on the right ef-,Arai, swale." 1 Meeting Minutes Historic Recourses Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 14, 2016 September 12, 2016 There was one change, Item F, second paragraph as follows: "Tho owner asked Mr. Adams advised if they could move the home." Motion Mr. Tidwell moved to approve the minutes as amended. Dr. Pedersen seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 4. Communications and Announcements Mr. Adams explained Mr. Schaffer advised he would try to attend the meeting. On October 27th, he attended Boynton Woman's Club Luncheon. Mayor Grant and Commissioner Romelus were present and Mr. Adams gave a brief presentation on the Historic Preservation Program. He provided an update on the doors and windows. 5. Old Business: A. Boynton Woman's Club window and door repair update Mr. Adams explained Phase I has been completed and the restored doors and windows were installed on the second floor east elevation. Visuals of the openings that were secured and sealed were viewed as were pictures of new doors and windows. He advised they fit very well. They removed the doors and windows for Phase 2 on the south elevation of the building. The project was moving well and was slightly ahead of time until Hurricane Matthew, but they are back on track and may finish ahead of schedule. He advised there will be another phase after this one, and this phase should finish up just after Christmas. Mr. Adams was advising them as much as possible and has been having meetings with the architects and contractors. He emphasized, the windows and doors were being repaired as much as possible and are only replaced when it is not possible to repair. B. Certified Local Government Grant: Black History Interactive Website update Mr. Adams advised he has not received the signed contract back from the State. It was approved by the City Commission and sent up a month ago. The City was supposed to start the project in July, but has to wait until the contract is received. The City also wanted to purchase information from Pictometry, which is a 3-D mapping system, but Mr. Adams did not want to proceed with the purchase in the event the State indicates the City would not be reimbursed for the purchase and there was already a change to the proposed budget as the purchase of Pictometry was coming out closer to $6K than $5,000, but could not do anything without State approval 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Recourses Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 14, 2016 Mr. Adams explained he was doing as much work as possible behind the scenes. Mr. Adams explained he had spoken with a few people about photographs and one person had photographic information. He commented there needed to be a strong effort to obtain the information from the residents as it will form the basis for a lot of the website's content. Mr. Adams has been working with Victor Norfus on the project going through directories, and identifying businesses and property owners for 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th. Mr. Norfus will review the information with his mother. Chair Ready asked how the Board could assist Mr. Adams and learned Mr. Adams was relying on word of mouth for the information and photographs of the community and they have been promoting the project for over a year. He spoke with the Coalition of Clergy to enlist their help. Mr. Adams thought they would have to go into the neighborhoods with a scanner and make the copies. He commented he only needed 40 or 50 photographs with a few each of schools, houses, and stores. The website will be continually be evolving because the City agreed to the upkeep and as information is received the site could be updated. 6. New Business: A. Comprehensive Redevelopment Plan Mr. Adams referred the members to the handout and to SW 1St Avenue. He advised meetings were held to see if there was interest in forming a Historic District on NW 1St Avenue. Of the 13 properties there, seven voted against it and they did not obtain a majority. The wording that got into the plan read, "The designation process was applied, but failed to produce a positive result although the outcome of the vote was very close. It is recommended that the designation of a Historic District be again explored in the future if there isn't any assemblage of the properties on the north side of NW 1St Avenue." Mr. Adams explained the owners of the contributing sites will be contacted to determine their interest in applying for individual designations. One property owner on the south side of the street was interested, but wanted to do some work to the house first. He hoped these homeowners would come forward. The District could be revisited in the future and individual designation would strengthen a District. Mr. Adams reviewed there are a significant number of historic cottages on both sides of NE 3rd Avenue and the south side of NE 4th Avenue. The Plan sought to protect the cottages from development on Boynton Beach Boulevard. He noted the lots would be developed, and they would likely be double depth back onto NE 3rd Avenue. He sought to take anything significant from the south side of 3rd Avenue and move it to the north side of 3rd and create a historic cottage district within that boundary in the future. This was a provision Mr. Adams was able to incorporate into the Plan. Ms. Oyer noted there was a big old lot that looked like it was platted for a street down the middle. She questioned if they were going to move houses and split the lots so all the homes would fit in the area. Mr. Adams responded it has not gone that far; they will move only the important cottages and the most significant. He wanted something in the 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Recourses Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 14, 2016 Plan for the option to save the cottages if they could. Mr. Adams explained this had not been discussed at length, but he wanted a way to save some of the important buildings on the south side of the street. It would not be all of the homes. Chair Ready noted there had been prior support from the CRA for the Cottage District. Mr. Adams agreed, but noted it has not been planned yet. It was a concept and nothing has been budgeted because it could be years before a developer assembles any land. Dr. Pedersen commented the City is not going to condemn the homes or planned to take through the properties through eminent domain. Mr. Adams agreed, but wanted all to be cognizant some of the homes may be in poor shape. He only wanted to save the best of them. He had not inspected them other than walking the street to look at them and check the construction dates. He has not been on any of the properties. There were five or six homes that were over 50 years old. He assumed the cottages were occupied as they were not boarded up. Mr. Adams explained the provision had four advantages which were the move was not very far; many of the cottages were on piers which would be fairly easy to pick up and move; they are not very large; and it would allow them to create something special near the downtown area. The significant homes were on the south side of NE 4th Avenue and they are pretty much safe because they were not included in the proposal for Boynton Beach. He commented the first three cottages on 4th Avenue were important. B. RFQ for the City of Boynton Beach Town Square Redevelopment Mr. Adams reviewed the handout. He explained page nine, item B.1.C. notes the Old High School is listed on the City of Boynton Beach Register of Historic Places and alterations to its exterior are subject to the review by the Board. The City also encourages preservation of interior elements as reasonably possible, particularly the gymnasium. He commented the High School is in the RFQ and it does state it has to be protected. Page 13 of the RFQ also indicates the Old High School must be retained for an adaptive reuse. The proposer may need to make exterior and/or interior modifications to meet current Code requirements. He noted the Board does not review interior alterations and developers are being encouraged to keep as much as possible. The amount of interior that is retained is contingent on the tax credits the developer seeks. To obtain the 20% tax credits, the building has to be on the National Register and they are required to keep a substantial amount of the interior. If a developer seeks 10% tax credits, it is not required. He thought much of the alterations will depend on how the High School fits into the overall project. In theory, someone could gut the interior and the Board would have no say. Conversely, someone could come forward, depending on the use they want, and save the interior. It is in the RFQ the building has to be retained, but until they receive proposals, he did not know what will happen. Mr. Adams noted the Schoolhouse Children's Museum (SCM) building must remain in the Town Square area. It can be moved, but Mr. Adams did not think relocating it would occur as the building is concrete as was the slab. He also pointed out the SCM is on the National Register, and alterations do not have to be reviewed by the Board. Mr. 4 Meeting Minutes Historic Recourses Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 14, 2016 Adams also explained if the building is moved, it could be removed from the National Register, and the City loses the ability to get grants and tax credits for future work to it. If added to the Local Register, even if removed from the National Register, it is still eligible for grants and tax credits. More importantly, if the building is on the Local Register, any relocation would have to be reviewed by the Board. The Board could review the new location, the building's orientation, footprint, and the possibility of staying on the National Register. If the Board denied it, the City Commission could overturn it. Mr. Adams advised he was given the go ahead to develop a Local Register Designation application and explained the main reason to add anything to the Local Register is to be able to have a say. Ms. Oyer thought the City Commission would support it. C. Potential designations Mr. Adams explained there are number of potential designations in addition to the SCM. He contacted the owners of the property located at 117 S. Seacrest Boulevard and learned he was insured with Citizens Insurance who was fine with historic properties, so this designation should move forward. He hoped to start on the designation application this week. He also asked Jesse Feldman if he wanted to serve on the Board and he explained the City Commission will make appointments the next day. Another home on 815 SE 3rd Street wanted to designate the original building and develop the land next to it. Mr. Adams hoped that would move ahead. A designation report for the home on 101 SW 4t" Avenue was being completed and was with the property owner for a few months. Mr. Adams agreed to follow up with them. Mr. Adams was also contacted about a potential designation for the St. Paul's AME Church who also has the Coquimbo Bell. Mr. Adams had spoken with them three years ago and they were eligible for designation, but they did not move ahead. He had heard they may consider applying again. It is the oldest Church in the City, but not the oldest church building. Ms. Oyer noted the Church was looking to expand. Mr. Adams understood they were looking to retain the Church and construct another building. Apart from the street lights, it will be the first designation in the African-American community. The Church has fantastic stained glass, but he did not think it was Conrad Picket's stained glass. If they want him to go back he can spend more time trying to learn who did the glass work. a. 224 SW 1 st Ave. Mr. Adams explained this property was discussed at the last meeting. The owner wanted to know if the property was a historic site and wanted to sell the property, but the home straddles the middle of two lots. Ms. Black had indicated the home was in very poor condition. The owner wanted to sell the lot so someone could tear the house down and build a house on each lot. Mr. Adams looked at the home because if they moved the home slightly to the left, they would get tax credits and could build a neve 5 Meeting Minutes Historic Recourses Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 14, 2016 home on the other side. Mr. Adams commented the home looked like it was altered. The addition in the front was originally a garage and it showed up in the 1950 aerials. The home was built circa 1926. Not only is there a front addition, the building records show half the house was completely rebuilt in the 1950s. The home was badly affected by termites and a storm. The home was originally wood frame, half of it is built from concrete block. There was nothing to indicate if the concrete block was built the same as the historic section. The interior was completely remodeled, which he assumed it was done at the same time when it was rebuilt. Presently, the home is in poor condition, has termites and plants growing out of the roof, rot and water penetration and holes in the roof. Due to those factors, Mr. Adams signed off on the demolition permit. He could have brought the home to the Board for designation, but he could not see it receiving approval by the City Commission. A historic building has to have integrity and if altered, it has to be done so appropriately and be in relatively in good condition. Mr. Adams explained he did not want to hold up the demolition permit by having to wait three weeks for a Board meeting. Chair Ready asked if anything was salvageable and learned the owner indicated he would contact an architectural salvage yard for the windows. Mr. Adams thought the wood brackets under the canopy and the barrel tiles may be salvageable. The property was sold to a developer and Mr. Adams met with him. He asked the developer if he considered moving the home a few feet and learned he did not. The developer planned to construct two homes, but he had not spoken with the Planning Department. Chair Ready asked if the home is located in an area that could be a historic area and learned there were a few homes there that could be historic. Chair Ready asked if the developer would be amenable to constructing a home to be compatible with the area. Ms. Black explained the developer who purchased the property, constructed the homes that look like little cottages on SW 1St Avenue and the surrounding area. It was thought he would build the same type of home because there was not a lot of property. Mr. Adams commented if the request came in sooner, he would have held it for Board review. The property was not of extreme significance to the City. Chair Ready commented the Board may not want to review the demolition application, but would want to be notified. If it was an important house that was not designated, Mr. Adams advised he would have notified the Board. Ms. Black advised it is vacant so the members could walk and review it. 7. Other- None 8. Comments by members Ms. Oyer tried to send an email advising her brothers fifth book in the Charlie Pierce series, entitled "The Adventures of Charlie Pierce, Charlie and the Tycoon" which is about Henry Flagler; is available on december 10th, at 9:30 a.m. at Flaaler Museum. 6 Meeting Minutes Historic Recourses Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 14, 2016 She provided the prices get into the Museum for the day and noted there are activities planned surrounding the book. Those attending the book release can purchase a reduced price book and have it autographed. Ms. Oyer inquired about the status of street name changes in the downtown and learned the matter would be addressed when the Town Square is redeveloped. They were discussing printing signs with their original historic names. Ms. Oyer had mentioned it to people, but others were unaware of it. Mr. Adams explained it could be incorporated into the development plan, but did not see the streets naming. Ms. Oyer explained, in conversation with Ms. LaVerriere, she inquired about its status. Ms. Oyer noted the discussions about it just stopped, but Ms. LaVerriere liked the idea. Chair Ready noted the Historical Society meeting was November 21St. at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Program Room. Dr. Pedersen explained Steve Anton, the Society's local treasure guru would discuss his dives and show his wares. She thought it should be a fun evening. He is a good speaker and a talented photographer. Mr. Tidwell noted Agnes Ballard, the first female registered architect in the State of Florida started with Mizner in the 20s and Palm Beach County had approved the demolition of the last Ballard building. Mr. Tidwell agreed to send the members the address. Dr. Pederson explained she designed simple ranch houses. One of the best looking was on Singer Island. Mr. Tidwell explained the plans are still on file with Palm Beach and there are photographs, including the interior. The building was a two-story quasi-apartment building. Ms. Oyer asked if the iron railings for the building would be available, but Mr. Tidwell did not know. 9. Public comments One unidentified person was in the audience and she advised she trying to get involved in the City. Chair Ready advised there an opening on the Board. Ms. Oyer also noted there were openings on the Arts Commission. Mr. Adams explained potentially the meetings will attract more people and more designations as the Town Square and downtown development plan approached. Mr. Adams also advised he submitted the Annual Report to the State. Nearly 100 new buildings were added to the Florida Master Site File, but there were no new designations this year. Next year, he hoped there would be more designations. He noted they have potentially have seven properties on NW 1St and the White house on corner. He spoke to the Church across the street, with St Paul AME Church and the four homes discussed during the meetings and several other individual homes. The owners just needed to take the extra step. Insurance seems to be an issue for some people, but Citizens insurance was fine. Mr. Adams agreed to send the report to the Board members, 7 Meeting Minutes Historic Recourses Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 14, 2016 10. Announce date of next meeting — December 12, 2016 11. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Chair Ready properly adjourned the meeting at 7:26 p.m. 6&i-k�/' u Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 8