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Minutes 08-10-20 Minutes of the Historic Resources Preservation Board Meeting Held in the City Hall Community Room 100 E. Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida On Monday, August 10, 2020, at 6:30 P.M. Present: Barbara Ready, Chair Mike Rumpf, Board Liaison Ben Lowe Mike Wilson Thomas Ramiccio Jesse Feldman Hollis Tidwell, III Absent: Bernard Wright Jerome Small, Alternate 1. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Ready called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. The Board skipped the Pledge of Allegiance due to no flag. 2. Agenda Approval There were no changes to the agenda. Mr. Wilson moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Feldman seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. 3. Approval of Minutes — March 9, 2020 Motion Mr. Tidwell, III moved to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. 4. Communications and Announcements None 5. Old Business: None Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 10, 2020 6. New Business: A. Program Overview and Orientation of New Members — Topics to be presented include program background and components, CLG designation, property inventories, historic designations, local projects, and Board responsibilities. (No accompany staff report; materials to be provided at the meeting). Mike Rumpf, Development Director, explained the new Cultural Center inspired the City to do more. He had a lot of information to be shared and explained the meeting was an educational opportunity or orientation. He noted if anyone else attended the meetings it would be informative. He commented the members could be better liaisons then he of the program as the members have personal knowledge of Boynton's history. He explained Boynton does not have a lot of activity and the Board does not see many applications for Certificates of Appropriateness or proposals to be on the local or National Register as frequently as they would like, but there is always an opportunity to improve the program. Mr. Rumpf gave a video presentation about past Historic Preservation efforts and explained the City introduced a phased-educational program which is free of charge. In 2009, the City created a Historic Preservation Ad Hoc Advisory Committee. The City obtained a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a donation from the Historical Society and produced three informational brochures providing information on the program and about architectural styles found within the City. The Committee also had created a short public service announcement video, depicting the adverse effect of losing historic structures. In 2011, the City hired a Historic Preservation Planner, Warren Adams, to oversee the program which included a significant public education component. In 2012, a grant application was submitted to the Florida Division of Historical Resources for funding for the Downtown and Cemetery Heritage Trails, informational brochures and an online interactive map with Quick Response codes. The application received full funding and was completed in 2014. The City submitted another grant application to the Florida Division of Historical Resources to create a smartphone application. The submittal was ranked number one in the state and funded in 2014, which enabled the City to create a smart phone app to give information on cultural and historical sites in the City. The app is available for free and will work on all smartphones. Information was also included about reknown Stained Glass Artist Conrad Pickel who had a studio at the old art deco building north of the Woman's Club, known as Fantasia. The Boynton Woman's Club was Nationally Registered in 1979 and the Boynton School was similarly registered in 1994. Mr. Rumpf gave a presentation reviewing the information in the handouts, which are attached to the minutes. Warren Adams wrote the Guidelines. He explained in 1996 the oldest and most unique homes were identified for designation and it was thought the local registry was the most important. The inventory had over 100 sites in the City. The master site file form is a state database of historic properties that are classified as historic, which are 50 years or older. Also included in the overview was the designation of historic districts which is a cluster of homes, which can be achieved if voted or supported by a group of 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 10, 2020 property owners. Homes can be contributing or non-contributing structures. The program provided for Asset Education and Certificates of Appropriateness, which is a review of permit applications for designated properties. There is a tax advantage to be historic property in Ad valorem taxes. Mr. Rumpf reviewed the CLG requirements, which involves him sending a report to the State every year. The Board's principle responsibilities are mainly to administer the program. Mr. Rumpf processes the applications and the Board takes final action. Designation review are reviewed by Board and then the City Commission. The Board has final review of Certificate of Appropriateness Applications. The Codes for review of historic designated properties was contained in the meeting materials. Mr. Ramiccio inquired if a request is received, if they review materials and styles such as awnings and learned the City has stringent program with flexibility in it. The program follows the Secretary of the Interior guidelines about making changes to historic properties. An awning is temporary fixture. A Certificate of Appropriateness review has greater scrutiny for the front of the building and lesser reviews for sides and back of a building out of view. The guidelines do not have a lot of teeth to govern colors and mostly ® pertains to just the structure. Mr. Lowe asked about buildings and learned that buildings that were relocated have to be reviewed by the Board. They have to be on the local register for the Board to review. The last two pages on the handouts contained properties on the list. Relocation is not easy because the structure is registered to a specific site, and the Board would have to remove the designation via a recommendation to the City Commission. If the Andrews home was moved to the Cottage District, the home is not on the local list. The Magnuson house in on the list and would have to be removed and moved and then reconsidered. Mr. Adams thought once moved, they could create a District. Discussion followed there were only nine historic properties. He has what was lost since 1996 and learned they are losing valuable resources. Mr. Rumpf signs off on Historic Preservation demolition permits and when he does, he visits the premises and take pictures. There is no money to invest and maintain them. One is in the Cottage District by CRA, another home by the Railroad also by CRA assembled for development. Another home had a fire. Chair Ready explained when they established the program, they document the homes inside and out before demolition so they have records. If there is time, if they have access, they could salvage something unique. The Women's Circle building on 4th was almost moved, but it fell through. Mr. Wilson thought the members could try to be proactive, look at homes and engage people, but it is small pickings. Mr. Wilson also noted they fell short of a historic district by one vote. Mr. Ramiccio thought there should be a moratorium issued, but if the homeowner wants to demolish the home, there was nothing the Board could do. Mr. Wilson commented Bob Katz acquired quite a few parcels downtown and his idea was to redo them. He wanted the Anders House to be a 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 10, 2020 historical museum, but he passed away at an early age. a lot of the parcels were purchased 20 years ago and the status of the parcels were the 400 block of East Ocean from the Plaza Shoppe and E. Ocean Cafe will be gone in about two and three years. Mr. Ramiccio thought somewhere down the line the vision changed. Preservation is important, and in some areas, there were some transformations in neighborhoods. Chair Ready wanted to encourage the Board to designate that area as a District because it is endangered because of zoning. The homes backing up to businesses along Boynton Beach Boulevard are included in the rezoning and redistricting. Mr. Adams spoke to those property owners, but the house had sold and the letter went to the new owner and a response was not received. Mr. Ramiccio thought have grant monies to help with windows and doors and other improvements of historic homes would be helpful. Mr. Rumpf explained there were absent votes with their attempt to create a Historic District. Mr. Lowe inquired why Mr. Adams was not replaced. Mr. Rumpf responded it was due to the budget. Development activity is high and the pandemic has had little effect on it. The City has a Historic Preservation program in place, and comparing someone to handle a specialized need versus the needs the City has, the City allocated the resources to the greater need. There are limited funds and they hope existing staff can sustain the program. Mr. Lowe thought the City should have a full-time planner, since all the other cities have them. It was explained the City Commission has challenges to balance the budget each year, and the decision is made by the City Commission. Mr. Ramiccio suggested working on next year's budget, and he offered to work with the Planning Department to help direct design of new buildings. Mr. Rumpf explained there have been design talks with the Villages and discussions what that character should be. There was never discussion to guide design towards nostalgic direction, only coastal styled buildings and the idea was, if they cannot keep all the older buildings, they can guide the design of the new buildings so there would not contract with them. When the City assembled lots on S. Seacrest, it affected the nostalgic character of the area. Some cities have great contrasting styles, but not with character. Discussion followed about having an architectural review board to be aesthetically responsible to the area. within a pocket of space next to other historic properties. Mr. Rumpf explained the Mayor is promoting adding commercial uses in residential zones on main corridors such as Seacrest as well as expanding home-based businesses. Mr. Rumpf was in Jupiter at a Historic Preservation conference they have reg that allows adaptive reuses on certain corridors that allows it to be used, without rezoning for certain uses and home-based business to maintain historic properties, along with rules, allowances and reduction in applicable codes for parking. Mr. Ramiccio asked if it was accomplished via special exception, and learned it has not taken shape yet, it was only discussed. Commercial has a certain connotation. Mr. Feldman referenced Delray Beach and explained it would allow an old house to have an acupuncture or a professional office. An overlay district could be used. If they put it through a review process, they can attached conditional use. As for home-based businesses, it was modified to allow one outside person to work with the business. Mr. Rumpf requested the members think outside of the box. 4 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 10, 2020 Photos of the before and after of the Old High School was viewed. With the new codes in place, the Old High School lost some of its historic zeal. If a property comes to the board for a Certificate of Appropriateness, they are included in the packet or provide the members to where the regulations are. All regulations are published online on American Legal. Mr. Tidwell loves the Conrad Pickel building and commented they have tried, to no avail to talk to anyone about landmarking the building. Chair Ready agreed. Historical Society also tried unsuccessfully to include the building in the Conrad Pickel tour. Mr. Pickel designed the mason and block building and he put his stained glass in it. They need to work hard to get it. He lived on the northwest corner of Pence Park and had a studio. Mr. Tidwell was working on a Kennedy building and the only thing that was landmarked was the wall. He thought the members should look for significant pieces Chair Ready noted they have designated snippets like an old entranceway where 1-95 bifurcated and by the piers by the VFW. She recalled Stor-all promised to build a matching stanchion because the Board designated the stanchion and a few other things, such as lighting north of Boynton Beach Boulevard. Mr. Ramiccio mentioned the lighting on Ocean Avenue was antique looking. There was a map of designated site in the meeting materials. The Historic Resource Preservation Board program is not a budgeted item. They look at grants. It was pointed out the CRA purchased the Woman's Club and grants were obtained to repair it. The Cottage District and the Magnuson House are within the CRA District. One initiative Mr. Rumpf wanted to return to was the annual educational process of notifying owners of key properties that they have a valuable property. It is not a take-over of the property and the property owner has rights. The Board has to carry the energy because there are no staff resources. The CLG requirements are to maintain the property, but the members should get the word out. Mr. Ramiccio when was the last time the board presented to the City Commission on the value of Historic Preservation. He questioned if it should be done annually or quarterly. He thought they may not have enough information to determine the value. He would talk about ad valorem taxes and what they are trying to do. It can work in harmony, but they have to have a vision. Someone needs to have an overall vision. Right now, they have a blank canvas. He thought if development occurs based on zoning, it would be a mess. The old can be melded with the new. He thought the Board should get involved and help shape the program otherwise money or greed and tall buildings will take over. Chair Ready explained their focus was on saving the Old High School. They focus on structures from the 20s to 40s, and post war homes. Leisureville was a contributing factor to Boynton Beach. All the condos along the Intracoastal Waterway are old enough to be designated. but it is tricky to get 51%approval. There is an inherent fear, when discussing designation, that designation is too restrictive; however, the Ordinance was purposely created not to be restrictive. Mr. Ramiccio noted in 80s and 90s when Lake Worth started their district, all said no one would buy because they cannot do this and that and they have to educate the public about the value of Historic Preservation. He thought if looking 5 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 10, 2020 at Lake Worth now, the growth has been tremendous. Mr. Lowe reiterated the need to have a dedicated person to keep working on historic preservation all the time. The members attend the meetings. They leave and come back and start all over again. Chair Ready suggested thinking of what they could do to convince residents at the first district, to form a district. Do they go talking door-to-door? They have information about the program and community pride. It would be a badge of honor. Mr. Lowe thought someone was needed to plan it out. Mr. Rumpf is the Director of Development Services and he does not have a dedicated person except for the program. There is not a lot of surplus staff time, and they do not have a large Planning Department. Community Improvements only has two people. They are pretty busy. He does not have a team of planners. Even updating the Master Site File is a major effort They have used interns to update the file. Mr. Tidwell noted the Town of Palm Beach does not have a planner, but has staff who is a first point of contact, for the landmark side. They hire consultants and they are the ones if they wanted to inquire about landmarking a house, they are the ones who conduct the survey. The Palm Beach Preservation non-profit hired interns who conducted surveys all summer and created the history of three streets. After they conducted the surveys, they created an overlay district. Consultants and interns helped. Mr. Lowe commented there are interns at FAU who can help. Mr. Ramiccio noted Frederique started out in Lake Worth as an intern for their Historic Preservation program and then moved over to West Palm Beach, eventually becoming their point person for historic preservation. 7. Future Agenda Items A. Old High School (nka the Cultural Center) — Status on renovation project and plans for occupancy and use. B. Woman's Club of Boynton Beach — Update on renovation project and plans for use and leasing. C. Historic Trail Markers— Status of replacing damaged and removed trail markers. D. Historic plaques for designated properties— Status of establishing a marker program for designated properties. E. Website development— Status of website information for public access to property designations and resources Chair Ready requested the members jot down ideas for Future Agenda Items. 6 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 10, 2020 The members introduced themselves. Mr. Ramiccio commented he was born and raised in Palm Beach County. He attended Lake Worth High School He had two businesses on Dixie Highway and Lake Worth Road, the then had car washes. He was not happy with government. In the early 1980s, he ran for City Commission; in 1980 served as City Commissioner, then Vice Mayor, Mayor and President of the Chamber of Commerce. He has 10 years of experience with historic preservation and planning and development. Wants to contribute however he can. Before he moved here, he never lived or worked west of Dixie Highway. Mr. Tidwell, III, has lived in Palm Beach County for 22 years, and also never lived west of Dixie Highway and the Intracoastal Waterway. He started in Delray in 1974. Mr. Lowe was from Maryland and moved to the area in 1990. He is at FAU and is now the Department Chair. His degree is from Georgetown University, and he got involved in saving the Old High School As a historian, he wants to help the City. Mr. Wilson moved to this area when he was one. He lived in Delray and Boca Raton and moved to Boynton in 1972. He worked for FPL for many years to educate customers on conservation. Five or six years ago, he started his own business and does corporate and individual private events for photography. A teacher and his father created his interest in historic preservation. The Old High School has been talked about since 2001. In 2015, he met Chair Ready. Mr. Feldman was born and raised in Florida in Miami, Martin County, Gainesville and other areas, and has lived in Boynton Beach for 10 years. He purchased a historic home about six years ago. He is a property insurance attorney and owner of a record store in West Palm Beach. Chair Ready has been a community volunteer for 40 years, a PTA President for years, and has been involved with School Advisory Committees and Little League sports. She got involved with the City and served on the Education and Youth Advisory Board and then the Arts Commission as Chair. In 2006, she became aware of the battle to save the Old High School. The leadership at that time wanted to demolish it. She realized the Historic Preservation Ordinance had three paragraphs. She contacted Harvey Oyer who was a big help inspiring her to ensure they had a Historic Preservation Ordinance. The City created an Ad Hoc Committee and she went to all the meetings. Mr. Rumpf explained Future Agenda Items was added to the agenda, similar to the City Commission agendas. Some items that were Old business or ongoing topics, some are just awareness, which he would discuss at the next meeting. Mr. Rumpf also advised they are trying to develop a Historic Preservation House plaque. The most affordable cost-effective plaque was aluminum. It is challenging to be replicated by a designer and foundry. 7 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 10, 2020 Chair Ready explained she is on Boynton Beach Historical Society and she got them to help pay for the plaque but they want to know how much, and need to finalize the design. 8. Other None. 9. Comments by members Mr. Tidwell asked if the Woman's Club was designated and learned it was. Chair Ready understood the Woman's Club handled the designation as it is an Addison Mizner building. Chair Ready announced Historical Society Members Janet Devries and Ginger Pedersen wrote a new book, "Pandemic in Paradise" and the profits will benefit nurses association. It is a compilation of about 60 memories from different people. The book is on sale on Amazon. Mr. Rumpf advised in order to maintain CLG status, the Board need four meetings per year. This meeting was the second meeting and September will be their third. He will contact the State but thought there would be an exception made. 10. Public comments None. 11. Announce date of next meeting — September 14, 2020 12. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Ready adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m. p' f t Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 8