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Minutes 03-14-22 Minutes of the Historic Resource Preservation Board Meeting Held on March 14, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers 100 E. Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida Present: Barbara Ready, Chair Mike Rumpf, Board Liaison Thomas Ramiccio Craig Pinder, Planner II Dr. Ben Lowe Michael Wilson Rhonda Sexton, Alternate 1. Call to Order Chair Ready called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. 2. Agenda Approval Motion Mr. Ramiccio moved to approve the agenda as presented. Ms. Sexton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Approval of Minutes — February 14, 2021 Motion Mr. Ramiccio moved to approve. Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Communications and Announcements Mr. Rumpf introduced Craig Pinder, Planner II, in the Planning Department and stated he has been assigned special projects. Mr. Pinder was identified as a replacement for Mr. Rumpf and is his assistant. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture and will be working and shadowing Mr. Rumpf as well as attending these meetings. 5. Old Business: None. 6. New Business: a. Local Registry of Historic Sites — Overview of properties to be reviewed for addition to the City's Local Historic Registry. Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 14, 2022 Mr. Rumpf stated a while ago, the property owner at 413 NE 12th Avenue requested designation. The property is owned by Dr. Meeks-Light, and designation was put on hold until Mr. Rumpf could get assistance with the task. The Meeks-Light property was not in the 1996 inventory as it was not yet 50 years old as it is now. Another property is at 330 NW 1 st Avenue. The City was contacted by an architect representing the property owner who would be making improvements to the property. Information on the property was included in the 1996 inventory. It is a good example of a mission-style house with minimal alterations. Mr. Rumpf explained the program and the tax exemption program the owner can qualify for. He has an application and is a willing applicant. Chair Ready thought they should reinitiate those efforts to have a Historic District with the 330 NW 1 st Avenue property. Another property the Board had discussed was the first recommended Board initiated designation review at 419 SE 4th Street. The house was owned by Susan J. Mize, and is a 1924 home that is included in the survey. Research was done on the house and they were given conceptual design plans. The expansion is on the rear of the house, which is the least impactful. The home is owned by Dennis and Cheryl Meadows. Mr. Rumpf spoke to Ms. Meadows about the program and she has some questions. Warren Adams, the City's Historic Resource Preservation Consultant, will assist and Mr. Rumpf will advise the Board of the application status. Mr. Rumpf gave Mr. Adams a scope of service which broke down the tasks he would handle which included designation reviews, application and background research, summary recommendation and handling the Certificate of Appropriateness reviews. If the property owner of 330 NW 1St Avenue opts to move forward with designation, Mr. Adams will conduct the Certificate of Appropriateness review when the property submits permits. The funds for Mr. Adams were included in Mr. Rumpf's budget. He will be paid $1,500 per designation review. Plan A was to get a full-time planner. Plan B was to hire a part-time planner. Plan C was what they are doing now. They have to update the inventory and using interns will be on the horizon. Chair Ready noted the fagade of this house is what she would like to see in the CRA Cottage District, which was a Spanish mission style. It is a good idea to have a style. Ms. Sexton agreed the mission style is a favorite of hers as well. There are other"cottagey" looking homes. The original idea for the Cottage District was to have individual homes. Ms. Sexton noted the lots have about 700 square feet and the depth of the yards was about 125 feet. The original lots platted on the street were 25 feet wide. There was an alley in the back which was pretty much abandoned. There is no street, but FPL has equipment on one end of it and the City mows it. It would be nice if they abandoned it and made it an easement. Chair Ready asked if the owner knows they can seek an abandonment of the alley behind it and thought all the abutting property owners could request the abandonment. b. Amendments to LDRs and Historic Preservation Program — Review of 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 14, 2022 proposed amendments to the Land Development Regulations and Historic Preservation Ordinance intended to increase incentives for historic preservation and remove possible impediments to preserving local historic assets. Mr. Rumpf explained at the last meeting, topics regarding demolition of historic structures and current activities around the Meadows house was discussed. According to the current Land Development Regulations, the 419 SE 4th Street home requires full block assembly to be developed in a mixed-use development district which has increased density and height along with other development standards. The Meadows home, without the property owners willing to sell, it will sit as a notch in the assembly. With the way the regulations are listed, that can prevent the assembly from qualifying with the mixed-use regulations to have a uniform streetscape. Redevelopment planning initiatives and historic preservation initiatives were competing. Mr. Rumpf also realized there are so few of these homes where this could occur that would be so destructive to the redevelopment plan vision, and there are very few of those home that are owned by people who are willing to preserve their properties, keeping in mind the homes have a place in the fabric of the street in the redevelopment area. Mr. Rumpf thought they can coexist with compatible development. As for demolition regulations, right now the regulations only halt demolition permits involving a designated property and not an eligible property. Mr. Rumpf reviewed the provisions in the Code of which the members had a draft. There are amendments that remove impediments to preservation or add incentives for preservation. Mr. Rumpf evaluated the provisions for possible additional changes to the regulations to promote preservation. Mr. Rumpf referenced the Historic Preservation Ordinance Chapter 4, Article 9, Section 6 and the Land Development Regulations chapter 4 Article 3, Section 1 and 5 as contained in the handout. Under Unsafe building protocols a Building Official can deem a building dilapidated to a certain degree unsafe and needing to be demolished. They can trigger a demolition process. The purpose is to delay for a cert of appropriate review by staff and this board for preservation purposes in accord with the ordinance and it outlines the actions by the building official. If it is unsafe, he can bypass the regs and can go immediately go to demolition. If not unsafe, there is a process to follow. There is a Certificate of Appropriateness process and include a replacement plan. A property can put in a hardship statement justify it, which could get the demolition permit approved. It also proposed to include eligible properties for designation that were 50 years old or older and was more aggressive. This would flag eligible properties to be treated similarly. He does not want a property thrown into the process if it is not eligible. Mr. Rumpf reviewed the proposed amendments as contained in the meeting materials. The amendments pertained to Unsafe Building Protocols, Justification for a Variance, Demolition Permit Process in the Land Development Regulations Chapter 4, Article IX, Section 6. Other amendments proposed to the Land Development Regulations, Chapter 4, Article III, Sections one and five gave criteria for exemptions from certain building and site regulations, Mixed-Use Redevelopment Criteria requiring full block assembly, non-conforming Use Regulations exempting historic or eligible sites. 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 14, 2022 Paragraph 1,5 pages in under C, Demoltion, Simultaneous certificates required of the demolition process. It adds additional reasons why they would not be required to go through the Certificate of appropriateness process if good cause showing that the requirement was unduly harsh or cause substantial hardship. Hardship process is defined in the ordinance. The additional criteria was intended to throw out those properties not worthy of review. In time, more and more homes will become older than 50 years. for , Chapter 4, 12t IX, Sec 6, c demolition. Mike added additional criteria which throws out those not worthy of review. It has to be older than 50 years. 5 pages in on the exhibit, 6B. To balance it out, Mr. Rumpf threw in exception criteria. They added a lot more properties but added criteria to screen them. Discussion ensued about the need for the education process to occur now including graphs. It was important to show property owners what potentially could happen with their home and how the Board could help by partnering with funding to make period appropriate repairs or upgrades. It was thought an Ordinance change could create a system for demolition. At another time, the Board could offer the incentives. If there is no process or funding, a developer will come through and demolish the structure, or through neglect, the same thing would occur. Mr. Ramiccio and Dr. Lower thought they have a great opportunity to further the program with the new Commission. They were at a community forum and they started talking about historic preservation. They also learned the City will hire a mobility planner. Mr. Ramiccio thought the Board has an opportunity and asked what if the Board can set the criteria what they want to see in a neighborhood that informs developers of what they want to see in a residential neighborhood. He questioned why they could not build a development of bungalow, or Key West styles It would look like it would fit right in. He recalled a rezoning at Lawrence and the Mayor commented they let the developer decide the zoning. He understood there are economics, but thought the City decide the zoning. He was afraid the CRA plan dictates the wrong items. Ms. Sexton thought should take the style and create the development to go along with it. They could get the square footage from the home and have an open porch or create a Cottage District as porches are encouraged. She thought the Board could write a resolution or send a letter to the City Commission because sometimes a formal letter read into the minutes goes further. Chair Ready commented as for incentive programs and funding, she requesting the members think if what kind of things would be done. They cannot just have a wish list. They need to lay out the program. That is why they will work on the goals and strategy. Mr. Ramiccio thought if they do not educate the new Commission now, they have a visioning session with their Boards including the CRA Advisory Board and Historic Preservation Board. They are working off the previous plans and a lot has changed. They have an opportunity to infuse their ideas to them and show why it is important. If the City had $1 M for a program and they started to redevelopment neighborhoods, and the funds could be leveraged with windows replacement and doors, repaving and landscaping. They could offer a whole new package. Some neighborhoods experience neglect and residents need help. Thee would be more historic homes and quality neighborhoods. 4 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 14, 2022 Mr. Rumpf explained the City has a design guideline handbook for historic properties and they need an orientation package. Currently the regulations indicate where a zoning regulation would lead to a variance if regulations adversely impact or threaten historic resource. The variance should be approved. Mr. Rumpf added language to that where it would discourage preservation. Planners like to avoid the variance process. It is based on hardship. Mr. Rumpf reviewed LDR Ch 4, Art III, Secs 1 & 5. He noted Table 3-4 Mixed Use urban building site regulations and stated the only thing that exists in the code now that would exempting historic properties from some of these regulations was footnote 8 locally registered historic structures are not required to meet these standards namely, building setback minimums and build too lines. Those were the exemptions in the mixed use. That Code amendments was put in place, he believed for the Magnuson House. There are many historic properties that are in single family zones. He reviewed a residential zoning district table and added footnote 14 which read each of those lots standards in the left column, locally registered historic structures are not required to meet these standards including improvements to said structures and properties that are approved through the C of Appropriate process (subject to modifications.) The provisions apply to single-family or two-family or multi-family structures within single-family, two-family, multi-family zoning districts. Proposed improvements to said structures or properties shall be reviewed according to the following requirements. Mr. Rumpf explained for most of them, they are exempt from those lot standards and in terms of maximum lot coverage, it allows an additional 10% and building setbacks, if it has a non-conforming setback, the setback cannot be worsened by the expansion. It applies to residential and commercial properties. Mr. Rumpf reviewed non-conforming use regulations and stated if there is a duplex in a single-family feet zoning district, it is a non-conforming use. According to the non- conforming use provisions, one can continue to use the property it but is restricted. It cannot be expanded and the value of improvements to maintain the property are limited on an annual basis. This would exempt designated properties from such standards. There are not many impacted properties in this regard. If non-conforming and designated, they would not want them to be restricted to the standard regulations. As for mixed uses provisions would exempt historic properties. He had specific wording to encourage design of the mixed-use development close by a single family historic or designated property. He noted Footnote 2 under Section E, Mixed-Use Urban Building and Site Standards, Table 3-4, reads "projects must front on 2 intersecting right of way and must have uninterrupted lot frontage. Mr. Rumpf added "An exception shall be made when the interruption is attributed to the existence of a designated historic site or a site that is eligible for designation as determined by the Planning and Zoning Administrator and/or the HRPB. Where possible, project design (of a mixed-use redevelopment project) shall maximize compatibility with the designated site so as to allow the historic asset to richly contribute to the streetscape. Design considerations could include, proper separation and planned open space plazas, transitional building. 5 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 14, 2022 heights, fagade treatment, landscaping and pedestrian amenities. Pedestrian zones bring buildings up to the front to avoid parking lots from being between building and the street and has more engaging features of the building with the streetscape. The pedestrian zone has active areas with outdoor patios, plazas or seating for a commercial building. Mr. Rumpf will enhance the language to ensure compatibility with zero lot lines. It will be tapered. Rights-of-Way usually go to the edge of the sidewalk including the sidewalk and the City's front setback standards for single-family homes is usually 20 or 25 feet, which avoids a drastic deviation. Ms. Sexton commented on the mission-style house on NW 1 st, there is a 50-foot lot. She noted there is a garage that sits right on the property line and there are no regulations regarding 50-foot lots. People will fear they will have to alter something already in existence because it is non-conforming. Mr. Rumpf explained they have non- conforming provisions on a 50-foot lot Dr. Lowe asked if they would vote on the changes. Mr. Rumpf responded he will come back with additional drafts, and when they reach the desired draft, the Board will then vote on it and he will take it through the Code Review Process, which will go before the City Commission. It will also go before the Planning and Development Board. He read the Ordinance and noted the ordinance talks about designated historical sites, there are two different designations which are the National and the Local Boynton Registry. There are details to get on the national registry. There are only two buildings listed and he thought they should try to get more sites listed. He also thought they should designate them to protect them in the meantime. It does not say how to nominate a building for the Boynton Local Register. The Board can designate, but someone has to fill out the application. That is why they brought on Warren Adams. There is a lot involved to fill out the application. Dr. Lowe thought maybe there were more places out to be designated. He asked if the old cemetery is designated as there are notable people buried there. Ms. Sexton suggested the water tower be designated. The Old High School should be designated Mr. Ramiccio thought the process was odd. The only way for a home to be nominated was either by this board, the City Commission or the homeowner. He thought the report Mr. Adams was doing was for national designation. He asked if Mr. Adams would handle the internal City Registry. He suggested taking the stance that all the homes are protected. If the home is more than 50 years old they can deal with it as an important part of the community fabric. A lot of the core is already gone, but there are a lot of neat neighborhoods that could have street signs and identification and they can address them neighborhood by neighborhood. He thought the report should be what it is, including the year, architect and they can find it out from the Property Appraiser. Chair Ready commented when they started the Board, Mr. Adams led the effort. Mr. Ramicco thought the process was cumbersome. Dr. Lowe requested confirmation properties should be assumed to be historic and if not interested, pull them out. Mr. Ramiccio explained Lake Worth is a designated Historic City and what is there was already there. 6 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 14, 2022 They have 1,000 contributing homes with six districts and several national districts. He thought there were some in Boynton Beach. He liked that Mr. Rumpf put an extra layer of more than just staff review. Chair Ready did not object to streamlining the process. Mr. Ramiccio emphasized education and designating individual homes. Districts could be created later via the homes compactness, survey, offering educational programs and incentives. If they ask homeowners to be part of the district without having proper information. In 1996 there was a group he was part of. They did not want to become what was occurring to cities all around them. They got consensus of 51% of each neighborhood after they created a vision, idea and they educated them. They need Mr. Adams to create a PowerPoint they can give to the Commission. Dr. Lowe agreed. He noted the Ordinance refers to a Historic Preservation Planner who is responsible for certain things. They should have one. Ms. Sexton commented she would hate to see the apartment buildings on Ocean Avenue go. Chair Ready commented those are individually owned condominiums. It was suggested the CRA plan should be reviewed. In most cities, the CRA and HRPB clash. Chair Ready requested Mr. Adams put the Old High School on the national register. Some city properties may be designated as well like the cemetery and water tower. Mr. Rumpf explained the difference between a local Historic Preservation Ordinance, and the National Registry. A national registered system does not have the protections applied to locally designated property. All there is on the national level is just a guide how to care for them. A Local Registry has more teeth and protections. Dr. Lowe thought there were a few local registered properties that could also be designated nationally. The Woman's Club is on the local register. Chair Ready commented they need to work on their Strategic Plan. They have missed their opportunity for using interns to help update the inventory. The next available opportunity to use interns is Spring 2023. Dr. Lowe noted Mr. Rumpf asked the members to come up with strategic ideas and some members submitted information. he thought Mr. Rumpf should resend what was submitted and some will involve a cost. Mr. Rumpf will review the current strategic plan against comments that were made. They are making progress. It should be finalized this year and he will give an update on the website Dr. Lowe was aware the City received stimulus funds. They are talking about property owners upgrading their properties, and he asked if they could receive funding. He understood the money was spent. Mr. Rumpf will check with the City. He understood the funds were tied to the pandemic. Chair Ready noted some individuals could not afford to keep their homes up. Dr. Lowe also commented the State had a loose interpretation of how those funds could be spent. Ms. Sexton recalled in Frankfort Kentucky, where she is from, they have a beautiful old building which was the capital. There were buildings constructed in the 1800s. They are 7 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 14, 2022 still standing and have been revitalized and repurposed. In the 1980's when interest rates were very high, the City offered parties who refurbished these properties a 4% loan. She thought making resources available to someone who designated their home as historic would help. Discussion followed the City has the PACE program which would cover the cost of those improvements. Chair Ready commented they had flyers from the University of Florida a few years ago regarding Historic Preservation and a study they had done, which said historic preservation is an economic development strategy. She asked if she could have five brochures. Mr. Rumpf did not think the brochure was updated yearly. Chair Ready suggested giving the brochure to the new City Commission. 7. Other 8. Comments by members Chair Ready invited all to the next Historical Society meeting via Zoom on March 28. The speaker is Sharon Koskoff, a local muralist and an expert on art deco. The program is about Art Deco and Egypt and how Egypt influenced the art deco movement. Ms. Koskoff pointed out the OHS was a bridge piece between art deco and Mediterranean. Mr. Wilson spoke about the 419 NE SE 4t" Street property. He walked around the area down 4t" Street from 5t" Avenue Pence Park and 2nd Avenue. He noted there are some nice historic homes in the area and vacant land, predominantly on the west side. Out of seven residences, five of them are 50 years old or older. Two of the homes were built in 1920, one in 1928 and one in 1930. It is hard to tell what the conditions would be, but they all looked to be in good repair. The property at 407 SE 4t" Street was sold. When looking at the list of property owners, this property has been looked at for redevelopment since 2017 by a company going by the name as 4t" Street LLC. In January 2022, it was resold to 4t" Street Boynton LLC and it looks like there is redevelopment in the works Conrad Pickel had a workshop and primary residence at 425 SE 5t"Avenue. Chair Ready commented if they had a brochure, they could leave it on the door, inviting the owner to become part of the Historic Preservation Program. Chair Ready noted this was the oldest street. Mr. Wilson explained Guy Metcalf built the street. Mr. Metcalf also built a road from Lantana to Lemon City, which is now North Miami. The project was put out to bid and he won it. He started a stagecoach there. Mr. Metcalf also started the first newspaper in Florida. 9. Public comments relative to historic preservation Ernest Mignoli, 710 NE 7t" Street, Unit 407 was present. He stated he is a homeowner that lives in a 45-year old building that is being destroyed by the City because the City won't become involved, especially after the Surfside building collapse. He commented the City Commission will not do anything. He commented with this election that just took place, residents will get three more years of the same. Everything historical is being destroyed. The person who made the presentation works with the Congress Avenue, Mayor Commissioners and developers at another meeting. The developers are buying 8 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 14, 2022 10 historical houses, they let them become dilapidated and then they put up high rises three inches from the street. They are destroying the City and they make it look like they are trying to help. Every Board he has been to has zero power. He noted what was occurring on Ocean and Federal will continue for three more years and all will be destroyed. He thought it was a disgrace. He thought the Board should put public comment in the beginning of the meeting. He had to sit there for two hours, the Board has no power and anything they say will happen will not. Sixty percent of the people voted for the Commission for the last six years, voted for another three years. 10. Announce date of next meeting —April 11, 2022 Chair Ready announced the next meeting. Mr. Rumpf explained the April meeting will put the Board back on their original schedule of meeting every other month. The members can decide in April if they want to meet monthly.. 11. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Chair Ready adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 9