Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission - Meeting Date: 10/28/2004 MINUTES OF MEETING CITY OF GLENDALE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION GLENDALE COUNCIL CHAMBERS BUILDING CONFERENCE ROOM 2A 5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85301 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2004 7:00 P.M. The regular meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 P.M. by Chairperson Becky Shady, with the following members and representatives present: COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Becky Jo Shady, Chairperson Ruth Byrne Linda Trumble Brad Berner Carl Jordan COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Ruth Winterholler David Jarnigan STAFF PRESENT: Ron Short, Staff Liaison Lynn Crance, Recording Secretary GUESTS: Karen Aborne Helen Prier, Phoenix Historic Districts Coalition Dr. Ruth Marsten, Phoenix Historic Districts Coalition Chairperson Shady welcomed those present and explained the rules and procedures governing the meeting. Chairperson Shady dispensed with the reading of the minutes from the August 26, 2004 Regular meeting. A MOTION to APPROVE the minutes was MADE by Commissioner Jordan, SECONDED by Commissioner Berner, and PASSED unanimously. Chairperson Shady called for Business from the Floor. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 28, 2004 Page 2 Ms. Karen Aborne announced that 4.8 acres of her neighborhood are in escrow and the developer is talking about building 16 to 22 homes. She expressed her concerns regarding a house on the site, which is possibly a historic property and that the rural zoning of the acreage is threatened. She stated that the developer has asked to meet informally with the neighborhood this Saturday, October 6, 2004, at 8:30 a.m. Ms. Aborne invited the Commission to attend the meeting. She asked the Commission for ideas on how to preserve the rural character of the neighborhood. Chairperson Shady called for Withdrawals or Continuances. There were none. Chairperson Shady called for the Public Hearing Items. There were none. Chairperson Shady called for Other Business. Phoenix Historic Districts Coalition Dr. Ruth Marsten, of the Phoenix Historic Districts Coalition, explained that the coalition began in 1996 with approximately 20 historic districts. She said they currently have 35 districts, comprised of 7,000 homes. Dr. Marsten stated that the purpose in establishing the coalition was to help the neighborhoods speak as one voice, learn from each other, share resources, and disseminate information about historic districts. She said, at an initial meeting, that all of the participants wrote down their three biggest issues, noting that the top issues identified were crime, gaining more political power, historic preservation, traffic mitigation, historic lighting, and the dissemination of information. Dr. Marsten noted that the coalition selected the top three issues from this initial meeting and formed subcommittees that were charged with determining how the coalition should proceed to address the issues. She stated the coalition never applied for 501.3c and that members are not appointed. She explained that the Phoenix Historic Districts Coalition meet on a monthly basis to address problems and projects in the neighborhoods and, at times, do letter writing campaigns. She said that one of their subcommittees developed a Historic Neighborhoods of Phoenix map of the historic districts in Phoenix,which is currently in its fourth edition. Dr. Marsten noted that they have gone through 20,000 maps in less than two years. She said the coalition was involved in the city's redistricting and on the state fairground situation. She stated that they also weighed in on the Warehouse District and fought against locating the stadium in downtown Phoenix. Dr. Marsten said they have also had several meetings with the city and state concerning light rail, particularly in terms of parking. Ms. Helen Prier, also with the Phoenix Historic Districts Coalition, explained that the light rail is adjacent to historic neighborhoods that and a power substation will be adjacent to the Roosevelt neighborhood. She said one of the major issues is ensuring that the building of the substation does not intrude on the architecture of the historic neighborhood. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 28, 2004 Page 3 In regards to the power substation, Dr. Marsten noted that the neighborhoods have hired artists to create art for each of the station platforms, which reflect the character of each neighborhood. She stated that Franklin School, which is just across McDowell Avenue from the fairgrounds, has been sold to the Phoenix Union High School District and placed on the National, State, and City Registers of Historic Buildings and will be a First Responder's Academy. Dr. Marsten emphasized the importance of partnerships, stating they are necessary to save historic commercial buildings. She noted that the City of Phoenix also purchased Monroe School, which will be turned into the Phoenix Family Museum. She encouraged the Commission to build a database and use computers to help advance its issues and accurately track the demographics for each of its neighborhoods. Dr. Marsten noted that the old Basha's store on Osborn Street and Indian School Road was declining and going to shut down due to a misunderstanding of the area's demographics, but is now being remodeled and doing well. She said that the store recently held a free breakfast where 300 neighbors attended to celebrate the reopening and that the city police department and manager of the store volunteered their services. She said the Police Department weighs in on almost every event and attends coalition meetings when possible. Ms. Prier suggested that the Glendale Historic Preservation Commission conduct farm tours, complete with a petting zoo, to let people see how life is different in historic areas. She explained that Phoenix conducts Historic Neighborhood tours and charges $10 per person, noting her neighborhood now has almost $200,000 in a reserve account known as a "war chest". She also suggested that the Glendale Historic Preservation Commission conduct home and bus tours for a fee, stating they take a lot of work, but help bring the community together. She noted her neighborhood also holds neighborhood yard sales twice a year to bring people to the area. Dr. Marsten described a past situation wherein the residents sued the Board of Adjustment (BOA) concerning an infill housing project the BOA approved, explaining neighborhoods with money in their"war chest"contributed thousands of dollars towards the appeal. She reported the neighborhood's appeal was ultimately successful. Ms. Prier stated that they are currently working with a building expert, Mr. Paul Barnes, on an appeal of variances granted in the Warehouse District, noting the appeal will come before the Board of Adjustment next week. She explained that the Warehouse District is set-aside in the General Plan as an Arts and Entertainment District for Pedestrian Use and is subject to specific height requirements. She noted that the developer went to the Zoning Hearing Officer and requested a variance for which he was only required to notify people within 150 feet of the site. She stated the developer was granted a variance to build 253 feet high. She stated they have since submitted a 58-page packet of information, including a protest petition with 711 signatures and legal arguments. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 28, 2004 Page 4 Ms. Prier said the coalition is also sitting in on meetings concerning the new downtown ASU campus, explaining that they have concerns about preserving the context of some of the historic buildings as well as the impact student housing and traffic will have on the area. Dr. Marsten stated that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has always been very supportive of the coalition and has worked with them on many projects. Date Change for November and December Meeting Chairperson Shady recommended that they move the November meeting to November 18, 2004, and vacate the December meeting. A MOTION to move the Commission's November meeting to November 18, 2004, and to vacate the December meeting was MADE by Commissioner Trumble, seconded by Commissioner Jordan, and PASSED unanimously. CLG Grant Update Mr. Ron Short, Staff Liaison, reported that the Diversity Survey and Top 10 list have been completed. He said they have received approval from the Planning Director on the schedule and talked with Mr. Robert Graham, Consultant with Metropolis Designs, concerning the finances. Mr. Short said they are currently working on the Floracroft subdivision and will set up a meeting for all of the property owners to discuss placing 40 to 50 contributing properties in the area on the National Register. He said he will also talk to residents about the local register. Mr. Short stated that he contacted Glendale Union High School District about getting permission to place the auditorium and possibly the gymnasium on the National Register and that he also sent information and made calls to the Pastor at the Methodist church, but has not yet been able to speak with him. Mr. Short stated that there is $20,000 in the Planning Department budget this fiscal year for the Historic Preservation Commission for the purpose of preparing National Register nominations. He said that the Glendale Grammar School will be considered for the National Register. Mr. Short stated they are also considering the Jeannie O'Brien's house for the National Register, which is a pre-1900 house on the south side of Myrtle Avenue, as well as the houses on both sides. He noted that the Molokan Russian Cemetery is also under consideration, but does not know whom to contact; Karen Aborne mentioned to Ron Short that he might try contacting Becky Johnson, who lives next door to the Molokan Church, as she has communication with the people who maintain the cemetery. Mr. Short said that they are also working on the Displaced Farmers subdivision at the southeast corner of Northern Avenue and 51st Avenue. He stated that the district with the palm trees will be the last area they consider, noting the house and trees at the intersection of Belmont and 59th Avenue have already been torn down. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 28, 2004 Page 5 He reviewed the homes included on the consultant's priority list, noting that he has other homes for which he will attempt to find funding in FY 2005/06. With regard to the Morcomb property, Mr. Short explained that he has been working on receiving support from the various departments to create the area as a historic entryway, noting that the Transportation Department is purchasing the property using "Go-Funds" for the Myrtle Avenue project and a bikeway bridge. He said that the remaining land will then be given to another department and, at that point, they can apply for Heritage Grants to renovate the adobe building and gas station. He stated that various departments have committed to maintaining the grounds and buildings. Heritage Grant Update Mr. Short reported that the State Parks Board approved the city's Heritage Grant for $71,500 on September 23, 2004, noting the total project cost is $178,000. He said Ms. Paula Moloff, Grants Coordinator, is working on the paperwork and, once completed, he will write an agreement for Mr. Bob Graham to begin the historic preservation work. He stated that a letter has been sent to all property owners explaining that the grant has been approved and that a meeting will be scheduled once all of the paperwork has been completed. Mr. Short reported that they are considering an agreement with SHPO that would allow the city, rather than SHPO, to look at historic preservation review on rehabilitations and demolitions. Chairperson Shady called for Staff Report Mr. Short said he has been developing a Historic Preservation display using the donated $600 from the Glendale Civic Pride Ambassador's group. He stated that the Marketing Department is working on the graphics and, once completed, it will be sent to the Commission for approval. He stated that the 2005 CLG Grant application has been completed. Mr. Short distributed the 2005 Work Program, asking the Commissioners to review it and submit any comments and/or suggestions they may have. Chairperson Shady called for Commissioner Comments and Suggestions Chairperson Shady reported that she, Ron Short, and Juanita Buckley attended the September Art's Commission meeting. She said that the Arts Commission seemed enthusiastic about the full size bronze statue of Marty Robbins and has asked the Commission to return on December 15, 2004, to provide further details. She stated that the Marketing Department is also very enthusiastic about the Country Music Festival. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 28, 2004 Page 6 Since there was no further business, A MOTION to ADJOURN the meeting was MADE by Commissioner Trumble, SECONDED by Commissioner Jordan, and PASSED unanimously. Meeting adjourned approximatelyatel8:50 P.M. 0(9 Lynn ance, Recording Secretary