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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission - Meeting Date: 12/12/2013 Historic Preservation 01 GLS Commission Minutes GLENDALE CITY HALL 5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12,2013 4:00 P.M.—CONFERENCE ROOM 2A I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at approximately 4:03 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Commissioners Myers, Lenox, Lund, Versluis, and Chairperson Worsdell were present. Commissioners Absent: Commissioners Wixon and Pimentel were absent. Guest in Attendance: Vice Mayor Knaack City Staff Present: Suzie Ricard, Recording Secretary; Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner; Jon Froke, AICP, Planning Director and Historic Preservation Officer. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Worsdell called for a motion for the approval of the October 3, 2013 meeting minutes. Commissioner Versluis made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Myers seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. IV. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR There was none. V. WITHDRAWALS AND CONTINUANCES There were none. VI. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 1. FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH 17161 NORTH 58TH AVENUE: The Community Revitalization Division has received a request by the property owner to demolish the vacant brick building located at the southeast corner of Myrtle Avenue and 58th Avenue. The Staff Liaison will present the details of the request by the property owner. Jon Froke, Planning Director and Historic Preservation Officer, reviewed the request. He explained that the property had a long history. He stated the Community Revitalization Division had received a request by the property owner to demolish the vacant brick December 12,2013 Minutes Historic Preservation Commission Page 2 building. The building was built in 1928 and has been vacant since 2003. He indicated that the City of Glendale acquired the site and adjacent property from First Southern Baptist Church in 1998. The church decided to relocate their Glendale campus to 59th Avenue and Brown Street. He explained that the acquisition of the site provided the city with additional parking for downtown events. He added that according to the purchase agreement, when and if the city demolishes the existing church building, the church will be provided up to 500 bricks from the structure for memorial purposes. Mr. Froke provided a little history regarding this structure. He stated that on May 24, 2005 the city entered into a development agreement with Vanguard City Home to develop condominiums on vacant land located south of the brick building. He said it was intended by Vanguard to redevelop the brick building into adaptive re-use such as office space, restaurant and retail space. He indicated construction did not advance past the foundation stage as the recession contributed to the stop in construction. In 2007, Vanguard removed a portion of the church on the south facade to accommodate the condominiums. He said that this addition was constructed in 1948. Subsequently, the condominium site was acquired by Rialto Partners and remains unfinished and became an eyesore in the downtown area. He explained the church building was currently owned by Michael Trailor, who was part of Vanguard at the time of the 2005 Development Agreement. He added that Mr. Trailor wishes to have the brick building demolished and the property conveyed back to the city for future use as deemed appropriate by the city. He noted that over the past 10 to 15 years the building has fallen into disrepair and has not been maintained properly and the city has deemed the building unsafe and declared the structure an imminent hazard. Mr. Froke stated staff has carefully reviewed the request for demolition and has approved the demolition based on the circumstances related to the condition of the building and the cost associated with bringing the building up to code. He provided the Commission with photographs and a list of the violations regarding the structure. He noted the building was never listed in the National Register of Historic Places. He explained that it would not be feasible to bring this building up to code since the cost was in the range of$600,000 to a million dollars, which the city does not have. In closing, he asked the Commission to conduct a public hearing and take any public testimony to hear any input on this matter. Commissioner Lund noted that she remembered when this building became vacant and everyone was very interested. She said Ron Short was still in charge then and if this building was to be in the National Register, he would have seen to it. She wondered why they were discussing this issue when the building was not historical and a liability to the city. She said it seemed like a non-issue. Mr. Froke acknowledged he had spoken to Mr. Short regarding this matter to get his opinion. Commissioner Lund asked if there were any conditions or monetary issues the city owes to Vanguard regarding the building. Mr. Froke replied no. He explained there was no 2 December 12,2013 Minutes Historic Preservation Commission Page 3 monetary involvement the Commission or the City has with this action. The funding for the demolition would come from the Community Development Block Grant Funding. Commissioner Versluis asked if a cost for the demolition and removing the asbestos was known. Mr. Froke stated the estimate he received for demolition and asbestos removal was between$50,000 to $100,000 dollars. Commissioner Myers asked if they will replace it with a parking lot. Mr. Froke noted that was one of the plans that was mentioned. He added that another idea was a park as an interim land use. Commissioner Versluis inquired if this was something that could be brought to the public to see if they would like to keep it and raise funds for it. Mr. Froke explained that would be difficult, however, word has gotten out to the public regarding this building and most were in agreement that it was beyond repair. Commissioner Versluis indicated that it was always tragic when a building had to be demolished, since each had its own special history. She wished there was a better option; however, it seemed the building was beyond repair. Commissioner Lund agreed that she does not like getting rid of anything just because it's old; however, the liability to the city was an issue and does not believe they have a choice in the matter. Mr. Froke stated if the Commission agrees with his recommendation, the building will be scheduled for demolition. He stated it will probably happen in early February 2014. Everyone was glad it could be scheduled so quickly. Commissioner Myers wondered if the city can grant the contract to a Glendale company since it is federal money. Mr. Froke believed the company was local, however he will look into it. Chairperson Worsdell opened the public hearing. Vice Mayor Knaack stated she had been on the Save the Church Committee and the City Center Master Plan from the start. She said it had been a struggle since no one wanted to tear down a church. However, her philosophy was that it was no longer a church with parishioners; it became just a building. She explained that looking back on it now they should have gotten rid of it then. She noted most were in agreement to tear it down. Vice Mayor Knaack inquired as to who was currently paying for the temporary security fence. Mr. Froke originally believed it was the property owner but has recently found out it was the city. The Commissioners discussed the issue further and were in agreement that the best course of action for the city and surrounding properties was to demolish the structure. Chairperson Worsdell closed the public hearing. Mr. Froke asked for a formal motion. 3 December 12,2013 Minutes Historic Preservation Commission Page 4 Commissioner Lenox made a motion to demolish the vacant brick building located at the southeast corner of Myrtle Avenue and 58th Avenue. Commissioner Lund seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. VII. OTHER BUSINESS There was none. VIII. STAFF REPORT Mr. Froke wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a joyful Holiday Season. IX. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ADJOURNMENT With no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:48 p.m. NEXT MEETING The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on January 23, 2014. 4