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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08132020 Historic Preservation Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 13, 2020 Volume 3,Page 226 CALL TO ORDER The August 13,2020 regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:02 p.m.by Chair Cheryl Seese. OPENING CEREMONY Cheryl Seese led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Cheryl Seese presiding, and Sue- Fred Woelkers Wolfgang Kurtz (telephonically at 6:07 p.m) Mary Ann Benoit(telephonically) Tanguy Libbrecht(telephonically) Sherry Furlong(telephonically) comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Jackie Wilde, Community Development Director(telephonically) Tyler Florence, Parks and Recreation Director(telephonically) Jessica Stallard, Deputy City Clerk Excused—Ward, Woelkers Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING The City of Seward is currently experiencing a declared public health emergency due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), so alternate methods for providing Citizen Comments were created. Unless otherwise noted, the following Citizen Comments were submitted in advance and read into the record by the Deputy City Clerk: Carol Griswold thanked the commission for addressing the Planning & Zoning Commission's resolution to rezone Lots 3, 4-5 and N %2 of Lot 6 Block 16 from Multi-Family Residential(R3)to Commercial Business(CB). She hoped the 2017 Historic Preservation Plan and the Seward Historic District would be considered in this decision.She was concerned that this rezone would impact the landscape and the quiet,residential nature of this block.She encouraged preserving this area in an effort to create a linkage to Seward's past that engaged and inspired Seward's citizens. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Libbrecht/Benoit) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 13, 2020 Volume 3,Page 227 Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following consent agenda items: Approval of the July 9, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes. SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS,AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards—None City Administration Report—None Libbrecht said Library Museum Director Valarie Kingsland had been very helpful in creating the resolution to accept the CLG grant. Chair Report. Seese thanked the commission for doing a good job. Jesse Lee Home—None Community Development Director Jackie Wilde said the contract with the Friends of the 1 Jesse Home expired on August 30,2019 and reverted back into the name of the City of Seward. The paperwork for this change in ownership was not filed,but the City of Seward had owned the Jesse Lee Home and property since August 30,2019.A request for proposal for the demolition,abatement, and removal of hazardous materials at the Jesse Lee Home had been advertised and the requests for proposals were due by Monday, August 17, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. In response to Furlong,Wilde said the city had thousands of pictures and videos of the inside and outside of the Jesse Lee Home, as well as window measurements. Due to the liability and hazardous materials,no one was allowed to enter the Jesse Lee Home.Wilde said she was working with a gentleman who was creating a bronze, life-sized statue of Benny Benson. Fort Raymond Subdivision District—None Wilde said the city had rezoned this piece of land to Auto Commercial. Certified Local Government(CLG) Grant— None Seward Historic Inventory List—None Historic Overlay District—None Wilde said her goal was for the Planning&Zoning Commission to work collaboratively with the Historic Preservation Commission on the Historic Overlay District. She wanted to add certain zoning requirements within the Historic District. Libbrecht appreciated the commission taking an City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 13,2020 Volume 3,Page 228 active role in preserving Seward's history and thanked Wilde for her support. Rockwell Kent. Seese hoped to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Rockwell Kent's first book,"Wilderness",on August 28,2020.The Resurrection Bay Historical Society had agreed to pay a portion of the costs to rent Branson Pavilion for a celebration. Historic Preservation Facebook Page.Benoit said the Facebook page was created on July 7,2020,and on July 27,2020,a memo was submitted to council notifying them that the commission had launched a Facebook page for education,awareness,and community support of the commission and the Historic Preservation Plan. Benoit suggested creating Facebook posts on Hoben Park's history and asking for volunteers to work on Hoben Park. Other Reports,Announcements and Presentations—None PUBLIC HEARINGS—None UNFINISHED BUSINESS Items Postponed from Previous Agenda Discuss the 25 properties the commission identified for historic recognition. Motion (Furlong/Benoit) Add Hoben Park to the list of properties to be identified for historic recognition within the CLG grant. Motion Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2020-03, Recommending Council Accept The 2020 State of Alaska Historic Preservation CLG Grant#20005:Seward Historical Tour:Public Education Signage Project. Motion (Libbrecht/Benoit) Approve Resolution 2020-03 Deputy City Clerk Jessica Stallard said this resolution would be placed on the next available council agenda after it was approved by the commission. In response to Seese, Libbrecht said an extension for this grant could not be requested. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 13,2020 Volume 3,Page 229 Resolution 2020-04, Supporting the Preservation of Lots 3, 4-5 And N %z Of Lot 6 Block 16 Original Townsite of Seward as Multi-Family Residential(R3). Motion (Benoit/Kurtz) Approve Resolution 2020-04 Benoit said some concerned citizens had approached her about the proposed rezoning of Lots 3,4-5,and N'h of Lot 6 Block 16.Libbrecht was concerned about historical lots being rezoned from Multi-Family Residential to Commercial Business. Seese said Seward's small town historic character was what made it a wonderful place to live in and visit,and she was concerned rezoning these lots would compromise Seward's character.Kurtz wanted to offer alternate locations for a cell phone tower rather than simply opposing this rezone. Wilde said city code needed to be changed to address zoning in the Historic District,as well as cell phone towers, but it would take a little over a year to change city code. The Planning & Zoning Commission was holding a work session on August 18,2020 to discuss the cell phone tower code,and she encouraged the commissioners to attend this work session.In response to Seese,Wilde said there was a timeline associated with the rezoning of properties that protected the city and the applicant,and if the rezone was approved,then there was a 10 day period where it could be appealed. She strongly suggested that the Historic Preservation Commission begin working with the Planning &Zoning Commission on a historic overlay code. In response to Kurtz, Wilde said this project had not been brought before the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA)for approval.In response to Libbrecht,Wilde said the ordinance for this rezone would be introduced at the August 24,2020 council meeting and there would be a public hearing at the September 14, 2020 council meeting. Furlong was concerned that not allowing this rezone would hinder Seward's growth and she wondered what the point was of sending a resolution to council on this topic when it had already been approved by the Planning&Zoning Commission. In response to Furlong,Wilde said council had appointed the Historic Preservation Commission as an advisory commission to guide them in the direction the city should be moving,and she encouraged the commission to voice their opinions on this topic by council resolution.Wilde hoped to work collaboratively with the Historic Preservation Commission to create a zoning code that was workable and understandable for everyone.In response to Libbrecht,Wilde said it was uncommon for lots to revert back to their previous district after being rezoned. Motion Passed Yes: Kurtz, Benoit, Libbrecht, Seese No: Furlong Other New Business Discuss the Rockwell Kent Centennial. No discussion was had on this agenda item. City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 13, 2020 Volume 3, Page 230 Discuss Hoben Park. Benoit received permission from the owners of the Ballaine House and Resurrect Art Coffee House to collect shoots or plants from their properties to plant at Hoben Park. She said Forester Mitch Michaud was willing to take core samples of trees at Hoben Park and the Seward Rotary Club was available to dig holes for trees at Hoben Park on September 8, 2020. Parks and Recreation Director Tyler Florence said a volunteer agreement would be needed from anyone who wanted to remove trees or shrubs from Hoben Park. Florence and Parks Operations Supervisor Traci Petersen would be available to meet with the commissioners for a walk- through of Hoben Park on Monday, August 17, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. He said there should not be an issue with putting up a birdhouse at Hoben Park. An arborist recommended the gray material be placed in the hole in the tree trunk to prevent the ingress of water and insects.Florence said he would send any historic files on Hoben Park that he found to the commission. Motion (Benoit/Furlong) Authorize Benoit to purchase potting soil, sand, kurlight, and rooting hormone for planting lilacs in Hoben Park for under $100. Motion Passed Unanimous Discuss the implementation of the CLG grant. No discussion was had on this agenda item. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS —None CITIZEN COMMENTS —None COMMISSION AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Libbrecht apologized for his loud opposition of the rezone. He was very passionate about Seward's history. He appreciated and respected each of the commissioners. Benoit thanked the commissioners for their input and support tonight. Kurtz thanked the commissioners for their attention to detail and their work on Hoben Park. Seese thanked the commissioners for their time. Wilde thanked the commissioners for their hard work. She encouraged the commission to attend the August 18, 2020 Planning&Zoning work session on cell phone tower usage. City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 13,2020 Volume 3,Page 231 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. -1W4X10/ Jessica Stallard Cheryl Ssi-s:16/4111 ----- Deputy City Clerk Chair (City Seal) SEAL ` • ec. t . •• lF OF A-P..•s