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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-04 - Historic Landmarks Commission Minutes MINUTES DESCHUTES COUNTY HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION DESCHUTES SERVICES CENTER 1300 NW WALL STREET , BEND , OREGON , 97701 FEBRUARY 4, 2013 – 5:30 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stenman called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Members present were Chris Horting-Jones, Bill Olsen, Sharon Leighty, Kelly Madden, Ray Solley, Dennis Schmidling, Rachel Stemach, and Broc Stenman. County staff present were Nick Lelack, Planning Director, Peter Gutowsky, Principal Planner, and Cynthia Smidt, Associate Planner. City of Sisters staff present was Pauline Hardie, Community Development Director. The minutes of November 5, 2013, were approved as amended. II. PUBLIC COMMENTS Steve Johnson with Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) and Liz Dickson, attorney representing COID provided an overview of recently developed issues revolving around the Cline Falls Power Plant historic resource. County staff (Smidt and Lelack) also provided County related information and procedures. III. PHOTO PROJECT INTRODUCTIONS – Cynthia Smidt A 2013 CLG grant project includes photographing the nationally and locally designated historic properties and structures in rural Deschutes County and the city of Sisters. Mary Alice Willson of the Cascade Camera Club has taken interest in assisting the Commission with this project. Ms. Willson was present for introductions, questions, and general information. A subcommittee was created for establishing photograph protocol and includes Commissioners Schmidling, Horting-Jones, and Madden. IV. HLC General UPDATES – Cynthia Smidt Field Trips – Cynthia provided an update regarding last field trip. Field trip photo availability is forthcoming. The Commission expressed interest in future field trips, possibly in April. Moreover, the Commission agrees that if there is a proposal to alter a historic resource, a field trip to the site prior to making a decision is a good idea. Peter and Cynthia noted that for proposal that may go to a public hearing, field trips should be done individually or with as a non-quorum group. 2 Historic Preservation Month – The Committee established a subcommittee to work on historic preservation month activities. The subcommittee includes Commissioners Leighty, Stemach, Solley, and Madden. 1 Commissioner Leighty motioned that annually the Commission reach out via letter to property owners of designated historic resources as a means of education. Preferably, the letters will be sent in conjunction with Historic Preservation Month. Second by Commissioner Olsen and approved unanimously. Historical Preservation Website / Mobile Application – Cynthia provided an update on the mobile application project. This project was removed from the CLG grant proposal. V. SISTERS WPA STAMP RELOCATION – Pauline Hardie Pauline provided an overview of the Work Projects Administration (WPA) stamp relocation project. Two of the three stamps need to be relocated. Discussion ensued. The Commissioners provided feedback regarding options. Commissioner Olsen motioned the following prioritized order of options. Second by Commissioner Horting-Jones and approved unanimously. The Commission approved the WPA stamps preservation in the following prioritized order. 1. The Commission recommended placing the WPA stamps back in their exact location. 2. If #1 is not possible, the Commission recommended locating the WPS Stamp within an interpretive display near its original location. If a new landscaped bulb- out is constructed near the WPA stamp’s old location, the Commission recommended locating it there. It is preferable that their original location and a brief explanation accompany the stamps. 3. If #1 and #2 are not possible, the Commission recommended locating an outdoor interpretive display (monument) of the WPA Stamps at the Old Sisters High School since it was built by the WPA program and is a Nationally Registered Historical Place. It is preferable that their original location and a brief explanation accompany the stamps. VI. CLG GRANT APPLICATION REVIEW – Peter Gutowsky and Cynthia Smidt Cynthia provided an initial overview of the CLG application and adjustments made to the application based on the reduced funding allocation. Peter provided additional detail. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Leighty motioned the draft CLG knowing the details will be worked out later. Second by Commissioner Horting-Jones and approved unanimously. VII. PETERSEN ROCK GARDENS NOMINATION REVIEW – Cynthia Smidt Cynthia provided brief overview of Petersen Rock Garden status. The State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation is requesting review by the Commission prior to their February 15 meeting in Beaverton. The Commission discussed the nomination and provided comments. The Commission did not want to make a formal recommendation. However, they did provide the following comments. Commissioner Leighty motioned the 1 At the end of the meeting, Commissioner Madden withdrew from the subcommittee. 3 following comments regarding the nomination. Second by Commissioner Olsen and approved unanimously. 1. The Commission found the nomination lacked specificity regarding what is contributing and non-contributing. Also noted was the lack of historical landscaping and planting. 2. The Commission found the research to be good. However, some subjective comments were not footnoted and therefore, the tone did not appear academically substantiated. 3. The Commission was concerned with the lack photographic documentation of the site and associated features. Suggestions included having more site photos, an aerial photo, and photos showing historic and current views of features. There was consensus with the Commission that a presentation, by either the author of the nomination or property owner of the site, precedes the Commissions review of a proposed nomination. Staff agreed to contact Owen Evans and the property owner, Susan Caward, for educational purposes and regarding proposed improvements. Chair Stenman requested that before and after photos be provided by Mr. Evans and Mr. Caward. VIII. COMMISSION / STAFF COMMENTS None IX. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Smidt Associate Planner