HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-06 - Historic Landmarks Commission Meeting Memo
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 29, 2013
TO: Historic Landmarks Commission
FROM: Peter Gutowsky, Principal Planner
MEETING: May 6, 2013
RE: Historic Landmarks Commission Meeting / Overview
This memorandum briefly discusses the Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) agenda items
scheduled for May 6.
A. Election of Officers
One year ago, Broc Stenman, Bill Olsen, and Christine Horting-Jones were elected Chair, Vice-
Chair and Secretary of the HLC, respectively. The HLC needs to discuss and then formally elect or
reelect members to those three positions.
B. Declaratory Ruling / Cline Falls Power Plant
The HLC will conduct a public hearing to interpret Ordinance 92-019 and associated documents
regarding the Cline Falls Power Plant. Deschutes County as the applicant has submitted a request
for a declaratory ruling to interpret Ordinance 92-019 and historical documents that relate to the
designation of the Cline Falls Power Plant historic site (Attachment 1).
C. Certified Local Government Grant Update
Contract
Deschutes County has signed the Certified Local Government (CLG) grant with the State Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO) (Attachment 2).
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Staff is currently finalizing an RFP for a Reconnaissance Level Survey of Historic Recreational and
Tourism Properties in Rural Deschutes County and the City of Sisters (Attachment 3). Ian Johnson,
a Historian with SHPO recently reviewed the draft RFP and offered the following suggestions:
I had a chance to look over this and it is well conceived and written. My only concern is
that the project scope (recreation properties across Deschutes County) is huge. Simply
-2-
completing the survey work will be challenging given the distances between sites and
multiple jurisdictions. My worry here is that the County would get very general
information of limited use.
In order to develop the type of information needed for an MPD, I suggest that the County
take a multi-year phased approach. For instance, the County could focus on a broad
RLS of a handful of related contexts, lets say winter sports. If the County wants really in-
depth solid information, I would do a single sport or activity, like skiing. Or, if the desire
really is to capture as many properties as possible, then a standard RLS with no context
would be a good approach, although still a tough project to complete.
A phased approach would actually work pretty well for an MPD. Because an MPD can
be easily updated, it is possible to write a general introduction for a broad recreation
MPD, then have the MPD address only a single context - winter sports, or perhaps even
more narrow, like skiing. Later, another context can be added under the general
introduction. A good example is the Enterprise MPD I provided earlier. That one has a
general introduction and four separate related contexts.
In the end, I defer to the County to determine what is doable since each of you are much
more familiar with the resources than I am.
Staff is interested in the HLC’s perspective for customizing the RFP to tailor it to a specific
recreational activity or region. Additionally, once the RFP is officially released, staff would like to
collaborate with an HLC subcommittee to sort through the proposals and select a consultant.
Peterson Rock Garden
Staff will provide the HLC with an update of activities associated with Peterson Rock Garden.
Photo Project
One of the 2013 CLG grant projects is to photograph all the nationally and locally designated
historic properties and structures in rural Deschutes County and the city of Sisters. 1 The
updated photos will improve county records. Furthermore, it will enable staff to create an online
interactive map. This month, staff will coordinate with Mary Alice Wilson, President of the
Cascade Camera Club to complete this work during the summer. As noted at the HLC’s meeting
in February, their involvement would be as volunteers. Incorporating the photos onto Deschutes
County’s website will occur later in the fall. A public presentation of the final product is expected
in Spring 2014.
D. Community Development Department Draft (CDD) Annual Work Program
The draft CDD 2013 Annual Report is being provided as an informational item. It includes
accomplishments over the past year and the proposed FY 2013-14 Work Plan. In addition, the
draft Annual Report includes descriptions of:
1. The BOCC and Administrative staff;
1 A total of 40 properties (36 rural county; 4 Sisters) are recognized on the Deschutes County and City of
Sisters Comprehensive Plan historic resource inventories. In addition, 12 sites are acknowledged on the
National Register of Historic Places (11 rural county; 1 Sisters).
-3-
2. Commissions and committees appointed by the BOCC and County Hearings Officers that
receive CDD technical support;
3. The BOCC’s annual goals and objectives, which inform CDD’s annual work plan and
performance measures;
4. CDD organizational chart, staff contact information, and office locations/availability;
5. A high level budget summary of FY 2010-2012 and staff full-time equivalent (FTE); and
6. The annual (2012) Deschutes County Citizen Involvement Report. The Citizen Involvement
Report is submitted to the State’s Citizen Involvement Advisory Committee (CIAC) each
year. CIAC is appointed by the State’s Land Conservation and Development Commission
(LCDC).
Last Thursday, the Deschutes County Planning Commission recommended the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) approve the draft Work Plan. The BOCC is scheduled to hold a work
session on May 9 to discuss it.
Attachments
1. Cline Falls Power Plant Staff Report and Related Materials
2. CLG Grant Agreement
3. Draft RFP for a Reconnaissance Level Survey of Historic Recreational and Tourism Properties
4. Draft CDD Annual Report