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Home My WebLink About2013-06-24 - Historic Landmarks Commission Minutes MINUTES DESCHUTES COUNTY HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION DESCHUTES SERVICES CENTER 1300 NW WALL STREET , BEND , OREGON , 97701 JUNE 24, 2013 – 5:30 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stenman called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. Historic Landmark Commissioners (HLC) present were Bill Olsen, Sharon Leighty, Kelly Madden (Ex-officio), Rachel Stemach (Ex-officio), and Broc Stenman. County staff present were Nick Lelack, Community Development Director, Peter Gutowsky, Principal Planner, and Cynthia Smidt, Associate Planner. Due to the lack of a quorum at 5:40, Chairman Stenman, with the support of the HLC rearranged the meeting agenda. II. WORK SESSION: US 97 Bend North Corridor Project Chris Bell and Amy Pfeiffer with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) discussed the US 97 Bend North Corridor Project and its focus on a long-term solution to relieve traffic congestion problems. ODOT is in the middle of the Environmental Impact Statement Process. They provided a PowerPoint that discussed: • Project’s brief history and background; • Next steps in the National Environmental Policy Act process associated with a preferred alternative; • 40 historic resources in the area (6 that are eligible for the National Register); • Rock of the Range Covered Bridge; • Swalley Canal; • Opportunities for Deschutes County HLC to be a consulting party; and, • A regularly updated ODOT website (US97Solutions.org). III. DELIBERATION: DR-13-6, Declaratory Ruling Cline Falls Power Plant Declaratory Ruling Chairman Stenman, recognizing that Commissioner Bill Olsen arrived, asked Cyndi Smidt for an introduction. She recapped the staff recommendation. The application before the Commission is an interpretation of Ordinance No. 92-019 and associated documents. The focus of the declaratory ruling centers on the extent of the historic resource at the Cline 2 Falls Power Plant Site. Did the Board of County Commissioners just designate three specific structures or did they also designate the entire Cline Falls Power Plant site? Chairman Stenman summarized that the HLC’s task is to determine what the Board of County Commissioners determined is historic for the Cline Falls Power Plant Site based on the 1992 ordinances and the ESEE Analysis. The HLC needs to determine whether the record: 1. Supports staff’s finding that the entire site, including the dam, penstock and powerhouse is a historic resource; or 2. Supports staff finding with modifications; or 3. Refutes County findings. He noted that the property owner, Central Oregon Irrigation District support’s staff’s findings. Chairman Stenman asked for comments from the Ex-officio members. Kelly Madden stated she believes the entire Cline Falls Power Plant Site is a historic resource. Rachel Stemach concurred. Commissioner Sharon Leighty stated she was in support of the staff recommendation. Commissioner Olsen stated he was also in support, emphasizing that he believed it was the intent of the Board of County Commissioners to include the whole site as a historical resource. Chairman Stenman concurred and entertained a motion. Commissioner Olsen motioned to accept staff’s recommendation with regard to the declaratory ruling. Commissioner Leighty seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously (3-0). Cynthia Smidt acknowledged that she would now prepare a final decision for Chairman Stenman’s signature. Commissioner Leighty recognized Central Oregon Irrigation District and Pacific Corp. for documenting their arguments. Chairman Stenman concurred on behalf of the entire HLC. Nick Lelack clarified that the HLC supports the Chair’s signature on this decision based on what just occurred. There will not be signature blocks for other Commissioners. Cynthia Smidt stated that this type of format was used in the past by the HLC. Lelack noted that Smidt will prepare the final decision for Chairman Stenman’s signature this week. Once the notice is mailed, it then triggers a 12-day appeal period. IV. ENDORSEMENT: TUMALO DAM / HISTORIC SIGN Theresa Holtzapple with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) asked for the HLC’s support regarding installing a sign, recognizing the Tumalo Dam as a historic landmark. Two designs were introduced, each incorporating a BLM and Deschutes County logo. Commissioner Olsen asked how long the sign might last, given the area’s reputation for vandalism. Holtzapple acknowledged that one never knows, but it is worth taking a chance. 3 Kelly Madden asked Holtzapple which sign she prefers. Holtzapple responded that she prefers the one with the “Deschutes Co. Landmark.” Commissioner Leighty acknowledged that using the “Deschutes County Landmark” term is becoming more common and given this request, is precedent setting. Chair Broc Stenman asked if “Deschutes “Co.” could be spelled out, i.e. “County.” The HLC stated their support for that approach. Holtzapple responded that BLM could incorporate “County” language, recognizing that the font size might change. Holtzapple also stated she would coordinate with the Road Department to make sure the color of the sign is acceptable to their standards. Lastly, Holtzapple stated that she received approval for two sets of signs, to be oriented in both directions. BLM has budgeted for this expense. In the future, she mentioned that the next Certified Local Government Grant might provide opportunities to leverage additional funding to place more signs on historic sites. V. CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT (CLG) GRANT UPDATE Request for Proposal (RFP) – Peter Gutowsky provided an update regarding the reconnaissance level survey for historic and recreational properties. Gutowsky recognized Chairman Stenman and Rachel Stemach and Kelly Madden, Ex-officio members for participating on a subcommittee that recently reviewed three proposals. One proposal received unanimous support. Staff is now performing a reference check and based on the feedback, considering a phone interview for Thursday afternoon. Photography Project – Peter Gutowsky provided an update regarding the letters sent to property owners of Goal 5 and National Register properties. An open house is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26 at the Deschutes County Historical Society from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Volunteers, HLC members and County staff will be present to answer questions. Mary Alice, the point person with the volunteers is working with the Personnel Department to make sure all the requisite application forms are on file. The tentative schedule for the photographers is to take photos during a week in July, August, and September. Chairman Stenman asked staff to initiate a follow-up letter to re-familiarize property owners to the project in hopes that they might reconsider providing access. He also asked staff to provide a copy of the letter. Commissioner Leighty asked staff to invite the media to attend the open house. Gutowsky stated he would reach out to the Bulletin’s Deschutes County correspondent. Joint City of Bend / Deschutes County HLC Meeting - Peter Gutowsky discussed the importance of reaching out to the City of Bend’s HLC to coordinate on regional projects in light of the County HLC’s interest in developing a 3-5 year strategic plan. Commissioner Leighty acknowledged that she has begun having those types of conversations with the Central Oregon Visitors Association. She also stressed that the development of a strategic plan contain multiple avenues for community conversations and dialogue. Peter Gutowsky stated he would work with Heidi Kennedy, a City of Bend Senior Planner to schedule a joint meeting in August or September. Petersen Rock Garden – Peter Gutowsky alerted the HLC that the Oregon Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation recently nominated Peterson Rock Garden for the National Register of Historic Places. 4 VI. COMMISSION / STAFF COMMENTS Pauline Hardie, City of Sisters Community Development Director stated that at the August meeting, she will be asking for the HLC’s formal support on facade construction designs associated with four specific buildings. VII. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Commissioner Olsen nominated Commissioner Stenman to a second term as Chairman. Commissioner Leighty seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Stenman abstained. Commissioner Olsen nominated Commissioner Leighty for Vice-Chair. Commissioner Stenman seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Leighty abstained. Regarding the Secretary position, due to Commissioner Christine Horting- Jones’ absence, the Commission agreed to postpone the decision. VIII. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Peter Gutowsky Principal Planner