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Home My WebLink About2016-01-25 - Historic Landmarks Commission Minutes MINUTES DESCHUTES COUNTY HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION DESCHUTES SERVICES CENTER 1300 NW WALL STREET, BEND, OREGON, 97701 JANUARY 25, 2016 – 5:30 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER Sharon Leighty called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Historic Landmark Commissioners (HLC) present were Sharon Leighty, Broc Stenman, Bill Olsen, Kelly Madden (Ex-Officio), Ray Solley (Ex-offico), and Rachel Stemach (Ex-offico). Staff present were Matt Martin, Associate Planner, Peter Gutowsky, Planning Manager, Nick Lelack, Community Development Director, and Whitney Malkin, Public Information Officer. Board of County Commissioners Chair Alan Unger and Tony DeBone were also present. II. MINUTES Commissioner Stenman motioned to accept the August 3, 2015, and November 2, 2015, HLC meeting minutes, seconded by Commissioner Stemach. The motion passed unanimously. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. IV. I.O.O.F. PAULINA LAKE ODDFELLOWS CABINS UPDATE Erin Woodard, Archaeologist for the United States Forest Service (USFS), provided a PowerPoint presentation on the I.O.O.F. Paulina Lake Cabins including the history, status, and decision points for future plans. The USFS completed a master plan for the Deschutes National Forest 2 years ago and developed a list of buildings to decommission and other buildings in the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District for review to determine if they should be saved, renovated, or let go. Ten buildings were identified including the Elk Lake Ranger Station, Skyliners Lodge, Fall River Guard Station, Paulina Lake Visitors Center, I.O.O.F. Paulina Lake Cabins, China Hat Cabin, Cabin Lake Guard Station, Deschutes Bridge Guard Station, Fox Butte Lookout, and Snow Creek Cabin. The 10 buildings were then categorized by: 1.) Those that are currently in use and generating income (Elk Lake Ranger Station, Skyliners Lodge, Fall River Guard Station, Paulina Lake Visitors Center); 2.) Those to be decommissioned (China Hat Guard Station, Fox Butte Lookout); 3.) Those 2 used as intended (Snow Creek Cabin); and 4.) Undetermined (I.O.O.F. Paulina Lake Cabins, Cabin Lake Guard Station, Deschutes Bridge Guard Station). There remains a decision point on the three buildings where the plans for the structures are undetermined. A brief is being prepared for the District Ranger with options for the buildings. Erin provided a brief overview of the three locations. In 2009, USFS contracted with Heritage Stewardship Group to complete an assessment of the four remaining I.O.O.F. Paulina Lake Cabins to determine the financial investment necessary to bring the cabins back online and the estimate was approximately $250,000. Due to funding limitations, the USFS took no action. In 2015, the USFS reinitiated efforts to explore funding and options for the cabins. In October 2015, HistoriCorps completed an assessment to determine the cost of restoration for HistoriCorps to complete the work. Erin provided an overview of the HistoriCorps workday and assessment. The assessment considered the cost of restoration, renovation, provision of other amenities, and revenue potential from rental after restoration. Erin also highlighted the 25th anniversary of the Newberry Volcanic Monument and planned activities to celebrate including a commemorative beer produced by Worthy Brewing and named after the Oddfellows Cabins with a portion of sales donated to the restoration efforts at the cabins. Assessment of all historic buildings in the District continues as use, funding, and development options are considered. A decision on next steps from the District Ranger is expected in the next few months. V. REVISED PILOT BUTTE CANAL HISTORIC DISTRICT / NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION Matt provided an overview of the background and status of the nomination. Deschutes County Commissioners Unger and DeBone provided comments and discussed a draft letter from the Board to the National Parks Service. The letter outlines the Board’s concerns with the nomination and potential impacts of designation as it relates to water related issues in the Deschutes River Basin. They request the review of or decision on the nomination be suspended until current evaluations within the basin are completed. The HLC shared these same concerns along with the significance, context, and access limitations of the nominated segment of the canal. Additional questions were raised regarding the intent of the nomination as is relates to previous proposals directed at piping of this segment of the canal and the precedence this may set for the future nomination of utilities as a method to preempt changes to the utility infrastructure. Commissioner Stenman motioned that the HLC issue a letter that supports the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioner’s letter and reiterates the concerns with the nomination that the HLC commissioners expressed. Commissioner Madden seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. VI. DESCHUTES COUNTY CENTENNIAL Whitney Malkin and Commissioner DeBone provided an overview and update on the activities planned for the celebration of the Deschutes County Centennial throughout the year and the county. Specific details highlighted include the restoration and display of the 3 1907 Holzman car, student art contest, Centennial Night at the Bend Elks Baseball Game, and a County “birthday” party. These will be in addition to a County presence at car shows, parades, and other community events. Other ideas were suggested and discussed. VII. MAY PRESERVATION MONTH PLANNING Commissioner Stemach provided an overview of the preservation month activity planning to date including event organization, scheduling, and participants. Specific events highlighted include First Friday kick off in Bend, displays throughout the county, endangered places interactive public participation activities, Redmond history walk, bike tour, nature walks, history pub at McMenamin’s, among many others. VIII. REDMOND AND BEND CLG PROJECT ACTIVITIES Matt provided an overview of recent activities going on in Bend and Redmond. Bend activities include review of development requests to demolish, alter, or build new structures in the historic districts. Redmond activities include ongoing planning for historic preservation month, review of 3 additions to the local historic landmarks list (the Roy Holmes House, the Redmond Passenger Depot, and Redmond Freight Depot), review of exterior alterations to the Evergreen School, completion of 5 year historic preservation plan, completion of a historic inventory survey, and exploration of forming a new historic district downtown. IX. COMMISSIONER TERM EXPIRATION/REAPPOINTMENT The terms of the following commissioners expire on March 31, 2016: Chris Horting-Jones, Dennis Schmidling, Broc Stenman, Rachel Stemach, Ray Solley, and Kelly Madden. Commissioner Solley indicated he would not be seeking reappointment. Staff requested confirmation of interest in reappointment by the end of the week. X . COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Madden discussed planning for various HLC field trips. The list will be distributed via e-mail for feedback from the commissioners. Commissioner Olsen discussed the activities associated with preservation of Troy Field. Bend HLC submitted a letter supporting efforts to preserve the field in public ownership. Commissioner Leighty asked about the status of Sisters Historical Society archives. Commissioner Stemach indicated the Deschutes Historical Society Executive Director Kelly Cannon-Miller is meeting with the Sisters Historical Society to review and assess what they need to document their resources and then will come back to the HLC with a plan to work with their resources. Nick Lelack indicated that the 2016-17 Planning Division Work Plan will be discussed at the May HLC meeting. Nick also noted that the County Community Development Department office in Redmond will be relocated to the Evergreen School upon completion 4 of the renovations. Nick announced Zech Heck, an intern who worked on the on-line historic map, has been hired as full time assistant planner. Nick also encouraged commissioners to attend Deschutes County Centennial Night at the June 4th Bend Elks game and offered commissioners complimentary tickets. Commissioner Leighty asked that a joint meeting with the Redmond HLC be explored. VI. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Matthew Martin Associate Planner