HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Historic Preservation Commission - 5/6/2024MINUTES
ORO VALLEY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
May 6, 2024
HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM
11000 N. LA CANADA DR.
REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 5:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lee called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Richard Nielsen, Commissioner
Michael Paul, Vice Chair
Auvie Lee, Chair
Absent: Patricia Brown, Commissioner
Staff Present:Tobin Sidles, Legal Services Director
Matthew Jankowski, Parks and Recreation Deputy Director
MaryAnne Tolmie, Recording Secretary
Attendees: Devon Sloan, Oro Valley Historical Society
Michel R Graff, Homeowner 132 E Suffolk
HISTORICAL SOCIETY REPORT ON CURRENT EVENTS
Devon Sloan handed out the attachments to the commissioners to review at their leisure. She added
that the collection committee will be using the Pusch house this summer for research and meetings.
The Memorial bench honoring Henry Zipf was installed today, with a commemoration ceremony in the
future. The Society, Town Staff, and an archaeologist are in the beginning stages of talking about
Steam Pump Ranch, with the focus being on how buildings were built without blueprints. Check their
website for additional videos and oral histories. A pomegranate tree was planted. The Society had a
successful Arizona Gives campaign and thanked those who contributed. Postcards of 3rd graders'
artwork will be for sale in the gift shop. Many docents participated in April's 50th Anniversary parade and
celebration. She concluded that Jim Williams, author of "Oro Valley the First 50 Years", will be speaking
on May 8, 13, and 20, reservations are required and books will be for sale. She invited the commission
to their board meetings on the fourth Thursday of every month at 2 p.m.
DEPARTMENT REPORT ON CURRENT EVENTS
Mr. Jankowski reported that March and April were very busy.
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Mr. Jankowski reported that March and April were very busy.
Completion of two new shade structures at the Community and Recreation Center tennis and
pickleball courts.
Spring break camps were held at the Community and Recreation Center and Steam Pump Ranch.
50th Anniversary festivities included:
A parade on April 6th which included over 90 community entries.
A day-long Celebrate Oro Valley event on April 13th at JDK Park which concluded with a
fantastic band and fireworks.
A community tree planting event was held on April 27th where 67 trees were planted in
four different parks.
Thank you to the community and all the support in celebrating Oro Valley turning 50.
The Vistoso Trails Master Plan document was presented to the Town Council. Staff was directed
to proceed with a focus on redevelopment of the former pond area, which will be converted back
to natural Sonoran Desert, and revegetation efforts throughout the property to address remaining
Bermuda grass and invasive weeds.
Staff is currently preparing for the upcoming summer season, as most of our camps are at
capacity. The Community Center camp filled nine weeks’ worth of 125 campers per week in less
than 36 hours. We have a big summer ahead of us and staff is excited to welcome kids back to
our programs.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT ON CURRENT EVENTS
Councilmember Solomon was absent.
CALL TO AUDIENCE
Chair Lee opened Call to Audience
No one wished to speak
Chair Lee closed Call to Audience
CONSENT AGENDA
1.Review and approval of the February 5, and March 4, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Motion by Chair Auvie Lee, seconded by Commissioner Richard Nielsen to approve the February 5 and
March 4, 2024, Meeting Minutes.
Vote: 3 - 0 Carried
REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
1.WELCOME NEW MEMBER
Patricia Brown was absent.
2.PUBLIC HEARING, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF HISTORICAL
LANDMARK DESIGNATION OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 132 E SUFFOLK DRIVE
Mr. Jankowski offered a brief history of the Historical Landmark Designation, eligibility for this
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Mr. Jankowski offered a brief history of the Historical Landmark Designation, eligibility for this
designation was established in early 2021 by Town staff with the collaboration of two interns from the
University of Arizona. This submission would be the second. The first application, submitted by Carel J.
Bull of 101 W. Suffolk Drive, underwent a public hearing in April 2021. It received the Commission's
approval, and the plaque was presented during the October 2021 meeting. He then went on to brief the
commission about the property at 132 E Suffolk Drive.
The property at 132 E. Suffolk Drive has been brought forth by Michel Graff and Susan Jaap. The
building of this Lusk Corporation Design/Build residence commenced in January 1959. Any
improvements or work completed after the property's original construction has been suitably
documented and has kept the exterior of the building consistent with its original physical attributes. All
necessary supporting documentation have been included with this application. The Planning and Zoning
Department has examined this application to ensure its accuracy.
Chair Lee opened the public hearing.
Linda Snow, and Oro Valley resident and neighbor of Mr. Graff spoke highly of his accomplishments in
preparing the property for submittal and was in favor of the designation.
Mr. Graff indicated this is his second home. The first renovation took five years and was in California.
He moved to Oro Valley two years ago, remodeled the Suffolk Drive home to prepare it for application
for designation. It is his hope that the neighborhood will one day be on the national register.
Chair Lee closed the public hearing.
Vice Chair Paul commended the homeowners. Commissioner Nielsen inquired if it was like the first
designated home. Both homes were built by Lusk, but it has a different model footprint.
Motion by Chair Auvie Lee, seconded by Vice Chair Michael Paul to approve the historic landmark
designation of the property located at 132 E. Suffolk Drive.
Vote: 3 - 0 Carried
3.PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE CHANGES TO THE ORO
VALLEY CULTURAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION PLAN
Chair Lee commented that on February 5, the Commission approved the plan's grammatical and
content revisions. The staff updated photographs, removed appendices, and replaced them with a
resources page including links to additional documents, including those previously found in the
appendices. He requested discussion, and there was none.
Motion by Chair Auvie Lee, seconded by Commissioner Richard Nielsen to approve changes to the Oro
Valley Cultural Heritage Preservation Plan.
Vote: 3 - 0 Carried
4.DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO SELECT A HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MEMBER TO DRAFT A REPORT ON 2023 COMMISSION ACTIVITIES FOR SUBMISSION TO THE
TOWN COUNCIL AND THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE AS PROVIDED IN OVTC §
6-10-5(F)(16)
Chair Lee reported that as part of a Certified Local Government, the Commission must write and
approve an Annual Report of the Historic Preservation Commission each year as part of the National
requirements of Historic Preservation Commissions. The report includes last year's minutes,
applications from newly appointed Commissioners, current Oaths of Office, and activities narrative. Vice
Chair Paul offered that the 2022 he submitted had not been approved. After some discussion, noting
that the 2022 report had not been approved, Mr. Jankowski offered that the unapproved report would be
brought to the same meeting as the 2023 report and could be reviewed at the same time.
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Motion by Chair Auvie Lee, seconded by Commissioner Richard Nielsen to assign the annual report to
Chair Lee, and he will present the report at the next regular meeting.
Vote: 3 - 0 Carried
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Chair Auvie Lee, seconded by Vice Chair Michael Paul to adjourn at 5:27 p.m.
Vote: 3 - 0 Carried
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular session of the
Town of Oro Valley Historic Preservation Commission of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the 6th day of May 2024.
___________________________
MaryAnne Tolmie
Senior Office Specialist
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